PLP choose Darius Tucker as election candidate
The PLP this afternoon unveiled their latest General Election candidate as former UBP MP Darius Tucker, who has been selected to stand in Paget West.It is the latest in a long list of candidates being rolled out by both parties - yesterday the OBA said leader Craig Cannonier’s sister, Gaylynne, will stand as well as Michael Dunkley and Sylvan Richards at the next General Election.In a statement at a press conference, Mr Tucker, who left the UBP to sit as an Independent MP before joining the PLP, said: “I am both pleased and honoured to be before you today as the Progressive Labour candidate for Constituency 23, Paget West. My political path to this point may not have taken the typical route, but I am confident that it has brought me to the right place.“My time as a PLP MP may have been relatively brief, but since joining the Party earlier this year, I have indeed found a political home. I have been welcomed and encouraged by the membership and I am pleased that I will have their full support as I represent the Party in the next general election.“While I currently sit as the Member of Parliament for Constituency 7, Hamilton South, I will now be moving and running in Constituency 23, Paget West. From the age of ten to 21, I resided in Paget West, so I am no stranger to this community. I am very familiar with this area and will take the necessary time to reacquaint myself.“In my informal canvassing, I am aware that the challenges facing Paget West are by and large the same ones facing the island jobs and the economy, crime, and education. I am excited at the prospect of working as a member of the PLP team in an effort to continue the work being done by our Government, in the more than capable hands of Premier Cox.“I am a grassroots, community based politician … a carpenter by trade, who knows first-hand how uncertainty in the construction industry can affect job prospects and income. My connection to the community enables me to go directly to the policymakers and legislators with first-hand accounts of how people may be hurting in different areas. With my personal understanding and experience at the grassroots level I believe I will be an asset to the Government as I present the views of constituents and share their hopes as well as their ideas.“Bermuda, you can be sure that your PLP team cares about each of you. There is much work to be done. By re-electing the PLP Government we will continue the process of finding effective solutions as together we build a better Bermuda.“Constituents of Paget West, I will be visiting each and every one of you over the upcoming weeks. I look forward to meeting each of you and discussing your concerns, ideas and visions for a better Bermuda. It takes all of us to improve our country. We cannot expect to move forward together, if we live, work, think and dream separately.“The Theme of the Throne Speech was “Let’s Build One Another Together”. As a carpenter, I am ready, willing and able to begin this building process.”