Video: PLP Candidate Jonathan Smith

[Updated with video] Continuing their candidate roll outs this morning [Nov.17], the Progressive Labour Party announced that Senator Jonathan Smith will be their candidate for Constituency #28, Warwick West

Warwick West is presently held by the OBA’s Mark Pettingill, who won under the UBP’s banner in 2007 with 62.07% of the vote over the PLP’s George Scott [594-356]. In the 2003 General Election, the UBP’s Neville Darrell won the Warwick West seat, defeating the PLP’s Chris Furbert 516-346.

Earlier this month the “Bermuda Sun” reported that Mark Pettingill will step down from Warwick West to fight for a tougher seat, and that he is likely to be replaced by landscape firm owner Jeff Sousa.

Senator Smith, whose brother Tim Smith served as a UBP MP, served in the Police Service for a number of years, and was Bermuda’s Police Commissioner from 2000-2005.

In addition to that role has served as a member of the Public Service Commission from 2009-11, the Defence Board from 2006 – 2011 and he remains a Trustee of the National Sports Centre and a member of the Board of Immigration.

He joined the PLP in 2009, and was appointed to the Senate in April of this year, replacing Lt. Col. David Burch. In September Senator Smith put his name forward for the Constituency #21 Pembroke South East, however lost to Government consultant Rolfe Commissiong, who ousted incumbent Ashfield Devent.

This is the third candidate rollout from the PLP in recent days, following the announcement yesterday that Senator A.L Vince Ingham will be their candidate for Constituency #19 Pembroke West, which followed after the announcement that Stephen Todd will be their candidate for Constituency #30 Southampton East Central.

The PLP candidates thus far include: Dennis Lister [C#35], Kim Wilson, [C#34], Randy Horton [C#32], Scott Simmons [C#31], Stephen Todd [C#30], Zane DeSilva [C#29], Lt. Col David Burch [C#27], Lawrence Scott [C#24], Rolfe Commissiong [C#21], A.L Vince Ingham [C#19], David Burt [C#18], Walton Brown [C#17], Diallo Rabain [C#7], Wayne Furbert [C#6], John Gibbons [C#2], and Dame Jennifer Smith [C#1].

With an election not called yet, but expected to be announced in coming months, all three political parties appear to be preparing. The UBP has confirmed that Kim Swan will stand for re-election, and has pledged to fight the next election “full on”, while the OBA has officially confirmed four candidates thus far, and is expected to roll out approximately a dozen candidates later this month.

Update 12:12pm: Video of press conference below:

Update 12.24pm: Sen. Smith’s full remarks appear below:

Good morning Premier, Ministers, MP’s, Senate colleagues, Executive, Party workers, my wife Donna and son, Jordan.

This is a special day – and I’m sorry that my other two sons, Jeremy and Dylan – both studying in the UK, are unable to be here today.

Thank you all for being here today. I am also very pleased to be joined by the Branch Chair of Constituency 28, Dr. Melvin Dickinson and members of the branch and party supporters.

Today is a day to give thanks for the opportunity to serve the residents of Warwick West. I attended school in Warwick.

My family church is in Warwick. I was married in Warwick. My three sons were christened in Warwick and close members of my family are buried in Warwick. I have lived in Warwick previously, so this is a constituency with which I am familiar. I look forward to meeting the voters and residents and meeting your aspirations for a Bermuda we can be proud of.

Today represents a big step forward in public service. I am excited to take that step as a Parliamentary candidate in service to my people and my country.
Public service has been a big part of my life. As Commissioner, I experienced what it is like to have 60,000 residents demanding results. I will not shy away from those lessons or that responsibility. Therein is a lesson in public service.

Public service taught me to: Listen; lead; set standards and to get results demanded by the public. That’s the candidate who is before you today. The country comes first; the people in Bermuda come first. Everything else; everything else – is a distant second as far as I am concerned.

I acknowledge that my journey from Ord Road to the Progressive Labour Party has been different and some might say, unconventional.

But, each of us has a story and it is the vast collection of those stories, those experiences, those aspirations that form the heart and soul of any Party, any Government, any country. Those stories from our young supporters, our wise and able veterans, and our new members who joined the Party just this week are bringing change, new ideas and new strategies to the work of governing.

As we all look forward to the road ahead, let me pause, just for a moment, to honour those who paved the road behind us. We are surrounded today by portraits of great Bermudians who sacrificed blood, sweat and tears for things that many Bermudians now take for granted. Just to be respected. The right to sit in a seat of choice in a cinema. The right simply to vote. Their place as Bermudians – equal in ALL respects – to walk and work on Bermuda soil. Yes, I am in their shadow – but the journey is not done.

Today is not a day to dwell on the past – but to look to the future. As I continue to meet the voters, I’ll convey another learning point from my years in public service. It is the adage captured on bumper stickers abroad; that pointed reminder to ALL politicians: “YOU WORK FOR US.” I take that same fundamental belief into politics: the people come first.

As I offer myself as a candidate, I’ll share with you my track record of getting things done in the public service and now in the private sector; an ability to listen; an ability to lead; an ability to work with the community in setting priorities.

Much has been said about the difficulties we are in. There’s little need for me to expand on that. You’ve heard of the Throne Speech initiatives and the priorities of this Government to grow our economy, increase job training, grow jobs. I offer myself as a candidate and give the assurance that the voters’ concerns and aspirations come first in our journey together to build the Bermuda for our children.

As we look out on the political landscape and the challenges we face now and will face in the future, I believe the voters will take a long and hard look at their candidates and decide: who can get things done? Who has the experience in working with the people?

Who can best represent their interests and who can be trusted?

Any election is about the future. It’s also about which candidates the voter can put their trust, hopes and confidence in and separating those who talk from those who deliver. A tall task you might say? It needs to be. As politicians we must operate on the fundamental premise that the voters needs must come first.

As I wrap up my brief comments, I’ll borrow a line from the Throne Speech, and say: “ …every citizen from every walk of life is called upon to work together, recognizing that each has a role to play, each can contribute to the greater good of the community.”. In that one sentence is a rallying call for every Bermudian. And in that one sentence I have responded to the call from my fellow Bermudians, this Party, our Premier to “get involved;” to work together and contribute to this great country.

I’d like to conclude on a personal note. After all, politics is personal. Although I was encouraged by many to get involved in politics, I attribute a good part of my inspiration to a man I never knew. My paternal grand-father, about whom I have recently written a book, was a man who put his country and the fight for freedom first – above the love of his wife and five children. He was killed in action and is buried thousands of miles from here. While I will only be a shadow of the man he might have become, it is his courage, his commitment and his sense of service that has been a source of inspiration for me.

Thank You.

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