An educator and unionist has announced that he will run as an independent candidate in the next General Election.

Dwight Jackson, former general secretary for the Bermuda Trade Union Congress, said that he intends to run in Constituency 9, Smith’s West, now represented by Vance Campbell.

Mr Jackson said at a press conference streamed by TNN and Bernews: “I look forward to having a better Bermuda.”

The teacher listed reasons for throwing his name into the ring including the high cost of living, high energy costs and education.

Mr Jackson suggested the introduction of hydropower or offshore wind power could help to reduce energy costs and create jobs.

He said that while he did not want to disparage the present administration, the feeling of the public was “all is not right”.

“Could we do better? Yes,” he said. “With respect to what impacts on my household, [I’m] struggling. I know I’m not the only one.

“When it comes to the antisocial climate that we have, [I’m] not satisfied in the least.

“I have a young son, a young adult son. I am terrified and horrified when he comes home to Bermuda.”

Mr Jackson said he was “not proud” of the state of education on the island, noting the decline in the number of students in public school.

He said: “I know that people say the birth rate is low and so on, but what about the droves of people that are leaving Bermuda for other opportunities?

“What about the product that is being presented that is encouraging parents to put their children in private schools, home schools, boarding schools or no schools? There is an opportunity now to do better.”

Mr Jackson said that while there were those who “enjoyed the pursuits of holding handguns and committing violent acts”, he believed they could be put on back on the right track.

“Maybe that particular skill set that they have, they can be part of a military force and they can be trained in another way,” he said.

“The idea is to change the paradigm of thought, get them out of that particular culture that they find themselves mired in.”

He also emphasised the value of education, stating that young men can find opportunities and a good living in the trades.

“The reality is we all cannot be doctors, we all can’t be lawyers and walk around town with a briefcase,” he said.

Mr Jackson said he did not want to stand for a party because he did not want to be subjected to a “party line” that he might not feel comfortable with.

“I still want to make a difference,” he said. “I still want to make a contribution to my community, to my country.

“I feel that this presently right now is the climate to be in this sort of position.”

He said he had not yet begun to canvass in the constituency, but said its issues were the same as everywhere else on the island.

Constituency 9 was last contested in the 2020 General Election with Mr Campbell, then representing the Progressive Labour Party, defeating Vic Ball of the One Bermuda Alliance.

However, Mr Campbell made headlines last month when he crossed the floor, joining the OBA.

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