Live Updates: Premier Calls Election For July 18
[Updating] The Premier is holding a press conference this evening [June 8], and while the exact topic he intends to speak on is unknown, there is speculation the election may be called ahead of Friday’s scheduled motion of no confidence vote in the House of Assembly.
The press conference could be related to that, or it could be entirely unrelated, however, just in case it is any form of major statement, we will try and update as the press conference takes place.
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Well at least all the kids in school will be here to vote on July 18th!
Bye Bye OBA!!!!!
Clear Your Desk Now
Preasure, cant take de preasure
preasure,too much preasure
Whoe, whoe whoe
You are a troll who has just given up
Please folks if you are not registered to VOTE, DO IT NOW. There are only 7 days to get fully registered.
Bermuda needs to Stand up for Bermudians First. Its time to put into place a government that cares for the People.
Vote this OBA/UBP government out. Their own MPs have send a powerful message that OBA/UBP are not fit to govern, lets make it happen and change it now!! Vote PLP
Negative Ads have been seen put up by the OBA/UBP, and Dunkley is not been honest in that interview….even on line there are negative things posted by the OBA/UBP
You do realize you are actually in the minority right now .
You’ll be disappointed when you hear the results on July 19th then.
True PLP tard
Pressure busts pipes!
Dunkley that news conference was trash! You came off so defensive and unprepared. This is why you are a poor leader with all your surrogates surrounding you. How embarrassing for you and the UBP!
Good bye to your spineless, weak leadership!
What does surrogate mean?
You must be new here?
Yes tell me what it means.
i was going to respond but crap really doesn’t need acknowledgement
Well lets hope Putin dont have a say in this one.
Mmmmmmmmm
You’re forgetting you’re LMAO at the end of every post… You getting scared Eva?
You better hope he does…lmao
wow how shallow
we will all be fishing on the rocks if you put the plp back in
don’t cry it will be too late
from
200 million in the good to 1.4 billion in debt put them back you will see
2.2 billion in debt to 50 cent bermuda dollar
you get what you may ask for
Rubbish it was debt of $200M when they took over in 98 not “200 million in the good,” as u say the UBP wasn’t perfect as u try to make them out to be either.. Debt was only 1.3bn when this government took over and now it’s doubled. Men lie, Women lie, numbers don’t lie.
Um. Debt increased by 6x to $1.6bn or so during the last 5 years of PLP. They were running annual deficits of $400m, and increasing. They were losing jobs. The economy was shrinking by 7% a year. They were spending $100m a year on consultants, most of them overseas consultants. Friends did well, like Global Hue. Favourites were picked. Spending on schools was reduced. But for friends, Backhanders were given and accepted, undeclared and shrouded in secrecy. “Finders fees” were added to contractors bills to enrich insiders. It was a free-for-all.
While OBA has been angels in the last almost 5yrs yet the debt still doubled compared to 14yrs of PLP and Bermuda has less jobs today then in 2012 when they took over.. the elitist don’t have a clue other then to enrich their friends at the country club and hope it trickles off their plate on the floor for the majority to fight over.. Their priorities have been very clear on who they support and I know it’s not the country..
Jus wait on it plenty of dirt will be revealed once they’re removed from office as well.. I’ll bet everything I own that the airport is gonna expose some long term (30yr) deals with specific MP’s personal businesses and much more jus give it some time..
He came across as very tense to me. He’s worried. He says his hand wasn’t forced but it clearly was. The very process of a vote of no confidence is extremely embarrassing to any ruling party-things would get very ugly with all their so-called sins laid bare in the House. A vote of no confidence brought by the Opposition usually has very little chance of passing in the Westminster system-the key word here is USUALLY. However, in this case it was very likely that it would be successful. From my understanding-and anyone correct me if I’m wrong-the ruling party would then be compelled to resign (unlikely) or the Governor would dissolve Parliament and an election called anyway.
