‘This election is about the future,’ Burt tells western supporters
Hundreds of the Progressive Labour Party’s western-based supporters voiced their endorsement of the incumbent government last night as electioneering reached feverish pitch in the run-in to the General Election.
The rally, held at Dalton E Tucker Primary School, was the first of three the ruling party has scheduled before February 18.
David Burt, the Premier, told the crowd at the “Western Family Reunion” that the PLP has a full slate of “amazing” candidates with a record number of women.
“This election is about the future,” he said.
He reiterated that his government had inherited bad deals at the airport and Morgan’s Point, and that as the island sought to dig its way back, the world was hit by a pandemic and global inflation.
“Inflation is global; it is not a Bermuda problem,” Mr Burt said. “Call your friends in the islands, call your friends in the United States, call your friends in England — wherever they are — and they will tell you.
“We can’t fix everything, but what is clear is that this government has done as much as possible to bring relief to Bermudians.”
Mr Burt said that the island will be faced by challenges in the future, but the question is what government the people want in power when they strike.
Zane DeSilva, the party’s candidate for Southampton East (Constituency 29), told the audience that the record-breaking 110 candidates who have put their names forward spoke well to the health of the island’s democracy.
“That’s 110 people walking up and down the streets of Bermuda, hearing the concerns of our people, seeing the issues in Bermuda, listening to the voiceless who need our help and need our support,” he said.
“One hundred and ten people listening to the concerns of our seniors, hearing the aspirations of our young people and acknowledging the cries for a better Bermuda.
“But among those 110, there are only 36 who are equipped, who have a party legacy that started in 1963. The party of justice, equality and fairness.”
Mr DeSilva noted the PLP’s work to lower taxes, create affordable housing and produce a budget surplus.
“What does the PLP have planned for the future? Senior daycare centres, free primary care under HIP, free specialist visits under FutureCare,” he said.
“More affordable homes are coming, reducing the national debt, and there is a lot more coming, but you all will have to wait for next week when the platform is introduced.”
Joanne Ball-Burgess, candidate for Warwick North East (Constituency 25), said: “When you uplift women and when you uplift the voiceless, the whole community rises together.”
Crystal Caesar, the Minister of the Cabinet Office and candidate for Southampton West Central (Constituency 31), said February 18 was a moment to choose justice over injustice, and progress over the past.
“There is a clear choice in this election and there is a lot at stake,” she said. “The progress we made thus far for our seniors, our workers, our young people could potentially be in jeopardy.”
She took aim at Michael Fahy, of the One Bermuda Alliance, whose return to politics has provided the sensation of this election season.
Mr Fahy, who will run in the OBA “safe seat” of Pembroke South West (Constituency 20) previously held by the retired Susan Jackson, was referred to by Ms Caesar as the architect of the “dastardly and diabolical” Pathways to Status scheme which she alleged would have put Bermudians at the back of the line.
She added: “They ignored us, they disrespected us, they called us xenophobic, and when the people stood firm against them selling out our people and selling off our airport to a Canadian company, they sent the police after us.”
Jamahl Simmons, in a thinly veiled attack against the Free Democratic Movement and Movement for Independent Candidates, said the island had seen a number of “pop-up” candidates throw their names in the ring for the General Election.
“We have seen one group tell you the first chance they get, they are going to cosy up and cuddle with the OBA ... Michael Fahy’s OBA,” said the candidate for Sandys South (Constituency 33).
“So what do you think you will get if you go to sleep with them on election night? You will get Michael Fahy and the OBA.
“You have another group that meets, that stacks together when they are rolled up, that are backed by one of the wealthiest men in Bermuda.
“If Sir John Swan is funding your campaign, if you are meeting at his office, if you are rolled out by him, you are going to do what when you get in?
“Team up with Michael Fahy and the OBA.”
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