Terry Lister Will Challenge For Leadership

Sandys South MP Terry Lister is presently announcing he will seek the top position within the Progressive Labour Party [PLP], challenging for the leadership role, which is expected to become vacant when present Premier Dr Ewart Brown retires in October. Mr Lister started speaking at a press conference at Alaska Hall on Court Street minutes ago.

With approximately three months until delegates select the new leader, Mr Lister promises to launch a campaign to both seek a mandate from the voting public to lead the country, as well as engage the delegates saying “at the end of the day, it will come down to the delegates . I will show them the respect they deserve and will engage them openly and honestly throughout this campaign.”

He stresses that while he is standing for election, he isn’t subscribing to the notion that some may perceive that it is”his turn,” saying he sees it as “Bermuda’s turn.” Saying that “it is time to give government back to the people,” Mr Lister said he would strive to run a “listening government”, and not run things as he personally desires, but listen to the public and address their needs and concerns.

Clearly stating he is “proud of many of the accomplishments of the PLP Government; these include better programs for seniors, free schooling at the Bermuda College, the building of the new Berkeley Institute”, he also lauded recent initiatives put in place to address rising crime levels such as bringing in experienced police officers, increasing training levels, and starting the use of tasers.

Mr Lister also said he wants to move the country in a forward thinking manner, and not divide, saying he has seen some signs “throwbacks from the past”, and signs of people “being pitted against each other”, and “that’s not what he got into politics for.” He said although he recognizes that racism still exists, the time for the races being against each other, and non-Bermudians and Bermudians being against each other has passed.

On international business Mr Lister said “If we are to restore our economic standing we must engage the international companies. We must dust off the welcome mat and start over, listening, facilitating and sharing”

On the very imporant issue of crime, Mr Lister said we must address the issue both long term and short term, going on to say:

More importantly, we must look at the root causes of crimes as the band aid approach will no longer be sufficient. Enough studies have been done on this problem now we must work more effectively in implementing the studies recommendations. Consideration will be given to increasing the time spent in jail before release on parole. Rehab programs in prison will be made mandatory and those offenders refusing to participate will see their opportunity for early released fade away.

Addressing Bermuda’s debt, Mr Lister said:

Capital spending will be cut to reduce the country’s debt burden. Each project will be reviewed to determine the necessity of moving the project forward now. Taxes have a become a burden to the people of Bermuda. I will authourize a tax review to determine how the amount necessary to operate the government can be collected in a manner that is fair to all. Along with a tax review, must come program reviews to determine the effectiveness of government’s spending. We must ensure that programs established years ago still effectively address needs in our society.

Terry Lister was educated in Bermuda at the Southampton Glebe School and the Berkeley Institute. After studying at Trinity College School in Port Hope, Ontario, he became a Bermuda Government Scholar, completing his Bachelor of Commerce Degree at Queen’s University School of Business Kingston, Ontario. At York University in Toronto he graduated with a Master’s of Business Administration Degree. Upon graduation he worked in Toronto with the accounting firm of Price Waterhouse and qualified as a Chartered Accountant. He returned to Bermuda in 1980 and in 1981 open his own accountancy practice. In September 1982, he joined Deloitte and Touche as a full partner where he remained until 1998 when he retired to become a full time politician.

In 1993, Mr Lister was appointed to the Senate where he served until becoming a MP in 1998, when he became Minister of Development, Opportunity and Government Services in the first PLP Government. He has represented constituency 33, Sandys South, since being elected to the House of Assembly in 1998.

Although no official announcements have been made by other politicians, speculation exists that others who may possibly challenge for leadership include Deputy Premier and Finance Minister Paula Cox, and former MP and now backbencher Dale Butler.

Update 10:49am: When asked about debt, Mr Lister is saying like many Governments “we like to add and add and never subtract”, and we must reduce spending.

Update 10:50am: When asked if like Barack Obama, he would be inheriting a lot of issues and does that worry him, Mr Lister said yes, but he loves Bermuda, “this little island”, and he sees so much potential within us.

Update 10:53am: When asked about the heavy use of consultants, he says Bermuda has plenty of qualified people who can consult, and he will not be afraid to use overseas experts when warranted, but will not be taking the taxpayer’s money to get studies done to “litter the bathroom” wall.

Update 11am: Press conference is over. Photos and video to come…

Update 2:00pm: Mr Lister’s full speech from this morning has been added here.

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