11 November, 2014

Dear Sir,

We are days away from the Sandys South Constituency 33 by-election. I am a resident of Sandys South and along with many of my fellow neighbours I am not satisfied with the options presented. Through discussions with my neighbours I have seen that many are discouraged to vote by these options. Many believe that a message needs to be sent to our parliamentarians.

Well, let’s examine our options. Firstly, we have our OBA candidate, who is a successful lawyer but a political newbie. Also gratefully a resident of Sandys South. Does she have what it takes to survive Bermuda’s political arena? Who knows.

And, if she is elected, will she be given the chance to actually contribute or just sit on the bench and collect an undeserving pay cheque like many of the other OBA newbies from the 2012 election? Many feel that this is a risk we can’t afford.

Also, how can we trust her when the party she represents have broken countless election promises already in their short term in power? How can we expect her to stand up for us, when her party, time after time, fails to do so? I am sorry, I could get past her being a newbie, but voting for a party that doesn’t fight for me, I can’t.

They say our second option is a Sandys man because he was raised here. He even attended Allen Temple and West End with us. But he lives where?

We all know a true Sandys man will never live outside of Sandys. And how is he supposed to represent us all the way from the other end. When the power is out and the Causeway is closed how are we residents supposed to reach our representative?

I want someone who lives by the Somerset Eagles, the real eagles, not the St David’s ones. Additionally, as a member of the PLP I feel disrespected. We deserved the right to have had a primary and decided who we want to represent us! Not have it dictated to us. We deserve better! We deserve respect! For without respect, safe seats aren’t safe. So I am encouraging my fellow PLP members of Constituency 33 to demand a public apology from PLP executives for their disrespect.

Now, you might be wondering how I recommend we go about declaring our dissatisfaction. Am I not saying not to vote? No, I have encouraged all my neighbours to come out and vote on November 18th. But don’t check Marshall or Simmons, draw a third box write “neither” next to it and check that.

Send a message to both parties that we aren’t happy.

BERMUDASTRONG