Photos: 2011 PLP Christmas Party

December 16, 2011

They decked the halls of Alaska Hall with boughs of holly last night [Dec.15] when the Progressive Labour Party hosted its annual Christmas Party at its Court Street headquarters.

The road was closed off outside Alaska Hall, with a DJ set up outside playing seasonal music.

And the interior of the party’s headquarters was festively decorated for the holiday season, with food and drinks on offer.

Various party officials took turns serving the food and drinks; with Senators David Burt and Diallo Rabain acting as bartenders and backbencher Dale Butler carving up the turkey.

Those in attendance included Premier Paula Cox, Ministers Zane DeSilva, Michael Weeks, Dame Jennifer Smith, Wayne Perinchief and Marc Bean, Members of Parliament Neletha Butterfield, Walter Roban, Dale Butler and Walter Lister, Senators Burt, Rabain and Vince Ingham,  PLP candidates Neville Tyrrell and Stephen Todd, PLP Public Relations Officer Curtis Williams, former press secretary Jamahl Simmons and more.

Click to enlarge photos:

Read More About

Category: All, News, News, Photos, Politics, Politics

Comments (52)

Trackback URL | Comments RSS Feed

  1. Create some Spin says:

    Ok so free food and drink in a recession and less than 300 people show up either poor marketing or your grass roots support has died as trust me they aint got no money to even buy lunch much less all that grade A meat you all served last night

    Spin that spin doctors

    • got my ticket says:

      Its a plp event, not govt. I think its a bit unfair and “haterish” to go attacking a function like this.

      Pick one’s battles, let them enjoy their christmas party.

  2. PLP All The Way says:

    Create some Spin

    you are not being honest for the whole event that finished just before 10pm about 400 people passed through although if you think about it Dr Brown would have made better use of the streets being blocked off by having a stage and creating a real vibe and buzz to draw at least 2,000+ people for the event so you are slightly right but your numbers are about 100 – 150 supporters short

    • navin johnson says:

      sadly Dr. Brown was is California watching his Son get sentenced…..

  3. Merry Christmas says:

    Free Kool-Aid!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    When’s the next Set?

  4. Supporter says:

    anything less than 1000 people for free food and liquor makes you wonder whats up?

    former leaders drew bigger crowds for paid events

    • MATURE says:

      You all need a life who cares how many people came to the Christmas Party

      It’s christmas for crying out loud stop attacking and enjoy the season didn’t your job hava a christmas party or is it that your jealous you weren’t invited.

  5. Family Man says:

    If I’d known the Pee el Pee were hosting yet another party I’d have told everyone at the Salvation Army shelter to go on over for some free food and drink.

    I wonder how many Xmas food hampers they could have supplied. For the Kool-aid drinkers though, ’tis always better to receive than to give.

    • Another Supporter says:

      For the record PLP will be giving out hampers tomorrow (Saturday).

    • Itsaboutallofus says:

      FYI -The PLP has over the past years and will be donating hampers this year.

  6. Dave West says:

    From the photos it appears as though Bermuda is 100% Black.
    Good to know!

    • Maddog says:

      AND LOOKING AT TV YOU WOULD THINK THE WORLD IS 100% WHITE.

      • James says:

        If one didn’t know how divided Bermuda remains, all one need do is take a peek at this website. Why do we even bother with Rolfe’s Big Conversation. We just don’t like each other, end of story!

  7. Sycophant says:

    ………..the Kool-Aid last night and the liquor was sharp Bie you lot should have come out Premier was even talking to the regular folk and good times were had by all

  8. Can You See Me Now says:

    It’s the holidays, give it a break…its a Party’s party, not a Government’s party…If it was over the top, ya’ll be complaining too.

  9. drunkenUrsula says:

    did the OBA supply any hampers.

  10. Razor says:

    Glad to see they were partying it up as many more unfortunate Islanders struggle to pay for the weekly groceries due to their ineptitude. Party it up!

