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Wayne Furbert to join the PLP

'I want you to know that I have changed the flag I carry, but I have not changed my heart. What I bring to the Progressive Labour Party and Bermuda is a person who is a hard worker, considerable experience politically and a businessman' - Wayne Furbert

Former United Bermuda Party Leader Wayne Furbert will today cross the floor of the House of Assembly to join his old rival the Progressive Labour Party.

But a frosty welcome for the long-serving politician appeared in store from some backbenchers speaking to The Royal Gazette yesterday.

While one said most Government MPs are in favour of Mr. Furbert's arrival, others claimed Premier Ewart Brown only wants him there to boost his flagging popularity in the PLP ranks.

One described the Hamilton West MP's move as a "slap in the face to his constituents" and another pointed to concerns that the party's bench is being "infiltrated" by a former UBP man.

Some claimed Mr. Furbert, a frequent face at PLP conferences in recent months, has been enticed by the offer of a Cabinet role, possibly taking on Dr. Brown's Transport portfolio. The Premier would not comment on that yesterday, while party insiders deemed it unlikely.

Mr. Furbert, who will announce his move in the House this morning, would not comment last night, but he said in a letter he personally delivered to his constituents yesterday: "I know as you read this, some people are happy and some are disappointed for which I understand.

"I want you to know that I have changed the flag I carry, but I have not changed my heart.

"What I bring to the Progressive Labour Party and Bermuda is a person who is a hard worker, considerable experience politically and a businessman."

One MP said most PLP parliamentarians had said "yes" to Mr. Furbert joining, while former Premier Alex Scott said: "I would think he would be welcomed on our bench. In the past, individuals who have walked across the floor have been welcomed."

However, one backbencher argued: "I get offended by the whole thing, the fact that you are elected under one party, one direction, one vision that was given to the constituents, and then midway through a term you decide to switch sides.

"Quite frankly, I think it's a slap in the face to those people who supported you. The honourable thing would be to step down and go to a by-election.

"It's what politics has come down to in Bermuda. It's no form of ideology, not any particular vision — sometimes it's about what's best for the person.

"This is a man that's been UBP for many, many years and now switched over to labour. Has he now all of a sudden had an epiphany?

"Is he doing this for the best of the Country and his constituents, or is he doing what's best for Wayne Furbert?"

Another said Mr. Furbert's arrival was regarded as an effort to undermine backbench resistance to Dr. Brown and was infiltrating the bench with ex-UBP people.

The PLP said in a statement yesterday: "The decision by Mr. Wayne Furbert to join the Bermuda Progressive Labour Party is welcomed. He has served his constituency and his community well. We are certain he will make a valuable contribution as we move Bermuda forward."

Mr. Furbert has been a Hamilton MP from 1993 to 1998, and from 2003 to today, as Leader for just over a year in 2006/07; in December 2008 he became the first of five MPs to quit the UBP citing frustration at its failure to reform.

UBP leader Kim Swan said in a statement yesterday: "Mr. Furbert left this party more than a year ago and, like him, we have moved on.

"Our focus is on issues that matter most to people — a more stable economy that grows jobs, better government leadership, education reform and safer streets.

"Mr. Furbert has been angling for this crossover for a long time. To get there he has repeatedly voted with Dr. Brown's Government.

"His move to join the PLP aligns him with a government that has imposed $100 million in new taxes on everyday people and the businesses that employ them — a Budget that is already costing people jobs across the community.

"We look forward in the next election to putting forward a candidate who is part of a team dedicated to growing the economy, expanding career opportunities and ensuring fairness for all.

"That's what the people of Hamilton West deserve and we intend to provide that for them. That's our commitment."

The PLP now has 23 MPs, to the UBP's nine, Bermuda Democratic Alliance's three and one remaining Independent, Darius Tucker.