Dennis Lister Retains Sandys Seat

September 26, 2011

[Updated] Constituency #35 Sandys North Central held their candidate selection meeting this evening [Sept.26], and Dennis Lister won over PLP executive officer J. Dawn Simmons.

Dennis Lister Dawn Simmons PLP Sept 26 2011-1

The seat is presently held by Dennis Lister, who was first elected to Parliament in the General Election of 1989. He presently serves as a backbencher, however previously served as Minister of Youth & Sport, Minister of the Environment and Minister of Works & Engineering.

The PLP has been holding candidate selection meetings islandwide in recent days. In Constituency #7 Hamilton South Diallo Rabain defeated incumbent Darius Tucker, while in Constituency #21 Pembroke South East Rolfe Commissiong defeated incumbent Ashfield DeVent in what has been the most controversial selection thus far.

In Constituency #29 Southampton East Zane DeSilva was selected to replace the retiring Stanley Lowe, and in Constituency #32 Southampton West incumbent Randy Horton retained his seat. In Constituency #34 Sandys South Central Kim Wilson replaced the retiring Walter Lister.

Five days later, the results of Constituency #18 Pembroke West Central remain under dispute, with a ‘rematch’ expected after the first vote between Minister Neletha Butterfield and challenger Senator David Burt ended in controversy with allegations of an underage relative taking part in the voting.

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Comments (18)

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  1. will we get there???? says:

    This is sad….As a voting PLP member (not in this Primary) I can honestly say that I am really disappointed in the selection of candidates for the west. This is a display of a popularity contest at its best. Though I believe that Minister Wilson’s win was based on popularity as well, I still give her the benefit of the doubt because she has yet to be a MP and therefore deserves the opportunity to show herself in that light. I had a vote in her election and she did not get my vote, but I still have trust in her. However, the rest of the west crew, Horton, Terry and Denis Lister and Scott, have displayed their unwillingness to do what needs to be done in the west end. They have held Ministry and represented us for a number of years and have yet to address our needs.

    When will this end? When will the voters stop voting for the most popular and start voting for the person who presents the best plan and genuine delivery of their views to make things happen. “The chief cause of failure and disappointment, is trading what we want most for what we want at the moment.” Vote to the issues and see the person who displays that, they truly have thought of ways to address them, and go with that confidence that you have in them.

    I have seen a couple of the Primaries and voted at one. I saw your response to certain candidates and felt that you believed in them more then the one you voted for, yet you chose based on fame and personal connection. When voting you should always vote based on your spiritual and moral connection. Nothing more. If you vote for any other reason you truly and blindly lock yourself within a group, and that gives reason for a divide.

    We lost what may have been a good representative tonight, and held on to one who has shown that he will do nothing. The funny part is now he was given verification that he needs do nothing, because his fame will get him in every time. We’re not helping him or ourselves like that. Sorry that this is on a media site and it seems harsh but I have a pin name and there’s no need to know who I am and what I’m saying goes to every body on every side in Bermuda because many of you can use a part of what I’m saying on yourselves.

    We need to wake up and get to work I’m PLP and want them to win but sometimes lessons need to be learned. And one lesson could be loosing 4 out of 5 seats in the west because the people you chose to elect to represent you are not working for you. Its about the glitz and glamor to them.

    We need to wake up or will never get to work. Wake up Bermuda.

    • Vote for Me says:

      @ will we get there
      The beauty of these ‘primaries’ is that they eliminate the sense of safe seats for any sitting MPs. Without the ‘primaries’ the MP in the safe seat is able to carry on representing the voters until the voters decide to make a change. Irrespective of whether we like the new PLP candidate selection rules, they are definitely increasing democracy within the party and increasing the political awareness for members and the general public.

      They also remove the sense of complacency that may arise for sitting MPs because they must continuously work to retain the confidence of branch members and sign up new members. Failure to do so will result in them being replaced by a new PLP candidate.

      Your other comments about how people are voting is interesting. We are all challenging the voters (PLP, OBA and UBP) to vote based on the quality of the candidate. In many cases, we have the oppotunity to do so ourselves but refuse to do so for a variety of reasons (mostly fear). In summary, we are afraid to BE the change we want to SEE. We often want someone else to create the change we want.

      In summary, whilst you may be personally unhappy with the result tonight and a few others that you attended, I hope you are comforted by the fact that this new ‘primary process’ bodes well for the Party and Bermuda.

    • rubber bong says:

      The same could be said for Doc Brown. he was a popularity contest (truly at it’s worst) and so was the entire 2007 election. ordinary citizens said what you are saying about the good doctor but the party base defended him to the hilt. called us ordinary black folk uncle toms, house ni**ers and said we must be ashamed to be black. he saw his term through and set us all WAY back. now those same people are crying about putting the “right” person in. we all know Rolf Commissiong’s views and he was elected by his branch members. we could argue that he is the “wrong” person but that’s the nature of politics. he who gets the most votes wins.

