Former Cabinet Minister Terry Lister yesterday launched his Premiership bid by calling for a unified Bermuda and pledging to cut the debt burden.

"Bermuda needs all of us getting in the same boat rowing in the same direction — together," the backbencher told a press conference at Alaska Hall.

Mr. Lister said battles over race and between Bermudians and foreigners must come to end, as must Government's wars against the media and taxi drivers.

His promises included:

• reducing capital spending by reviewing which long-running projects are really needed and working;

• authorising a tax review to find a way of collecting money that's fair to everyone;

• rebuilding tourism by concentrating on the north eastern corridor of the United States;

• reaching out to international business by "dusting off the welcome mat and starting over, listening, facilitating and sharing";

• considering trials without juries to bring justice against gun criminals.

Deputy Premier Paula Cox remains the strong favourite to replace Premier Ewart Brown among Progressive Labour Party delegates, but Mr. Lister enjoys support from an international business community frustrated by the Finance Minister's "cog in the wheel" remark.

PLP MPs are said to be split between Mr. Lister and Ms Cox, with the other contender, Dale Butler, getting much of his backing from outside the party.

Mr. Lister, who is said to have been working hard behind the scenes for weeks, was supported yesterday by a small crowd including backbencher Wayne Perinchief, his brother Phil Perinchief the former Attorney General, and former PLP deputy leader Walter Roberts.

"While I am standing for election, it is not my turn. The truth is it's Bermuda's turn," Mr. Lister said.

"It is time to give Government back to the people. Our people must feel empowered. The PLP must allow the people to feel a part of our decisions."

He pointed to PLP accomplishments including free schooling at Bermuda College, better programmes for seniors and the new Berkeley Institute.

But he added: "However, there are some dark clouds as well. One might ask what is our future? Closing hotels? Failing schools? Gang violence? General lawlessness? No, this will not be if we ensure that it's Bermuda's turn."

Calling for families to break the crime cycle by blowing the whistle on relatives who profit from drugs, he said: "Now is the time to recognise that all of us who call Bermuda home have a collective responsibility for its success."

The Sandys South MP spoke of the need to address racism through better education.

He said he would "look very closely" at what should happen next with the Big Conversation and stressed everyone should be made to feel a part of the community.

Regarding long-running rows with the media and groups such as taxi drivers which have been a key feature of Dr. Brown's reign, Mr. Lister told The Royal Gazette: "To just have enemies to have enemies, to me, doesn't make sense."

And he pledged accountability, telling the media: "My administration will not blame others but will accept responsibility for building a better Bermuda.

"Today, I stand for hope, for opportunity, for fairness."

Phil Perinchief pointed to Mr. Lister's strong background in finance and economics, and described him as a "take charge sort of person".

"I believe he is also a fair-minded person who would put his own critic in Cabinet if they had something positive to contribute," he added.

"I just believe that Terry can truly deliver the new PLP, which sees itself more as a Government as opposed to an Opposition, which can serve not just the party but the Country."

Ms Cox, who is said to have been meeting with her campaign team at low-key restaurants, is expected to officially announce her candidacy shortly after Cup Match.

During a press conference on Government finances today, the Minister said: "As far as I'm concerned this week is Cup Match week and I want nothing to detract from the Cup Match fever.

"In due course, probably some would say very early course, you will hear further from me but I think this is not the week to do that."

Lister's political career to date

Terry Lister was first appointed to the Senate in 1993 and three years later made a bid for deputy leader, losing out to future Premier Alex Scott.

He became an MP for Sandys at the Progressive Labour Party's historic General Election win in 1998 and was appointed Minister of Development, Opportunity and Government Services.

Mr. Lister then became Environment Minister before being promoted to Minister of Labour, Home Affairs and Public Safety in October 2001.

He continued his Cabinet career with a switch to Works and Engineering and Housing after the July 2003 election; and six months after that took on Education, where he remained until stepping down to recharge his batteries in September 2006.

After the PLP won the 2007 election, he was back as Minister of Energy, Telecommunications and e-Commerce.

He was removed from Cabinet in July last year, when he was the first of four MPs to call for Premier Ewart Brown to resign in the aftermath of the Uighurs affair and Dr. Brown's attempt to push through the cruise ship gaming bill behind its opponents' backs.

Interview and full speech – Opinion Page