Court Street erupted with joy last night as thousands of PLP supporters celebrated an overwhelming victory.

Decked in green T-shirts, many of the party’s faithful launched the festivities long before the official results were announced.

All of the victorious candidates later appeared on stage outside the party’s headquarters, Alaska Hall, along with those who failed to earn a seat.

The Progressive Labour Party secured 24 seats with the One Bermuda Alliance gathering only 12 — a much bigger majority than most predicted, even within the party.

Ecstatic PLP supporter Elison Smith, who lives in Constituency 13, said: “I’m excited.

“I’m really excited about this. I’m looking for change. I’m happy with the PLP. Today’s a perfect day.”

Deborah Smith, from Pembroke West constituency, said: “I feel emotional, elated, excited for the children and the future of Bermuda. I’m happy for the PLP win.”

Oland Smith, who lives in Constituency 9, said: “I figured they would win, but I didn’t think they would win by that margin.”

Muriel Wade-Smith, from the same constituency, added: “This is the third emancipation for me — 1998 was the second when the PLP won for the first time.”

The 78-year-old added: “It’s a feeling like no other. No money could pay for this.”

Premier-elect David Burt told the crowd: “The most important people to thank today is all of you. Family, as I said, this belongs to all of you because all of you saw through the negative attacks, all of you saw through what they tried to say about the PLP and you believed in your hearts that the 36 of us, together with all of you, could change the course of our country.”

He added: “You decided that we will have a better future for our children, you decided that we have to have a government that will put Bermudians first.

“You decided that we have to have a government that wants to create jobs in Bermuda for Bermudians. You are the ones who decided that it is time for a government that builds an economy that works for everyone.

“We can no longer have our people working two and three jobs just to remain in poverty. That is what we are here to change. It is your stories, your struggle, your pain that we will take with us into government to ensure that not only you have a better future, but we will build a better future for our children.”

Mr Burt continued: “Tonight is a night to celebrate — however, I want to make sure that each one of you holds us accountable.

“Government is not the 36 of us; government is all of you. Tonight we celebrate and, believe me ... this celebration will not stop. But tomorrow we go to work.”

The merriment on Court Street stood in marked contrast to 2012, when a relative handful of shell-shocked PLP supporters came to terms with the OBA’s narrow victory.

Returned Pembroke South East MP Rolfe Commissiong said: “I think it’s a major political wave that’s swamping the OBA.

“Clearly tonight it was a massive wave — people were tired of austerity, shared sacrifice which was not as it was advertised to be.

“It fell disproportionately on the poor, the middle class and black Bermudians.”

First-time MP Wayne Caines, who convincingly defeated independent candidate and former premier Paula Cox in Devonshire North West, added: “This is an opportunity to unite this country and move forward together as one. We’ve seen principles over personality.”

Belco employee Christopher Famous delivered one of the major shocks of the night when he toppled OBA finance minister Bob Richards in Devonshire East.

He said: “I’m happy the work paid off and we are able to serve the people of Bermuda because that’s what the people want — us to serve them, not us serving ourselves.”

Mr Famous added he wanted to see an expansion of technical education and electoral reform to deal with bedridden people who are unable to vote.

Former premier Ewart Brown said the PLP had an opportunity to “change Bermuda forever”.

“It’s all because of you — and I want to thank you for what you have done for your country, to save your country for your children and your grandchildren.”

Jamahl Simmons, who was re-elected as the MP for Sandys South, told The Royal Gazette: “I am humbled and grateful. This outcome, the largest margin of victory in this area since 1998, is a result of hard work on the doorstep and a phenomenal team of volunteers.”