  11. Makai Dickerson says:

    Yes it was a very good event and it felt so good to see people of all walks of life mingling together and enjoying their time. It was also nice to serve drinks and food along side fellow executive members, Ministers ,Senators, MP’s, and Candidates. It was so much fun to see people jokingly making fun with being served in that light from the officials. Those doors were truly open to all and I am proud of the PLP Party for showing once again that their there for the people. Now I hope that if you or someone you know is in need this Christmas that you have spoken up to the various groups donating hampers and we will be passing out some this weekend to those we have gotten word of. The PLP Party is well aware of the struggle many are facing and we try our best to do as much as we can. Do ever forget that the Party is not the Government the party holds the Government therefore our funds are based on Party members donating not tax dollars. We do our part.

    • Dru Hill says:

      Silence yourself, peasant.

      • Insulting says:

        And you UBP/OBA people wonder why working class black people don’t support you? Maybe it’s because of the arrogant, pompous and colonialist mindset that is oozing out of this post.

        • Clinton J.A. Paynter OBA Affiliated says:

          Where is your proof that “Dru Hill” is a One Bermuda Alliance supporter? Regardless of which side of the political divide you are on painting people with a broad brush is played out.

          • Insulting says:

            LOL, you think he supports the PLP? I think he’s a PLP hater. And, who do the PLP haters vote for?

          • James says:

            I think we can safely arrive at that conclusion.

  12. Manipulating Our Youth says:

    makai,

    its time for you to realise that despite the radio show and you being on the executive most view you as a simplistic pawn who continues to be used like a marionnette by the Leader and the Sycophants around her who like you have little to offer so latch on for survival and relevance.

    you are making an attempt to better yourself but i would now encourage you to ask these same people who you worship to give you a student loan or government grant to allow you to go overseas to get an education so you can think independently and not just lap up your orders or someone elses mantra

    if they refuse to fund you please reach out to the boogeyman white community who youve been progammed to hate, as after theyve educated you at that point for the first time in your life you would realise the importance of how influencial and relevant you can be for the youth and working class as an advocate in this our home Bermuda

    if you continue down this path of being the motivated illiterate pawn your pawns will simpky use and discard you please Son, invest in you education and personal development as you have a lot to offer but spek now like an uneducated fool with a reading age of 12 and if you make them continue to use you like this you will be bitter and lonely in 10 years when the PLP and country has moved pn from the irrelevant politics they are teaching you

    and to the Puppet Masters, shame on you for exploiting this boy to divide and try to conquer the generation that will very soon make you each irrelevant in he political landscape as when Makai becomes enlightened you will all be his first target politically

    • Insulting says:

      Wow. This post is incredibly vile and personally insulting. What evidence do you have to back up your assertion in paragraph 1? Given that you probably have none other than your own conjecture, I’d argue that you are taking your own view of Makai and ascribing it to others.

      It shocks me that you UBP/OBA people have NO IDEA why black Bermuda doesn’t support you. Maybe because of this kind of arrogant, pompous and, I dare say racist attitude that says just because someone is working class and black that their opinions are less valuable than yours. Slave master knows what’s best for the slaves, right?

      Makai is a young man on the right course. He works hard, is passionate and is involved in the community. He mentors young, at risk youth. He is striving to improve his life and lives within his community. He is on the right path and you are basically telling him that he is worth nothing?

      It’s also clear that the party values him. Remember, he is NOT EVEN 30 and he already sits on the executive committee and hosts a show. He ran a spirited campaign in #34 and I wouldn’t be surprised to see him run again. The PLP is a party made up of people of all classes and it is reflective in the candidates and MPs we chose. You’ll note that throughout our history, we’ve always had a mix of people from different walks of society represented as MPs, Ministers, Senators, party executive members, etc.

      The biggest insults in this post are the language you use. You call him “illiterate,” and you call him “son.” Why not say, boy, bend over and pull out those weeds from my garden? Your language and perspective is incredibly telling. It’s a shock that you write these kinds of arrogant screeds and then wonder why black people don’t trust or support your UBP/OBA party.

