Full Text: Anthony Richardson’s Speech
The full text of Anthony Richardson’s speech follows below. Mr Richardson will be the PLP candidate for the by-election in Constituency #12 Devonshire South Central.
Good morning Madam Premier and Party Leader, Deputy Premier, Ministers of Government, Parliamentarians, voters and residents from Devonshire South Central, family, friends and the general public.
Michelangelo is credited with the quote… ‘The greatest danger for most of us is not that our aim is too high and we miss it, but that it is too low and we reach it.’ Today I choose to aim high!!
I decided to offer myself as a candidate for Devonshire South Central as a continuation of my public service over the past 20 years. In a political context, service to the community from elected office is a humbling opportunity that should not be taken lightly.
My decision was not taken lightly, especially since many voters consider Devonshire South Central to be a ‘safe seat’ for the opposition.Notwithstanding the historical voting in the constituency, I will not be deterred. I will not take the voters for granted. I will canvass, listen to their concerns and try to provide solutions. In summary, I will be available and responsive to their needs.
I understand that in this changing Bermuda, voters do not want candidates that take their votes for granted. The voters in Devonshire South Central can therefore reject the assumptions made by the OBA. They can be bold and courageous!
They can return a PLP candidate for the first time. They can vote for the best candidate and not simply vote on Party lines. I believe I am the best candidate, based on my 20 years professional accounting experience, community service and education.
I am a former Chairman of the Bermuda Hospitals Board, served on the former Hospital Insurance Commission, was the first CEO of the Bermuda Health Council and provided administrative support to the Government Employees Health Insurance Scheme. I was also involved in the initial discussions to introduce Future Care to Bermuda. I currently serve on the Bermuda Diabetes Association.
The combination of these experiences will help me to intelligently discuss the provision of healthcare services with the constituents.One of my current activities is service on the recently appointed Price Control Commission. The Commission is charged with obtaining relevant information about prices for essential goods and services. I look forward to discussing any concerns the constituents may have and taking the information back to the Commission.
The Progressive Labour Party is committed to serving all of Bermuda’s residentsbased on a core value of social equity. One relevant example is the Long Term Resident’s policy which was addressed during the first term of the PLP government.
As a result, many of Bermuda’s Portuguese residents (including some in Devonshire South Central) were finally able to call Bermuda home. They were previously in a state of limbo for several years under the former government. More recent examples are the subsidies for education, bus fares and day care.
To conclude, I am very excited by the prospect of following in the footsteps of some of the PLP forefathers that I had a chance to work with – leaders like the late Dame Lois, the late L. Frederick Wade and the late C. Eugene Cox.
My final acknowledgement goes to my wife Holly and children, Jordyn and Kallan aged 9 and 5 respectively – a genuine source of strength and inspiration. Strength to press on from day to day and inspiration for the next generation.
I look forward to the opportunity to meet the voters and residents of Devonshire South Central during the coming weeks – on their door steps and at public meetings. I also look forward to serving them as their Parliamentary representative after November 1st.
Constituents can contact me directly via email at arichardson – at – plp.bm or telephone 292-2264.
Thank-you
Seems like a nice enough guy. But this election is about Change and Hope. PLP will just continue on with their status quo if re-elected as govt. A vote for the PLP is rewarding bad behaviour.
This gentleman based on his accomplishments and seemingly rational personna would get my vote. Shame he is associated with the PLP…as the old timers say, “Show me your company, and I’ll tell you who you are.”
Is that the same a lying down with dogs & wondering why you have fleas?
And being associated with the OBA/UBP is a positive thing???
This just shows how the PLP really feels about Anthony Richardson who for all intents and purposes seems to be a straight-up, talented, decent guy with a great family. They have proposed for a SAFE OBA SEAT. He won’t stand a chance against Craig.
I don’t think the PLP really want smart ethical guys like him challenging the old guard who are still sponging off us taxpayers, big time.
