A former Progressive Labour Party supporter and high-profile scientist is urging voters in Warwick West (Constituency 28) to vote for an independent candidate when the island goes to the polls on Tuesday.

Carika Weldon publicly endorsed Gavin Kennedy at a town hall meeting in the constituency on Wednesday.

Dr Weldon, a biochemist who helped to chart Bermuda’s path out of the pandemic and was named 2021 Woman of the Year, said that she had always been a proud supporter of the PLP, had helped the party’s Dennis Lister III win the seat and was once an approved candidate.

However, she added: “I am here to tell you that my commitment to Bermuda is greater than my loyalty to any political party.

“And that is why, after deep reflection and an unwavering commitment to integrity, I am publicly endorsing Gavin Kennedy as the independent candidate for C28 Warwick West.

“This is a decision for Bermuda. A decision that says, enough is enough. We must stop voting based on party colours and start voting based on results, accountability and vision.”

Dr Weldon criticised the PLP for failing to address a myriad of problems when in office during the past eight years, including rising crime and rapid inflation.

She said: “For eight years, we have given our current representative the opportunity to fight for us.

“Eight years to make a difference. Eight years to deliver on promises. And yet, I ask you, are we better off today than we were eight years ago?

“If we are being honest with ourselves, the answer is no.”

Dr Weldon, who is the founder and chief executive of the CariGenetics research laboratory, also took aim at the One Bermuda Alliance, saying it had “completely failed” as an opposition party.

She said: “Their lack of engagement, their inability to connect with the people, and their absence on critical issues show that they are not ready to lead.

“Too many politicians are focused on their careers and party loyalty, rather than real solutions for the people who elected them.”

Dr Weldon described Mr Kennedy as a man of action and principle.

She said: “He is not running for personal gain or to secure a political future — he is running because he genuinely cares. He is running because he believes that your voice matters.“

Mr Kennedy will be up against the PLP’s Mr Lister and Victoria Cunningham, of the OBA, on Tuesday.

In the 2020 election, Mr Lister beat the OBA’s Dwayne Robinson by 498 votes to 329.

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