      • Clinton J.A. Paynter OBA Affiliated says:

        Where is your proof that “Manipulating our Youth” is an OBA supporter?

        • Insulting says:

          He is clearly a PLP hater. Who do the PLP haters vote for? The PLP? Uh, no. Use some logic, Clinton.

          • Manipulating Our Youth says:

            after 5 years of sitting in CC I am well aware of Makai’s abilities

            i apologise for callingnhim illiterate and son – i take it all back and know that he will be a good candidate for th party when rolled out either for this or the next election

            his contributions in the community make him a capable leader and his independently developed views on our black experience and journey from tuckers town displacement and urban gentrification in the project that was back a town make him well versed to represent the working class and be successful

            again i was simply upset with his irritatingly simplistic view of the PLP christmas party held this week until now i thought that the pro vetted all public releases made by officers of the party for consistency of message and purpose, but maybe Makai’s post was just innocent and wll intentioned

            please accept my apologies

            the OBA are unbelievable and have no moral authority to lead with their weak bunch of neophyte candidates in waiting its a open secret that if they win all instructions and strategy will come from dunkley gibbons trimmingham having a lunch at mid ocean, for the OBA to unveil candidates like devrae with the mohawk and others who are supposed to represent the working class black bermudian show that even they have it totally wrong when it comes to representing the workin class also the Oba a only poking holes in mistakes we may have made due to the transient nature of our leadership and penchant for camps within the party, weaknesses that disrupt our ability to implement a sustainable strategy that naturally develops and gets renewed by new ideas from our membership on a natural collaborative basis and not just when there is an internal crisis where we need to create the illusion of actually listening to what people are suggesting in the party, executive, caucus, senate and parliament

            we must look seriously inward and move on from the mistakes so that our supporters are not so frustrated that they vent in any forum that gives anonymity but at least some form of voice as like the ubp a voice in the party if it is out of message means you are looked down upon as being anti-leader

            i didntn create this culture and my comments will probably not solve it but if we are being honest this theme of each leader plaing to a camp of supporters and then rewarding them with boards or senatorships can only weaken the legacy we leave for the next younger set of PLP supporters

            • Insulting says:

              I do not believe that you are a former PLP CC member. If you are, name yourself.

    • Itsaboutallofus says:

      This is absolutely ridiculous. Makai, don’t even be swayed by this ignorance. When people are doing positive things, there are always the elements that are hell bent on bringing them down. Keep doing what you are doing.

      It is this element that is so negative in Bermuda, not so much the PLP.

    • Makai Dickerson says:

      @ Manipulating our youth….First off let me say that you could not have picked a better name for yourself as that is exactly what you are doing. Now on to your post, I would be offended if I felt that you knew me and were stating an informed opinion of me, however it is clear that you are speaking from the outside looking in.

      It is amusing that you would speak about me being uneducated on a topic that you clearly have no knowledge on. You have showed your ignorance of politics particularly as it relates to the Progressive Labor Party. Let me offer you some free advice, never tell someone to seek higher education to better themselves while speaking so foolishly about their life and the things they are involved in because when they are more informed then you are they would not take you seriously.

      “its time for you to realize that despite the radio show and you being on the executive most view you as a simplistic pawn who continues to be used like a marionnette by the Leader and the Sycophants around her who like you have little to offer so latch on for survival and relevance.”

      Who are the “most” you speak of? If you are referring to people out side of the PLP members and supporters and even non- partisan, then you are talking about people who would not support me even if I had a masters in law and they are the true ones who hold no relevance in my life nor the better good of Bermuda. I sit on the Executive Committee with the Party Leader and speak on what is laid on the table and cast a vote just as she does, while her views do carry a great deal of influence as she is the Party Leader everyone around the table votes based on how they feel about the matter at hand including myself so I can not understand how it is possible that she or anyone else can “use” me.