If the vote of no confidence had passed, Parliament dissolved and an election called based on the vote of no confidence, that would be EXTREMELY powerful ammunition for the PLP to use against the OBA in any resulting campaign. It would be a psychological thing playing on people’s minds-they’d feel their Government was inadequate, etc. Premier Dunkley clearly wanted to avoid all that psychological warfare and leave the public with a more positive view of the OBA. He really had no choice-anyone with sense can see that.
On another note, the OBA needs to stop taking constituents in PLP strongholds for granted, assuming the PLP will win and so don’t bother to put in the work. In most cases you don’t see the OBA candidate in person until you get to the polling station. At least hold a token town hall meeting or something, OBA…
I agree with you. I live in a PLP strong hold and I would love to see and hear an OBA candidate before election day. Last time around the candidate called the house and said if we had any questions we should call him; that was about ten days before the election.
You’re lucky. In my area, we didn’t even get that. I just had some guy reaching out to shake my hand at the polling station, and he didn’t even look like the person in the OBA campaign ads. It was very disconcerting. Many people felt they couldn’t vote for someone they didn’t know a thing about.
DON’T GET TO EXCITED.
In what PLP strongholds do the OBA not do the work?
Constituency #5 for starters. The OBA always sticks a token candidate in there because Mr. Derrick Burgess always wins. However, Mr. Burgess doesn’t take the constituents for granted-he does the work. Many a Saturday morning he comes banging down doors like he just passed out from a Jehovah’s Witness Training Camp. He doesn’t take anything for granted, when he easily could.
Yup, that’s where I am……..Burgess is ever visible and ever knocking on my door to have a chat.
Unfortunately… the Majority rules…even if they are fools…
Unfortunately your mind has trapped you since you referred to OBA as UBP and THAT is exactly why you’re opinions are stuck in the past and you’ll never move forward because you are stuck and have nothing else to say… since you like going backwards… please help Bermuda find their missing billions
Our genes is a remnant of the past shall we all abandon them as well.. the past is very much part of the present and those who reject past events and learned are doomed to repeat past mistakes. So for instance if you don’t tie your lacings fall down and jus get back up and never learn from that lesson then what is bound to happen again??? The past is always relevant whether it may be a lil uncomfortable for us or not.
So they why put the PLP back in power given their past actions that still hurt us directly today?
It’s the actions of this present govt that’s hurting us as well. I mean atleast it took 14yrs which included numerous infrastructure improvements and tons of social benefits to rack up the 1.3bn debt whilst the debt doubled and we have nothing to show for it but a bunch of broken promises.
Rubbish…change your name.
I agree. I read both PLP statement and started to read OBA Dunkley’s speech. Both said that the last 4 years have severely affected the people. The PLP listed the ways, and I could feel them because I am living it, but Dunkley talks about Bermudians working side by side, most people that I know that have lost their jobs in the last two years are not working side by side with anyone. He is asking us to wait until the ship turns around……………that ship should not have sailed!!
Vote for values that will last long after all the money is spent!
VOTE THE OBA OUT BERMUDA!!!
Yes and you can share in the $800M.
What $800M????? I’ve asked Scotland Yards and not even they know about what your talking about so please enlighten us all and share the results of your investigation?! Oh right that’s jus a lie u repeat over and over and try pass off as truth. Even with $800M “stolen as u claim,” the debt was still only 1.3bn in 14yrs whilst it has doubled in less then 5yrs. I agree I feel about $800M has been overspent in the last 5yrs..
Great time to have it, Burt be careful what u ask for.
Zane is gonna become leader not long after if u win the election!!
He is the real leader now
Uh-you know this how???
Irony.
I think he gave the sinking ship that he and many other helped stay afloat back to the ones that ran it all aground.
Rip.
Time to let them (the plp) deal with it.
Time to pack and move on to brighter shores……..
