Donte Hunt to switch constituencies as OBA reveals three candidates
One Bermuda Alliance yesterday announced another of its MPs would swap constituencies to aid the party’s success at the next General Election.Donte Hunt is to move from St George’s South in order to challenge Wayne Furbert for his Hamilton West seat.The news came as the party also revealed former Senator Suzann Roberts-Holshouser would campaign in Mr Hunt’s former constituency and Wayne Scott will challenge the PLP’s David Burch for the Warwick North Central seat.Mr Hunt’s move from Constituency Four follows similar shifts of OBA MPs in the past week.On Tuesday it was announced that OBA MP Shawn Crockwell would leave his Pembroke West seat to challenge the United Bermuda Party’s Charlie Swan in Southampton West Central.Meanwhile, OBA MP Mark Pettingill is to move from Warwick West in order to take on PLP MP Dale Butler in Warwick North East.Mr Hunt said his move was determined in answer to the call of the party.“I’ve spent the past four years representing and serving the great people of St George’s South,” he said. “I have a real fondness for the times I spent with them. There were many successes and many good moments, but the need to put the OBA into a position to win the government is paramount, and I believe I can help that with this move.”He added that Hamilton West was home to much of his own family, as well as his wife’s.“I should add that Suzann is a caring, hard-working person who shares my hope to make sure families are safe, and that the government creates conditions that help people live productive and fulfilling lives,” he said. “She has strong ties to Constituency Four.”Ms Roberts-Holshouser, who lives in the constituency she is hoping to represent, said: “In 1998, Bermudians brought change to the Island through the ballot box, and in 2011, we can do it again.”She added: “I will be there at all times to act on your concerns, and to echo your views in Parliament and in the halls of government.”She pledged to fight for safer communities, and to support policies to develop jobs and improve education.Listing cuts in transportation, jobs, overtime pay and funding for charities, she criticised “Government’s massive debt”, and took the opportunity to point out that the Causeway is among the Island’s roads in need of resurfacing.Mr Scott said: “Over the last five-plus years, as I have worked within the Warwick North Central community, my primary message has been that it’s about the people, not me period.“My role in giving service to the people is to represent their views. I believe that many today in politics have lost sight of this simple fact.”Opposition Leader Craig Cannonier announced the trio at a press conference where he also proclaimed change for Bermuda.Asked to clarify that mantra, he said: “I was asked a question by a young man: ‘What are you going to do for me?’“I said one thing to him, ‘I’ll listen’. Our leaders have failed to listen to the people of Bermuda, and that’s why we find ourselves in this position today. The key to change is listening.”He added that he personally spent hours a day walking the streets.“I don’t see other politicians doing that, and I’m not afraid to say it.”Useful website: www.oba.bm.