      “you are making an attempt to better yourself but i would now encourage you to ask these same people who you worship to give you a student loan or government grant to allow you to go overseas to get an education so you can think independently and not just lap up your orders or someone elses mantra”

      I have every intention to further educate myself and am aware of the many grants and services available to me thanks to the commitment of the PLP government to allow all the opportunity to advance themselves. However my decision to seek higher learning has noting to do with what you have outlined and more to do with my personal goals and my commitment to be of service to the people in as many areas as possible. There’s no book nor class room that could teach me how to think independently, that I already know and that I do. Nobody points out how I should think nor act. I speak only what I believe in. I worship only The Most High no man/women could ever receive such a privilege from me.

      “if they refuse to fund you please reach out to the boogeyman white community who youve been progammed to hate, as after theyve educated you at that point for the first time in your life you would realise the importance of how influencial and relevant you can be for the youth and working class as an advocate in this our home Bermuda”

      I have never been taught to “hate the white community” and I don’t hate them. What I have no respect for is racist white supremacist who feel that in order for one to be of importance or relevant they must ether look like them or follow their ways completely including learning their text book life. I am a man who loves all mankind I hate no one, I may not like some nor respect them but trust and believe that spreads well across racial lines. This is why I don’t respect you, because instead of you approaching me like a genuine person and asking me if you can offer me an opinion as it relates to my life you decided to spew you misinformed views of me on a news sight under a pin name. Who are you to cast such judgment on me? In fact who are you besides a cowered with a computer and fingers to type? Makai Dickerson, that’s what it says on this post so you know who it is speaking to you.

      “if you continue down this path of being the motivated illiterate pawn your pawns will simply use and discard you please Son, invest in you education and personal development as you have a lot to offer but spek now like an uneducated fool with a reading age of 12 and if you make them continue to use you like this you will be bitter and lonely in 10 years when the PLP and country has moved pn from the irrelevant politics they are teaching you.”

      Don’t know of the pawn you speak of because I am a worker for the people I do all I do so that my peers see a better way and know that they don’t always have to follow the grain and can do something different. And you keep on this education thing so I must assume that you are educated. So please explain to me how you can be such an advocate for further education yet could make so many spelling and grammar errors as you have in your post? I mean they thought me in primary 2 that I have to start off all sentences with capitol letters. Did you miss that part of the education process? I know I make my own mistakes when typing but then again I’m not the one calling someone else illiterate. I think even a 12 year old could have written your post better then you have so thanks for acknowledging that I’m a step ahead of you in that regard.

      “and to the Puppet Masters, shame on you for exploiting this boy to divide and try to conquer the generation that will very soon make you each irrelevant in he political landscape as when Makai becomes enlightened you will all be his first target politically”

      I do not know who you are speaking to because no such puppet masters exist around me. No one pulls my strings because I have none. I am a blue collar worker and I am proud to be, I represent a segment of Bermuda deserving of a hard worker on their behalf. I make no apologies for who I support nor the level of education I have received. I am aware that some fear me and hate when I speak out but I know that it is only because when I speak you can not doubt what I say because I am direct and clear. Look at how your post has nothing to do with my first post on this story, its simply because you can not deny anything I said so felt that if you go personal it would discourage me. Not going to happen I will continue down the path I am walking guided by The Most High and determined to make this a better place then it was before I arrived. As long as I’m around the people will have a strong person of labor on their side. I am not afraid of you or your side so you can attempt to tear me down because I don’t meet your standards but it will not work because those who I am in the ring for know what’s really going on and I can count on their support as it has brought me this far. Remember my seat in the executive is an elected seat therefore I was put there by a majority not appointed by one or a few. Gets your facts right before you make a statement because you have come out looking the fool.

