David Burt, the Premier, called for unity this morning in the wake of a landslide victory at the polls.

Surrounded by Progressive Labour Party candidates at Alaska Hall, Mr Burt praised his colleagues, the PLP team and the public for their support, but said the road ahead remains long.

He said: “It’s time now to come together because we have a lot of work to do. Our platform pledged to rebuild our economy with Bermudians at heart and tonight I reach out to all Bermudians, but especially those who did not support us.

“We have an incredibly difficult road ahead for this country, and it is going to require us all to work together, whether we be Government, Opposition, business, unions and citizens.

“I now say that it is time for us to put aside our red, our yellow and our green — our historical divisions — and come together as one people, one Bermuda, to recover our economy and to build a more inclusive economy that benefits all.”

Mr Burt said the PLP would not take its significant majority in the House of Assembly for granted.

He said: “This is an awesome honour and now is not the time for arrogance. It is the time for humility and reflection.

“It is a time to redouble our efforts to reconnect with those who feel across the country that this Government is not listening to them.

“Over the next few days I will meet with my colleagues and it is my intent to go to Government House next week Thursday to swear in a Government.”

The Premier declined to say if he had expected such a large victory. Mr Burt said: “The margin is a reflection of our continued work. “When I was elected the leader of this party and elected to Government, the one thing I said, unlike the last time this party was in Government, I said that we would not forget how to be a party when in Government.

“This victory proves that — our connection on the doorstep with the citizens.”

He thanked the members of the public celebrating the election results.

He added: “Thank you for your support. Thank you for your love.

“I understand how excited you are, especially when you have seen the leader and the cabinets behind me subjected to vicious and nasty attacks and innuendo of all sorts.

“The people rose above it, and the people outside are saying they support us, and I give them, on behalf of our entire team, our gratitude.”