Log In

Reset Password
BERMUDA | RSS PODCAST

Sousa steps down as UBP chairman to seek party election candidacy, Pettingill challenges him to a public debate

First Prev 1 2 Next Last
Jeff Sousa

Jeff Sousa stepped down as UBP chairman yesterday in order to try to become the party's election candidate for Warwick West.

Mr. Sousa is one of three approved candidates seeking adoption by the local branch of the United Bermuda Party; the others are Senator Jeanne Atherden and Roddy Simons.

Branch members will vote on who to adopt at a special meeting on June 23 at 7 p.m. at St. Mary's Church Hall.

Mr. Sousa, 50, had already openly declared his desire to be chosen for constituency 28 and to challenge sitting MP Mark Pettingill, 46, at the next general election.

Mr. Pettingill, who was elected to Parliament as the UBP member for Warwick West but later defected to form the Bermuda Democratic Alliance, told The Royal Gazette last night that he challenged Mr. Sousa to a public debate.

"I believe I have the relevant qualifications to get the job done for people both in the constituency and for the people of Bermuda," he said.

"To that end, I will be more than happy to invite Mr. Sousa to debate me in a public forum on the issues that the country is facing and for him to speak to those issues."

Mr. Sousa responded: "The debating would take place by the people of Warwick West. They'll debate whether they want a representative that wants to be put on a pedestal or one who wants to be their humble servant."

UBP leader Kim Swan issued a press release yesterday announcing that Mr. Sousa had stepped down as chairman.

He said: "As party leader, I thank Jeff for his hard work and reliable presence during his tenure as party chairman. On a personal note, I was impressed by his commitment, his outgoing personality and forthright approach to matters. He has been a pleasure to work with."

Mr. Sousa, president and founder of Sousa's Gardens in Warwick, took over as UBP chairman on an interim basis last September after the seat was vacated by Sean Pitcher.

Mr. Pitcher quit the party with MPs Shawn Crockwell, Donte Hunt and Mr. Pettingill, former senator Michael Fahy and adopted candidate Wayne Scott, to form the BDA.

A new UBP chairman is expected to be drawn from the members of the party's central executive and announced shortly.

Mr. Pettingill, a criminal lawyer, confirmed last night that he would run in the next election. "What we need in Bermuda at this time is people qualified to be members of the legislature," he said.

He said he had proved his worth that evening after tabling changes to the Firearms Amendment Act 2010 which were agreed to by Government. Mr. Pettingill said that required "a degree of experience, legislative know-how and important advocacy".

He added that politics should no longer be approached along party lines, with MPs elected simply because of the party badge they wore and not because they were the best person to do the job.

Mr. Pettingill beat PLP candidate George Scott by 594 to 356 votes in the 2007 general election.

Mark Pettingill