Log In

Reset Password

Justin Mathias confirms independent run for C25

Calling for real choice: Justin Mathias announces his independent candidacy for Warwick North East (Photograph by Sékou Hendrickson)

A former One Bermuda Alliance chairman and senator has officially announced his campaign as an independent candidate for Warwick North East (Constituency 25).

Justin Mathias said he wanted to create a donations-based community fund to finance projects around his constituency — a fund that he pledged half of his MP salary towards if he is elected.

He added: “Unity and diversity must coexist, we must emphasise mutual respect and shared responsibilities to the problems that face us all as a collective.”

Mr Mathias will run in the February 18 General Election against Douglas De Couto, for the OBA, and Joanne Ball-Burgess, for the Progressive Labour Party, whose candidacy was announced this morning.

Mr Mathias said that he wanted a “Constituency 25 Community Fund” to assist with the creation of a minibus route, to offer grocery vouchers and at-home assistance for seniors.

He also suggested using it for better road paving and hedge trimming, as well as a public-private partnership for garbage collection and mail delivery for the islands near his constituency.

He invited his fellow candidates to create a similar fund if he is not elected — and encouraged other MPs to do the same.

Mr Mathias said: “I think if they really care about rebuilding our country and rebuilding each constituency piece-by-piece, it’s a great initiative to do a lot of these things that the Government says they don’t have money to do.”

Outside of his constituency, Mr Mathias said he would push for reducing the size of Parliament and adding more livable spaces to Hamilton.

He said he would also work for causes such as universal healthcare and “wide and immediate changes” to the education system.

Mr Mathias called on MPs who had left politics to re-enter the fold and put their names forward on nomination day this Friday.

Mr Mathias said: “Bermuda needs true public servants, not volunteers-turned-politicians that these political parties are desperately trying to find.”

He added: “For anyone still within the OBA or PLP, I am asking you to drop your parties’ banners on nomination day and run as an independent.

“Give Bermuda a real choice — one that wasn’t decided behind closed doors or by external consultants.”

The announcement came in the wake of op-eds last week by Mr Mathias accusing the OBA of being disorganised and unprepared for the election that they had demanded in the November 2024 Reply to the Throne Speech.

He also questioned the commitment that Dr De Couto and Arianna Hodgson, the former PLP candidate for Warwick North East, had to the constituency, as the two had previously run in different communities.

The accusations caused Ben Smith, the deputy OBA leader, to hit back at Mr Mathias, claiming that he had not been active in the party since April 2023.

Despite the feuds, Mr Mathias thanked Dr De Couto for making “a valiant effort in the Warwick North East community to bring them together to engage them”.

He said that he also remained willing to work with everyone for the good of Bermuda.

Mr Mathias said: “We just need to be adults about it — we can go through election campaigns and after the campaign’s over, the rain comes and washes everything away, and then we get to action for the people of Bermuda.”

He added: “If we have to build a coalition government for the betterment of our society, then we will do that.”

Royal Gazette has implemented platform upgrades, requiring users to utilize their Royal Gazette Account Login to comment on Disqus for enhanced security. To create an account, click here.

You must be Registered or to post comment or to vote.

Published January 29, 2025 at 12:51 pm (Updated January 29, 2025 at 4:51 pm)

Justin Mathias confirms independent run for C25

Users agree to adhere to our Online User Conduct for commenting and user who violate the Terms of Service will be banned.