    • Real Talk(original) says:

      I’m feeling you “will we get there”… Look, this country is in a mess and it is very discouraging to see some of the same people responsible for getting us here being given the nod to get us out… People are crying out for change yet we are given the same old same old and expected to fall into line and vote accordingly. I’m with you. Sometimes lessons need to be learned.

  2. Graham Maule says:

    I take exception to the remarks above. I admit that Dennis Lister is a friend of mine, and I have been a Somerset resident for all of my life, with the exception of 4 years spent overseas in University.

    I choose to use my real name, so that I am not accused of cowardice.

    I have become tired of reading the endless stream of vitriolic comments on this website, and I have decided that the majority of people who post negative comments are keen to be a part of the problem, rather than being a part of the solution. Talk is cheap. Action definitely speaks louder than words.

    If we continue to blame politicians for the problems that our society faces, without trying to motivate the entire community to make a commitment to work together in addressing these problems, we cannot expect any alleviation of these problems. The entire community needs to be involved, not just the politicians.

    If anyone has any issue with my comments, I apologise for offending you, but I am the Vice President of a community organisation in Somerset, and I know that this organisation has benefitted by having support from a wide cross section of the local community in Bermuda. We receive support from members of every political party in Bermuda. I hope that the entire community can realise that we need to collectively address the problems in our local community.

    I am tired of driving home and seeing the same faces of the MOB members in a certain area close to my house every day. I find it ironic that this is in an area that is practically next door to the Somerset Police Station. I know that at least one member comes from a family that I consider to be my extended family, and it breaks my heart to think of how this young man has chosen this path. His father is like a brother to me.

    • specialgirl4 says:

      Well said “Vote For Me” and Graham Maule. It is very disappionting that the level of debate regarding the vitriolic comments by some individuals is extremely sad and bad. I hope some day it will change.

  3. Honourable says:

    dawn stop the sour apples, you lost, deal with it.

    popularity or not, kim and the listers won. period

    • Joella Dawn Simmons says:

      Please note that I am PLP All The Way and would never post any remarks against another Candidate or member of the PLP.

      I wish Dennis and Constituency 35 all the best.

  4. Goodluck says:

    I think either Dennis Lister or Dawn Simmons would have been a good representative for 35. It shows that the PLP has talent beneath the surface of the MP’s that are ready willing and able to get the work done. Hopefully they can all work together for the good of the wider Somerset community.

    • PLP ALL THE WAY says:

      The two short sentences submitted by Joella Dawn Simmons definitely speaks to her character.
      Try meditating on the TRUE ESSENCE of what she said, Welcome to enlightment!!

      • PLP ALL THE WAY says:

        OPS!!!! ENLIGHTENMENT **

      • Skeptical says:

        That can be taken several ways because it means to me that she is voting purely along party lines rather than thinking for oneself and voting for the best candidate or party. Voting along party lines is so old school. It worries me that if things got really bad and proof was shown that mismanagement or corruption was actually occurring, would it still be “PLP all the way”?????

        • Joella Dawn Simmons says:

          @skeptical:

          No, it means that the Public domain is not the place where I discuss my Party issues. How I decide to Vote is my personal decision and it will remain PLP.

          I work hard for my party and community and will always do so. To discredit anyone publicly while I work hard to get them elected is counterproductive.

          I was given the opportunity to challenge, I was not successful, it doesn’t mean my work stops.

          When people see that I am still working in my community, they will see that it is not about getting a Vote, it is about the ideals and values instilled in me; first, by my parents; also my church, community, mentors and any other individual who had a role in my development.

          As I stated before PLP All the Way All the Way PLP

          • Skeptical says:

            Not quite a reply to my post. If there were issues brought up that there was corruption or mismanagement occurring, would the vote still be “plp all the way” or would you vote for someone who showed integrity and honesty but stood for another party?

  5. Terry says:

    So what was the vote. PLP won’t tell us the community. Transparency my ass. They did before. Why not now.

    Oh well….to hell in a handbasket…..

    • PLP ALL THE WAY says:

      To Terry:

      Are you familiar with the term ” Protocol?” Any information imparted regarding the Progressive Labour Party is done by the appointed Public Relations Officer.

  6. Makai Dickerson says:

    We all have to work for the change we want to see. I’m not saying any of you are wrong or right, ether way we all have to pull up or sleeves and get things done. If you feel that your MP is not doing his or her job then stand and be counted, let them know how you feel and stay on them. Everyone elected in the Primary won by majority vote. They have been given the chance to lead in the work. I hope Will we get there’s confidence is restored by every one chosen to represent us in the west. I for one know that I will be there assisting them in any way I can to get the job done. Senator Wilson has my full backing in Sandy’s South Central and once she is elected I know she will hit the ground running. So yes we can and will Get There if we are all willing to work.

  7. B, a Lady says:

    Mr. Lister’s comment in the RG – ‘never a chance’ he would not retain his seat, shows how politicians take things for granted. An unfortunate, arrogant comment. Never a chance I’d vote for the PLP.