Zane DeSilva said he would be running for deputy leader of the Progressive Labour Party at a delegates’ meetings next week.

The newly appointed Minister for Housing and Municipalities confirmed that a video of him announcing the news that was posted on social media on Monday is genuine.

A delegates conference is scheduled to take place next Tuesday when a vote on the position, vacated on the retirement of Walter Roban, will be cast.

Mr DeSilva confirmed to The Royal Gazette that he will be running for deputy leader but declined to speak further until after the vote.

He said in the video: “Good day, Progressive Labour Party delegates. I’m reaching out to you today to confirm that I will be running for deputy leader of our beloved party and our country.

“This week, there will be three meetings in which I will give you my vision, I will give you my plans and I will also answer your questions.”

He said the first meeting took place on Monday evening at Purvis Primary School, a second was scheduled for last night at the Bermuda Industrial Union hall and a third is scheduled for tomorrow evening at Crawl Gospel Hall.

Mr DeSilva continued in his address: “I look forward to conversing with you, sharing my vision, sharing my plans, and pushing our party to the heights that we want it to be. Thank you.”

The Royal Gazette reported last month on numerous sources predicting that Mr DeSilva would run for deputy leader and possibly even leader of the party when the opportunity arises.

Many of those sources also said Curtis Dickinson, the former Minister of Finance, had his sights set on the position of deputy leader and potentially leader.

In October 2022, Mr Dickinson launched an unsuccessful bid to oust David Burt as PLP leader and Premier.

Mr Burt has said he would stand down as party leader and Premier in October 2026.