Activist drops plan for protest march on Parliament
The organiser of a rally protesting the outcome of the Progressive Labour Party’s leadership race has insisted he is no longer backing the proposed demonstration.
Activist Larry Scott had called for a march on Parliament, but said he changed his mind after Curtis Dickinson, the defeated PLP leadership contender, said he did not support the action.
Mr Scott said on social media: “I called for the formation of a march on parliament.
“I certainly didn’t consult Curtis Dickinson about it, and in the interim he has disassociated himself from it and I must respect that.
“So, as far as I am concerned, my efforts are over.
“Let me be clear, all efforts by me to organise a march on Parliament are at an end.”
Mr Dickinson used a Facebook post at the weekend to make it clear he did not want to be involved with the demonstration after his loss to David Burt, the Premier, in the PLP contest.
The former finance minister said: “It has come to my attention that there are a number of calls for a march on Parliament.
“While I respect the right of the people to protest, I wish to make it abundantly clear I am not involved in any way with the proposed march.
“Nor do I support any efforts to overturn the decision of the delegates.
“The internal election has been held and the delegates of the Progressive Labour Party have made their decision.”
PLP delegates and MPs voted 97 to 56 in favour of Mr Burt, and 96 to 55 in favour of Walter Roban, the Deputy Premier, in the contest for the PLP’s No 2 post against Renée Ming, the former Cabinet minister.
The leadership of the PLP stated at the weekend that the “rumoured protest” was “misguided … misdirected” and would not alter the result.
It added that the election of a PLP leader was an internal process that took place every four years.
The PLP comments followed a message which was circulated on WhatsApp stating: “Get up, stand up!
“People who care for Bermuda, if you care about our future, show up at the House of Assembly next Friday at 1pm to show that it is the people who have the power not the 152 delegates.
“Spread the word.”
In a separate move, Alex Scott, the former PLP premier, urged Mr Burt to amend his style after the leadership vote in order not to appear “autocratic”.
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