But I can’t figure out why a bright guy like Mr Richardson would be interested in the washed-out old PLP. In any case, maybe they’ll run him in another constituency where he stands a chance. The PLP seem very short on intelligent folks with integrity.
Best of Luck Anthony ! This definately breathes a new breath into the PLP party. Wish I were in your constituency as you are a man of integrity and I would have no hestitation in electing you.
Mr. Richardson, comes with much experience. If I lived there I would vote for him!
He may capable and of good morals, etc. but he will still be serving under the same old PLP, and that is not the real change we need. They could put Superman in there and I would still vote for the other guy.
I never voted PLP but do praise the PLP for not placing a White candidate just to play into race politics, can be a positive for the Cox Administration. I will be voting but waiting to see who the independent candidates are because we are all tired of the party politricks.
….i guess you didnt read this today, lol
http://www.royalgazette.com/article/20110919/NEWS01/709199948
bottom line they did not go with a white candidate? lol on you.
Congratulations Congratulations, MR. Richardson,
You are an outstanding, brilliant, outstanding and first-rate candidate to serve Bermuda. You are a good person who has provided great service to your community. I wish you all the best, there could not be a better person to serve the people of #12.
The PLP have such a wide-range of young intelligent, intellectual, dedicated hardworking, young people who are willing to stand-up and serve their communities. I look forward to these young persons taking over the ranks of the party, and moving Bermuda forward. This suggests that the PLP have a bright future ahead of them.
Specialgirl4,
i just figured out who you are today, after reading so many of your previous posts
how much are you paid for these posts, or are you simply part of the inside team at cabinet who are instructed to create propoganda. its like the 3rd Riech all over again, but now to fool people into thinking that only a black man can take care of a black man and that anyone white has a Klansman outfit tucked away under their bike seat
Bermuda is awash with young Bermudians of all racial backgrounds who are successful in their careers or businesses, they will not go a mile near the PLP or OBA beacuse of the negativity and crowd that both parties attract
as far as the PLP is concerned the young talented people you mention are ignored by you and the MPs simply because they are talented and have better options than $70,000 or selling their morals and constituents for $168,000+, so please stop pretending to embrace the people who you will eventually have to rebuild the Party you and your champagne drinking friends have wrecked in your gaiety
go away you all you Cogs and Cogettes the curtain is about to fall on your final act
“The PLP have such a wide-range of young intelligent, intellectual, dedicated hardworking, young people who are willing to stand-up and serve their communities.” Yes, this is true… but it is also true that most of them are ignored by the party… sad really.
Like you were Clinton by the UBP, or so you claim. Now that’s sad because you knew they were all washed up but still wanted the title eh? Dame going kick butt.
It’d be great if we could have a referendum to turn the whole political system upside down as the majority of people I’ve spoken with are fed up with party politics. The Westminster system is not for us! 15 years ago, many were tired of the UBP and consequently voted for the “other guy”… now they’re tired of him and seem to want to vote for the new old “other guy” on the block. It’d be great if we had all independent people running that way people would vote for the person they honestly thought was best for the job, rather than because of their allegiance.
It’s amazing to me how people’s perception and the propoganda spread regarding the PLP have already eliminated a very good canidate from consideration. I would submit that despite the tough economical time the world is facing that the current government has done a relatively good job in maintaining a high standard of living, productivity and yes, even integrity throughout. Especially considering the plethora of problems that were inherited. Crime doesn’t go up nor tourism down overnight. Anyone that really cares to check the record would see that since becoming the government the PLP has implemented many things to help nip some issues in the bud and uproot some bad weeds we’ve had for decades. Also planting new iniatives to help us bloom. Doubt it… genuinely seek and you will find.
Bottomline.. in my view, Bermudians are amongst the best complainers in the world. We love to complain in the background while doing nothing ourselves. I applaud all politicians for “doing” for their country and will select the one I feel is the best to “do” the job. Not someone who is great at talking about it… but being about it.
Hey Tony , Man you going to get your butt whooped on down there . Get your jaw in shape cause you gonna get knocked out dude .