      • Protocol says:

        please do not respond to posts mr. dickerson as they are designed to provoke you are a motivated young man and this is good but dont let these people draw you into debates online

        the Party should consider a vetting process for all public releases or posts coming from our officers as oftentimes even when are right the best response is no response our record of social programs speaks for itself no member of our great Party should waste time on this forum as it takes away from the great things we have done andncontinue to do since the PLP was formed

        no more posts please we had a christmas party for the whole community how does it disintegrate into the posts above?

        • Makai Dickerson says:

          I’m having a hard time understanding your original intention in starting this conversation about me. First you changed your story when someone challenged you and now you’ve changed your pin name and pretend to be a different party member with a different view. If you didn’t know, that little funny looking cartoon face on your post doesn’t change just because you change your name as long as you are using the same device to post it will remain the same. That’s how I know that Protocol and Manipulating Youth are the same person, that and the fact that you type the same way under both names. (Not using capital letters to began sentences) I’m done with this conversation Happy Holidays to you.

          • Scott L says:

            ooooh i must say in the last few elections i’ve definitely had my online “discussions” with you Makai, but brilliant eye for detail here! Well caught out.

            glad the party was enjoyed.

        • Clinton J.A. Paynter OBA Affiliated says:

          Punctuation?

        • star man says:

          “… our record of social programs speaks for itself … the great things we have done and continue to do since the PLP was formed.”

          You’re kidding, right? Would you mind listing them for the unenlightened.

    • James says:

      Let’s be honest, there are sufficient examples of BS under the PLP and UBP before them. The two party system doesn’t work and why the voting public, who have the real power, continue down this path, is beyond me.

      • navin johnson says:

        just part of the tradition James….we are way too small for this expensive , polarizing and ineffective form of Government…..we do not need 36 different voting districts for a tiny place like bermuda…

      • navin johnson says:

        just part of the tradition James….we are way too small for this expensive , polarizing and ineffective form of Government…..we do not need 36 different voting districts for a tiny place like bermuda…and where are the photo’s of Laverne

  13. True Dat says:

    PLP IS SO FULL OF S#!T!!!!!

  14. Dave West says:

    $1.3 Billion!
    50,000 Bermudians!

    = Income Tax for the future to pay down this debt caused by the 2 clowns E. Brown and P. Cox!

    • Cleancut says:

      3 clowns, you left out Col.Burch, he is the reason hundreds of people have lost their jobs, and he is returning, the most damage is yet to come.

  15. Sad says:

    very unfortunate that opposition supporters have to invent fictional PLP Insiders to snipe at Makai to try to get us to distrust and fight each other, i saw Makai the other night and he has his own perspective he is making a contibution

    unlike you he doesnt fly in to Bermuda to vote in the hope the glory days can be restored

    when will you start posting about the UBP politicians who are refusing to give up safe seats to OBA newcomers?

    when will you start posting about Mark Pettingill and tht episode in your amazibg Party?

    do not confuse our passive nature considering what happened in this Island during 1900 – 1998, for stupidity.

    like you, we too will reinvent ourselves but when it suits us not you.

  16. Ya says:

    De party lovin prty

  17. James says:

    How come no picture of the American publicist James Kerwin who has offered his services to the PLP in the election run up?

  18. Reform says:

    thanks for the Party Exec Team and Leader all had a good time

  19. Watching says:

    They had a party on their way in and WE WILL HAVE A PARTY ON THEIR WAY OUT..SOOOOOON

  20. James says:

    Also, no sign of any youth in the pictures – so much for all the talk about them being the future, blah blah blah. Maybe Jim Kerwin was outside rounding them up which explains his absence.

  21. It’s just a Christmas party. Let the PLP MP’s, candidates and supporters have some fun and enjoy themselves. I am NOT a supporter but they deserve to have a little ham and turkey just as much as the next man.

    What does irk me though is their propensity to wear all green errything and those little PLP buttons on their lapels at all times. What…is the PLP a cult or something?

  22. sticky says:

    last election we saw the same things happening, the same talk, the same type of hate comming from those who seemingly hate the PLP and in most cases people of colour.

  23. star man says:

    The PLP is cultish if you think about it….