A former Jamaican senator has warned the Progressive Labour Party that internal division could see it tumble from power – as was the case with her own party.

Imani Duncan-Price was the keynote speaker at the PLP’s Black Tie Gala at the Hamilton Princess and Beach Club on Saturday and spoke of the plight of her country’s equivalent of the PLP – the People’s National Party, which is now in opposition.

She called on the party to reflect on the theme of this year’s Annual Delegates Conference – Resolve to Evolve – and unite to move forward.

“Our party, the PNP, won a decisive victory in 2011. Due to internal divisions in the party over who would be the next leader, we lost in 2016. I was there.

“Internal division and internal plotting continued and the PNP lost even more in 2020, and it was not because the other side got more votes, it was because too many of our PNP family stayed home … they spoke.

“Remember you are all committed to the same mission for your country – to transform Bermuda so that everybody enjoys a good quality of life. Resolve to Evolve as a united party. Focus on driving the mission, keep the fire in your belly lit for the people of Bermuda and that is the focus.”

Last month, David Burt won the PLP leadership election beating a challenge from former finance minister, Curtis Dickinson. PLP delegates voted 97 to 56 for Mr Burt.

Walter Roban beat challenger Renée Ming to remain as the PLP’s deputy leader.

Ms Duncan-Price, who is a former Miss World contestant, is also a former chief of staff in the Office of the Leader of the Opposition in Jamaica.

She was crowned Miss Jamaica World in 1995 and recently established the Imani, Grace and Love Foundation focusing on women’s economic empowerment and affordable dignified housing in Kingston, Jamaica.

She is also focused on transforming the Jamaican economy with new industries such as medical cannabis to drive inclusive growth and fairly distributed economic growth.

Ms Duncan-Price said that “to know where you are going you must know your past” and reminded the gala guests of the revolutionaries who laid the foundations of strong parties in Bermuda and the Caribbean region that work to empower Black people.

She said the territories were all connected in their shared histories and visions.

“They had all undergone some similar treatment by the British, the lives of the majority were the same as those in St Kitts, Jamaica, Bermuda, Barbados and more.

“The colonisers themselves saw these territories as the same – overseas territories to be controlled. We have a shared history, we have shared ancestors and we have a shared progressive philosophy.

“That is where we stand and that is how we move forward even more powerfully together.

“We believe that because so many of the economic systems that persist today come out of colonialism and maintain inequality, we have to put social and economic solutions in place to enable fairness to enable inclusive growth.”

She spoke of other shared visions such as equity in education, job security, training for locals and a living wage.

She described Bermuda’s work to establish a living wage as “absolutely on point” and commended David Burt’s focus in leadership.

At the event, the Premier thanked everyone who contributed to the success of the PLP calling them an “incredibly strong team”.

He presented the Leadership Award to Richelene Woolridge for her work as party secretary general, which he described as one of the most difficult jobs in the PLP.

Government MP Christopher Famous and Cymone Simms collected the Chairman Award for signing up 100 new members for the PLP – not including membership renewals.

Mr Famous told The Royal Gazette: “It speaks more to when people see themselves as a community versus just constituents.”

Mr Burt also presented some flowers to his wife, Kristin, as per gala protocol and revealed that, as the couple had been married for ten years, she would be applying for Bermudian status.

Walter Roban, the PLP deputy leader, addressed the audience about the legacy of Alaska Hall, the party’s headquarters, which is being renovated.

He said: “Alaska Hall brings people together, it is a place of unity, of safety, of conversation, of decision.

“It has been our haven, our cocoon and we do hope that those of us here today will support us in this continuous effort. Like any home, you must care for it and nurture it. We are close to completion of the project.”

Tinee Furbert, the Minister of Social Development and Seniors, raised a toast to the PLP – which she said was the “party of resilience”. She added: “The pandemic caused a disconnection between us but what is greater is our interconnectedness.”

Entertainment included music by The Wall Street Band and performances by United Dance Party.