Walter Roban to retire from politics
Walter Roban, the Deputy Premier and Minister of Home Affairs, will retire from politics after more than 35 years of serving the Progressive Labour Party.
Mr Roban said in a statement released yesterday that it was “now time to move into the next phase” of his life. He said he will not be contesting the next General Election.
The 56-year-old added: “My life has always been about service, and political service has taken precedence for the past 25 years.
“It was never meant to be a lifelong job and I am now at the point where I am ready to make a shift.”
Mr Roban joined the PLP in the late 1980s as a party officer and for decades helped to shape the group’s policies, strategies and goals.
He helped to usher in the PLP’s historic victory in 1998, and had since worked in by-elections and General Election campaigns.
Mr Roban was appointed to the Senate in 2003 under former PLP premier Alex Scott.
He won his seat in the General Election in 2007 and succeeded union stalwart Ottiwell Simmons as MP of Pembroke East Central.
Mr Roban went on to serve under several cabinets and shadow cabinets, taking on the role of Deputy Premier in 2017.
“The One Bermuda Alliance wishes Walter Roban, a long-serving public servant, well in his retirement.
“While we don’t yet know the reason for his departure, this is a blow to David Burt and the PLP government.
“The Minister of Public Works, Lieutenant-Colonel David Burch, has already said he won’t run again. Now the Deputy Premier has announced the same. This will continue to create more anxiety about Bermuda’s future.”
Reflecting on his career with the PLP, Mr Roban said: “The PLP was founded to improve the lives of the people and we have always kept that focus.
“We may not have always been able to please all the people all the time, but we have worked tirelessly to bring about change.
“Change doesn’t often come easy, and sometimes even the change people advocate for can be rejected when they realise that it may in some way impact them negatively.
“That is politics; that is life.
“However, I have always been proud of the PLP and of work we have done.”
He added: “During my time under L. Frederick Wade, Dame Jennifer Smith, Alex Scott, Ewart Brown, Paula Cox, Marc Bean and now the current leader and Premier, David Burt, much work has been done to benefit Bermudians.
“The people’s work will continue to be done.
“To my colleagues in the legislature, over many years, I have enjoyed serving with you as we work to shape a different and better Bermuda.
“That journey continues and I will be supporting you all the way.
“At the next election, I will be a bystander politically, but I will always be a supporter of the party.
“I will continue to encourage our supporters to get involved in our great party, and for the wider electorate to support a PLP government.
“I would like to thank all of my family for all their love and support over the decades of political life.
“There aren’t too many things harder than being the family of a politician and I thank them from the bottom of my heart.
“And, of course, my PLP Constituency 15 branch workers who have supported me without hesitation and without reservation for the past 17 years.
“There are many others who have supported me over the years, party members who encouraged and guided me in this journey.
“They are too numerous to mention but I am eternally grateful to all.”
Mr Roban also said: “A personal thank-you goes out to the current leader of the PLP, David Burt, my leader, friend and colleague.
“We have been on a great journey together. We have shaped and led the PLP to political success only imagined by our founders.
“It has been a gift to share a vision for our country and the work to bring into effect the potential our island has.
“Bermuda has the ability to evolve and adapt to the changing world. I am excited about the possibilities of the future.
“I thank the Progressive Labour Party and the people of Bermuda for the opportunity to serve you.”
Mr Roban’s decision follows Lieutenant-Colonel David Burch, the Minister of Public Works, announcing his retirement last December. He will also stand down at the next General Election.
He said he came to the decision in 2022 after a quarter-century career in politics.
Mr Roban’s retirement comes after the Premier twice dispelled rumours of dissension within the PLP.
The PLP spoke out against accusations of autocratic behaviour and tensions the supposed behaviour caused within the party.
These allegations, according to a report by TNN, came about when a sitting of the House of Assembly ended abruptly despite several backbenchers having contributions to make during the motion to adjourn.
Mr Burt said that only the Speaker of the House had power to close sittings and added that his party valued “inclusivity, transparency and democratic principles”.
• To read Walter Roban’s full statement, see Related Media
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