My family was just talking about how if the PLP get in… we will consider moving else where because what the OBA had done in the past 4 years is way more than the 14 years That PLP had… if Bermudians can’t see that then Bermudians will run this place to the ground even further than their $2b debt… (I’m a born and raised Bermudian who went through the public school system)… I fear for the minds of our people because it’s scary to hear what we say… no vision… ignorant… followers…
I agree. Even when people say things out of ignorance, it is still their opinion and deserves a bit of respect as being THEIR opinion.
simple its only one choice OBA for my future, my families future, my childresn future, my grandchildrens future
who would every play the snakes and ladders game with the PLP they play it every day
Its about what we need not what we may want
Yup, like some families have been supported for generations by U.B.P.
wow being blind comes in all forms
just remember this the PLP will not be able to get any more financing their record speaks for itself so what happens first
loss of Government jobs
you figure it out
failing to understand is your option
Hey Onion A
not like the PLP friends of family over budget on every job no response to missing millions and a Dr that hood winked all of you
No suprises here…..Knew he wasn’t about to be the Premeire that went down due to a vote of no confidence..
You mad he was holding Benny?
Now we can find out we’re all that Americans cup 100 Million dollars has gone… can wait for the audit on that….
Hang on first things first find the 800 million first.
Luckily the intelligent people know .
They never reply to the $800M question.
Ask Scotland Yards where the so called $800M went it seems they couldn’t find it either. Even with your so called “missing $800M,” the debt still only stood at 1.3bn when this government took over and in less then 5yrs and with all their so called “finacial prudence and frugality,” the debt has doubled.. yes I do believe that we’ve overspent by about $800M in the last 5yrs as well.
*financial
lies already? its under the original 70 mil…
Oh, boy…here we go-let the mudslinging begin!
Like this actually comes to us as a surprise, “NO IT DOES NOT.”
Who are you quoting Duane? Also, no, I’ll never forget calling you out on your flip flop last election. I could call you on other things but my comment won’t be posted… You’re a joke.
Little people like you are keyboard cowards you called Santucci out but you never put a real name. Before you say anything since I didn’t post a last name I work for the Government and I can’t wait to kick my Minister out. Come to the PLP rally and print COME CORRECT on your shirt troll.
You sound hurt…
but for FS don’t allow the liars and dividers in they spent everything last time on and your last name Jason ?????
I’m intelligent enough to know this island is small and to put you real name to your own opinion is to put a mark on your back. Ask Randy. I’m not that stupid and I wouldn’t want to do that to anyone.
@ Come Correct,
Let me first say you are a darn coward, and all that are like you, when you hide behind a pen name, Mr. Michael Dunkley was by far the worst Premier I have seen in my life time, A photo up Politician and a sorry excuse for a real politician.
The Michael Dunkley I once knew under the U.B.P, stood hard for the working class people and fought hard against gun violence,and claimed that seniors and the education of our generations coming behind us was paramount to him.
Well just like you I can not say the names I would like to call him, but it is nothing short of a donkey, and I guess if one of God’s greatest miracles in the Bible was, making a Donkey speak, seems like that miracle still happens today, with the likes of Mikey and people like you, Come Correct does not even sound like a good pen name for a joker who talks like crap.
now we got to hear divisive poo,BS, and lies from the plp and the blind faithful lemmings who cant or won’t form their OWN opinions on right vs wrong
OBA all de way!
@lifetime: I disagree entirely. Mr. Dunkley came off as polished and in full control. If I have any criticism, it is that he was too low key and spoke in something of a monotone. A little more emphasis could have generated some “Amens”.
What were YOU watching? He was wound up tighter than a cheap watch…
Maybe he doesn’t have faith in what he is saying, after all he didn’t write the speech.
What ever side you choose vote with your brain, not your heart please. Personally I think both parties need to go and a new party made up new minds and fresh ideas and no historical baggage is the real solution.
I agree. I wish the BDA would have tried harder. When they presented themselves and I saw the diversity of the group I felt so hopeful. They lost one bi-election and gave up. Now we have to determine which is the lesser of two evils.
