Derrick Burgess, the Deputy Speaker of the House and a Progressive Labour Party veteran, announced his retirement from the political arena yesterday — as did Wayne Caines, a former national security minister.

Mr Burgess, 75, who represented Hamilton East (Constituency 5), has decided “that this is the time for him to step away from public politics ahead of the General Election next month”, after serving in the House of Assembly since 1998.

Mr Caines, 54, was first voted into the House of Assembly in 2017 and was re-elected to Devonshire North West (Constituency 14) in 2020.

Mr Caines told constituents he would “continue to stand by you, working closely with the PLP’s confirmed candidate to ensure they are fully acquainted with the unique needs and aspirations of our community”.

Mr Burgess started out as a hotel dishwasher, working in an industry where the Bermuda Industrial Union was the sole bargaining agent.

Climbing the ranks in the union as well as the PLP, Mr Burgess was president of the BIU at the time that he took the Hamilton East seat in a February 1998 by-election.

The PLP was still in Opposition — but on the cusp of its first electoral victory that November against the United Bermuda Party.

Mr Burgess paid tribute in his announcement to PLP luminaries who “remained on the front lines in Parliament and in the streets fighting for a better Bermuda”.

He said their tenacity had made him “a better, dedicated life member of this party”.

He added: “Serving in Cabinet under three different premiers and being elected Deputy Premier of Bermuda during my time in Parliament was certainly a milestone in my life, and something I will never forget.”

Mr Burgess thanked the voters of Hamilton Parish, which he called the Bible Belt.

An ardent trade unionist who stepped down from the BIU in 2006, Mr Burgess was known for cutting an uncompromising figure in politics.

He was outspoken on subjects ranging from racism to the island’s entrenched business interests, and was often a fiery speaker on the floor of the House.

Made Minister of Labour, Home Affairs and Public Safety under the premiership of Alex Scott when he left the union, Mr Burgess was soon moved to Minister of Labour and Immigration after Ewart Brown became premier that year.

Mr Burgess ruffled feathers by revoking work permits, although one early decision was overturned by the Supreme Court — and he held a press conference in 2007 telling non-Bermudians to keep out of the island’s politics.

He became works and engineering minister that December, but was later demoted to transport minister, which he resigned in 2012.

Mr Burgess spent much of his career in the House of Assembly as an advocate for seniors.

He said he would remain “a loyal and committed member of the PLP” in retirement, and willing to serve “whenever summoned”.

Mr Caines’s introduction to politics came in October 2006 with his appointment to the Senate by Dr Brown, the new premier, who also made him his chief of staff.

His roles in the Upper House for the PLP included Junior Minister of Tourism, Transport, the Environment and Sport.

He was a Crown counsel, having worked for the Department of Public Prosecutions since 2000, and a captain in the Royal Bermuda Regiment.

In the 2007 General Election, he campaigned unsuccessfully for the PLP against UBP candidate Darius Tucker in Hamilton South.

Mr Caines stepped down from the Senate in June 2008 to become chief executive at Digicel. He later headed Seniac Consulting, a telecommunications and organisational consulting firm.

In 2017, he was elected MP for Devonshire North West, which was previously held by Glen Smith, of the One Bermuda Alliance.

In his maiden parliamentary speech, Mr Caines cited the December 2, 2016 clash outside the House of Assembly between police and protesters against the airport redevelopment as a turning point that inspired him to run as an MP.

Mr Caines was also pitted against Paula Cox, the former premier, who ran as an independent when the PLP refused to select her as a candidate.

He took the portfolio of national security after that election.

He was forced to resign from the position three years later after uproar over a party at a plush restaurant that breached the Covid-19 regulations in force at the time.

This was merely 24 months after causing a stir in a London cereal café with some unflattering remarks towards a female attendant while on government duty, which he then uploaded on to social media.

In a Facebook post in the wake of the Blu Restaurant affair, for which he and Zane DeSilva lost their Cabinet portfolios, Mr Caines said: “As a public servant, I am humbled and aware of the responsibility I hold and the need to lead by example.”

He later became the chairman of the Bermuda Tourism Authority, as well as president of Ascendant, the parent company of the power supplier Belco.

Mr Caines said he had been “immensely blessed and honoured” to serve the island for the past eight years.

He said his decision “was not made lightly”, but that he wished to focus on “my health, my family, my professional endeavours and the charitable causes that hold a special place in my heart”.

David Burt, leader of the PLP, saluted both former MPs.

Mr Burt said: “Being a representative is a significant sacrifice, and I pay homage to MP Burgess for his many years of service.

“Cousin Derrick has been on the front line of fighting for better conditions for workers, and those in our community who need a champion.

“He has served in many roles in our party, and I wish him the very best in his well-deserved retirement.”

He added: “I am sad to see Wayne step away at this time, but I’m sure it’s more of a pause than a retirement.

“I thank him for his support of the party and look forward to working with him as we continue to advance the mission of the Progressive Labour Party to deliver a fairer Bermuda.”

The PLP is expected to roll out candidates throughout the week.

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Burgess statement.pdf

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Caines statement.pdf

• To read statements from both former MPs, see Related Media