Political enemies were accused of “a campaign to destroy the Progressive Labour Party’s leader”, David Burt, while the ruling party’s commitment to its values was said to endure regardless.

Lieutenant-Colonel David Burch, the Minister of Public Works, addressed the Bermuda Industrial Union’s 40th annual Labour Day banquet with reflections on politics that came with some criticism of political figures.

“I make no apologies for supporting the current Premier, especially as the Minister of Finance,” Colonel Burch said on Friday evening, contrasting “five years of austerity” under the One Bermuda Alliance with the PLP’s investments in affordable housing.

“Who we are is helping our people in need,” he added.

Colonel Burch said of political foes: “It wouldn’t be so bad if they attacked the record.

“They resort to the most outrageous lies — starting with the pledge that we all apparently were asked to sign, confessing loyalty to the leader.”

He added: “No Black Bermudian of any political persuasion would ever sign such a pledge.”

Colonel Burch noted August had proved “an interesting month, with resignations from the Cabinet and crossing the aisle” — a reference to Kathy-Lynn Simmons and Vance Campbell relinquishing their portfolios as Attorney-General and Cabinet Office minister respectively, with Mr Campbell then leaving the PLP for the OBA.

Although he did not name Mr Campbell, who has criticised the leadership of his former party, Colonel Burch told the audience he had resigned from Cabinet in 2010 after “a disagreement with the then Premier” and “never uttered a word” after doing so.

“That’s what you do when you resign,” he said. “It is a private matter between you, and he or she who appointed you.”

Colonel Burch said few MPs left the PLP for the OBA because “our philosophies are diametrically opposed to theirs”.

He took a swipe at Sir John Swan, the island’s longest-serving premier, who came forward as an independent candidate and has urged others to do the same.

Colonel Burch said Sir John should have given up his National Hero status before returning to politics.

He added: “Most countries have national heroes who are dead because their public record has finished, and their life’s work can be assessed.

“Our laws will be changed to reflect this in September.” The honour is to be limited to posthumous candidates.

Colonel Burch said of public service: “Standing on the sidelines and chirping is easy.

“Governing is hard, and sometimes your own supporters are going to be upset with the decisions you have made.”

He recalled a government sanitation worker’s colourful language to describe his decision to cut garbage collection from twice a week to once weekly — and praised Chris Furbert, the BIU president, for keeping an open line of communication with his ministry to help iron out problems.

“Over the years, there have been several occasions when there was potential for industrial disputes,” he said.

Colonel Burch referenced his reputation as outspoken when he opened by telling the gathering he would “behave”.

He looked back over his lengthy career in the Royal Bermuda Regiment, rising to become Commanding Officer despite being told by a British officer that he would never attain officer ranking.

He recounted ending up in “hot water with the Government of the day” in 1994 after he intervened in a “chaotic” Beating Retreat ceremony on Front Street.

Two years later, taking a group of soldiers for training in Jamaica, Colonel Burch said he warned them that anyone caught smoking cannabis would face imprisonment — and said he incurred the wrath of a United Bermuda Party minister, the late Quinton Edness, for doing so.

He said the furore “crystallised my decision to run for elected office”, and challenge Mr Edness’s parliamentary seat for the PLP.

Colonel Burch retired from the Regiment in 1997 before joining the party, and referenced the announcement last month by Lieutenant Cire Bean to run as an independent for Sandys North, using military service as “a qualification to run”.

Lieutenant Bean had to resign his commission to run for the by-election on October 4.

Colonel Burch touched on his decision to retire from politics after 27 years before the next General Election, and said he would support his successor in Warwick North Central.

He said there had been “an influx of bright young minds” into the PLP and warned: “If some of us older members do not step aside to make way for them, they will get discouraged and disappear.”

He told the audience: “This has been an incredible journey — and I shall work diligently until the last day of this assignment helping as many people as I can along the way.”