Nine candidates from across the political divide who are standing in the General Election faced hard-hitting questions from young people in a series of debates.

The virtual event, organised by the activist group Bermuda Youth Connect, included three candidates each from the Progressive Labour Party and One Bermuda Alliance as well as three independent candidates.

Election contenders were quizzed on topics such as climate change, electoral reform and LGBTQ+ rights.

The first three candidates to take part in the series on Saturday were Maurice Foley, of the OBA, Shomari Talbot-Woolridge, of the PLP, and independent candidate Iman Gibbons, who are all standing in eastern constituencies, although not against each other.

Asked about improving job opportunities for young people, the trio agreed that education was crucial and that a greater emphasis needed to be placed on trades.

Mr Foley, a former corporate executive, who now runs his own business, appeared to align on the topic with Mr Gibbons, who operates a home school.

Mr Gibbons, standing in Hamilton South (Constituency 7), suggested that the localisation of commerce would benefit an entire community, without the need for a minimum wage.

“We need our money to circulate more,” he said.

“When we put it to the Government, these ideas go astray and fall apart.

“We can do it from localised positions rather than from government down.”

Mr Foley agreed.

Stating that his constituency — St David’s (Constituency 3) — contained unfarmed arable land, he said: “What if my community supported two farmers?

“If we started from our own internal communities, our communities would come together.

“Look inwardly first and see how it can spread inwardly and globally.”

The three concurred on a range of other issues including climate change, human rights and education reform.

Mr Foley described the Government’s ongoing shake-up of the education system as “stepping stones and opportunities rather than mistakes”.

Mr Talbot-Woolridge is running in Smith’s West (Constituency 9).

The second of the three debates focused on candidates in central parishes.

Malachi Symonds, of the OBA, Iesha Musson, of the PLP, and independent candidate Rayki Bascome-Emery agreed that there needed to be an overhaul of the electoral system.

Mr Symonds, a contender in Pembroke East (Constituency 15), said: “I would like to see non-partisan committees that make sure that those who are elected are working for the community.”

All three candidates agreed that the education system needed to change to encourage young people to take part in political debate and feel more involved.

They also agreed that the existing political system polarised the population.

“It’s crazy,” said Ms Musson, who is running in Pembroke South West (Constituency 20).

When Mr Bascome-Emery — Paget East (Constituency 22) — was asked what he would do to assist members of the LGBTQ+ community who wanted to return to Bermuda, he replied that he was intent on persuading all Bermudians to return home, rather than specialist groups.

Asked for his thoughts on the claim that the Government appeared to focus its attention more on seniors than young people, Mr Bascome-Emery said: “Seniors have a vote.”

The final trio of candidates are running in western parishes.

The PLP’s Mischa Fubler and Dwayne Robinson, of the OBA, who will face each other in Southampton East Central (Constituency 30), were joined in the forum by independent candidate Juanae Crockwell, who is running in Southampton West Central (Constituency 31).

Again, the group agreed on a wide range of issues.

At one point during a debate on feminism, Ms Crockwell said: “I am happy to be on a panel with men who support women and their value in the community.”

The tone of all three debates was one of general agreement.

• Comments are closed on political content until February 19 to stem the flow of purposefully inflammatory and litigious comments during the General Election cycle. Users who introduce extreme partisan comments into other news content will be given a two-week timeout