One party that if they get in will have social power but the people with the deep pockets won’t work with. This will create an illusion of incompetence.
The other party is so indelibly linked to the deep pockets that the average person finds it difficult to see where they fit in.
It’s sad really.
Hammer ! Nail !
Go with social conscious .
Money is a weapon , until it isn’t !
I love the post .. Internet of the week !
This is the most objective and concise depiction of Bermuda’s sociopolitical and socioeconomic climate that I have heard or read so far. I challenge anyone who reads this comment to use your real name with your opinions from now on, to reach out to people with humility, dignity and purpose, to begin working for a NEW BERMUDA one genuine connection at a time. We are each responsible for the division we each propagate with each negative comment. Put your name behind your words and stop the cowardly and unproductive vitriol. I challenge each of you, before you hit send,take a deep breath and reread your words from the eyes of our children, they are watching and learning from the example we set. We each hold the keys to change for a better Bermuda and they are on your keyboard. Make each stroke count towards a brighter future. #doit40youth #bethechange @imangibbons
Wrong kind of audience. Your request calls for maturity and many of the posters here simply don’t have that.
David Burt says the same thing that the WHOLE world is going thru..
Nothing different in this country. Find a country for me that does not have job losses.. Haves and Have nots. If the PLP can find jobs why are they waiting to get back into Government.. Why do they not find the jobs NOW. You do not have to be in power to find people jobs.
You are letting the unemployed suffer longer..
Answer : They cannot find jobs…
If they found the jobs now, to whom would the credit go? Just asking, don’t go ballistic.
Bermy I second your comment. I am not confident with either side. They have both had an opportunity to show leadership, hold leadership accountable, keep political interference out of the Government operations, show transparency, keep personal interest out of Government contracts. For example how can we have so many government owned buildings but there are so many government departments spending millions in rent per year renting in some cases to building owned by politicians where the rent can be used to fix, maintain the buildings and move government employees in there. How much savings will this achieve….however it is not done…..why?
How can the budget of education continue to be cut when the education of our children is our future? Education has launched an initiative to create an education strategy for our children and our future, yet continued cuts in budget shows lack of buy-in from our leadership…..
Again, I have seen serious neglect and abuse from both sides – we are in need of a new party!
I agree. I’m really on the fence here. The problem is that the OBA set themselves up as the Second Coming, making all kinds of promises that they weren’t able to keep. You can only tell people that ‘things were worse than we thought’ so many times before they get tired of hearing it. I understand that the OBA needs to work on the economy overall in order to get things back on track, but that does nothing for those unemployed and with no food on the table NOW. There are still children literally going to bed with empty stomachs in this country. No-one in the OBA is going to bed hungry. The promises of tomorrow don’t help those people who need help today.
Not to be cold.. but there are children all over the world that do not eat.. The Government is not here to feed our mouths.. People MUST really think before having children, it is very costly , and if you are not living good and rolling in the money, you really should not have any children…There are people living good with two good incomes and find it difficult. Many people here want the Government whom ever it be to pay bills for them.. fee them.. house them..
The Education budget can be cut because there are fewer children in the schools. It should be cut further to eradicate the hundreds of administrative staff who do nothing except collect a paycheck. Fire a hundred and put that money into teachers. That is what is needed. Not money paid to non teachers.
Bermuda has some of the best and modern schools, Cedarbridge and Berkeley, so why isn’t education working? Cut out the MoE and put control into the principals, then put money into teachers, not MoE paper pushers.
OBA all the way!
where is your next dollar come and do we have a future
its as simple as that
Despite anyone’s personal feelings toward either party, a decision to call for a vote of no confidence during a time when the country is on display on an international stage is a self serving decision that puts self before country.
@Bermuda Born…Politricks considers nothing
The international stage you speak of is more like a multi-ring circus. There is less interest world wide in sailing than you may think and our politics is in the shadow of one of the hugest political fiascos the world has ever seen in the form of Donald Trump.
