A former Progressive Labour Party minister predicted that less than half of registered voters will cast ballots in the General Election next month.

Ashfield DeVent said he believed that a change in the PLP and a shifting political climate would contribute to the low turnout.

He explained: “My introduction [to the PLP] was through Dame Lois Browne-Evans and Freddie Wade. I lived in their former constituency when they had two-seat constituencies.

“At that time, the party was very much pro-independence and I think it had a more core grassroots direction.

“It certainly has changed and, from what I hear on the street, I think they’ve lost that grassroots connection with many voters.

“I think once you begin to lose the interests of those voters, some you will never get back.

“Something is happening, you might even say it is happening worldwide. People are fed up with politics as we know it.”

Mr DeVent was not surprised when David Burt called the election on January 8, but did not expect that Sir John Swan, the country’s longest-serving premier, would return to politics as an independent candidate last year.

At least 11 people, including Sir John and former PLP MPs Rolfe Commissiong and Renée Webb, have confirmed they will run as independent candidates next month.

It will be at the close of the nomination window on Friday that voters will know for sure how many non-partisan candidates will stand.

Mr DeVent is happy to see more people entering politics but does not think independents will win any seats next month.

He said: “I think the last time an independent won a seat was Stuart Hayward in 1989 and that was different circumstances.”

The late Mr Hayward ousted United Bermuda Party MP Clarence James from Pembroke West Central and served a single term in Parliament.

Mr DeVent added: “I think it’s good and eventually there will be a place for independents.There will be a change somewhere down the road.

“I think new voters are more discerning. They’re looking for specialities, they’re looking for specific things and the mere fact that we have so many independents running tells me that the voters and the public in general don’t see that happening.”

Mr DeVent, who served as MP for Pembroke South East from 2002 to 2012, said some people had asked him to run as an independent.

He added: “I am running far away from that process at this time; there’s always something in me that wants to do something better for the people of Bermuda but, personally, it’s time to move on.”

Mr DeVent thinks the PLP will lose four or five seats next month and believes that the cost of living, immigration, education and a lack of cannabis reform are topics on voters’ minds.

He noted: “They promised a review or relook at the laws surrounding cannabis, which is what I would love to have seen.

“I think at the time when they said it, they knew that Britain wasn't going to allow us to do it.

“I think that has ticked off quite a few younger voters, people were looking for that.

“I still have people coming up to me asking when are they going to do it.”

Mr DeVent thinks Bermuda is slowly moving away from race-based politics.

He explained: “People are thinking differently. It’s not just White OBA and Black PLP, there’s room down the middle to step on either side, it’s beginning to change.

“When people go to vote, think carefully about how you’re casting your vote.

“Think carefully about who has done the most for you, but people also have the right to not cast their vote.

“We’ve been taught that we must vote because people fought hard for that but if I have to vote between bad and worse, what’s the point?”

Responding to some of Mr DeVent’s comments, Neville Tyrrell, who was the PLP MP for Warwick South Central before the dissolution of the legislature, said: “While it is true that the PLP has grown and evolved over the years, we remain firmly committed to the values of our founders; values of equality, justice, fairness and progress.”

He added: “Regarding sovereignty, the PLP remains steadfast in our belief that it is the ultimate path to Bermuda’s full self-determination.

“However, we also acknowledge that the Bermudian people do not currently support sovereignty for Bermuda.

“Until that changes, we will continue to prioritise policies that strengthen our economy and empower Bermudians.”