What’s happening in Bermuda is a small piece of tape on the international stage.
And I’m sure if the shoe was on the other foot, the OBA would have done the exact same thing.
That’s Politics 101
If any of you are betting people. bet on the OBA
I am not voting until there is a slate of independents and no parties. This is bs people swinging between parties depending on which way the tide is flowing- I’m out
For what it is worth, Bermuda seems to be in a much better place economically than it was five years ago but I can’t chance voting for somebody in July who might flip flop on their rhetoric a year down the road….
You are joking I hope. 68 fewer jobs than when they began, double the debt, and so called growth through public expenditure which does not appear to be paying off – ask Taxi drivers how well they are doing out of AC35. Their answer is mostly about what they normally do this time of year.
If any taxi driver says they are no busier they aren’t trying hard enough. Waits are an hour at times and no cabs at airport when planes arrive. Stop making up things that aren’t true. If anyone honestly believes that the AC has had no positive effect on the island simply wishes to see it that way and no amount of truth will change that opinion.
Have u seen hom many new minibuses their is on the road now?? This is why the taxi drivers aren’t doing as well as they could have.. I jus hope when the bubble burst from this AC that the guys with the new minibuses will be able to pay them off or its gonna be a lot of nice new minibuses getting repossessed by the banks..
And the Minibuses are all thanks to Dr. Brown and the PLP
Facts!
Very poorly choreographed, strikes me as very haphazard and thrown together at the last minute. That low ceilinged, dingy room speaks volumes. Surely, despite the humidity, some bright, outdoor exciting spot could have been chosen, say where you hope to pick one up or one you hold is in play – Boaz Island or Ordnance Island.
Anyway I’m not voting OBA for one reason – Bob Richards, who frankly has made a bad situation worse, stuck taxes on the backs of the wrong people and wants us to believe his make work/create votes airport project is good for Bermuda. If a PLP Government had done these things, folks who look like me would rightly be kicking up – but sadly we all mostly are still stuck with our prejudices.
Let’s play the game of trolls…. the usual tyad nonsense from the PLP stooges…. coffee, Betty et al. We simply can’t afford a return to plunder politics. The PLP took everything – BURT wants us to forget the PLP record of complete mismanagement! We won’t forget.
I wish some of the commenters could up their game and refrain from name-calling and personal attacks. When you do that it just demonstrates that you have no substance to your argument. Why are people so intolerant of others’ opinions?? No matter what the comment is, it’s just one person’s opinion and interpretation of the “facts”.You can have a different opinion with out calling someone’s comment crap or lies and calling individuals cowards or jokes. Up your game guys…RESPECT!
There are positive and negative aspects to both parties however, speaking as a young open minded Bermudian it is clear the PLP’s main agenda is driven by race clearly displayed within Burt’s speech of two Bermudas, anywhere you go there will be division, unfortunately it is more evident due to the size of Bermuda.
Neither party is ideal due to the history associated with each party. BUT the fact that Burt calls for a vote of no confidence when Bermuda is on the world stage clearly shows he has no interest in moving Bermuda in a positive direction therefore my vote is with the OBA – the lesser of two evils
Hope the payments to Bermuda from the Americas Cup international TV coverage helps: the PLP to encourage better health coverage of many, to Encourage more to reeducate themselves, to Have more tourists in hotels in June so workers won’t be working less hours during big events like the Americas Cup, after the PLP win the upcoming election.
Uh…plp?
Don’t go around saying the world ows you a living…
It was here first.
Both parties have let the country down on ballooning the debt and letting public schools rot. Those are both disasters that will hurt our children for their whole lives.
Bermuda deserves all it gets the PLP now has to fix Bermuda fix the schools debt crime etc can’t see that happen
Two things left for Micheal Dunkley to do .
1. Step down from OBA party leader .
2. Name Sarah Gate as the new party leader .