UBP On Dr. Paul de la Chevotiere
United Bermuda Party MPs Kim Swan and Charlie Swan issued a statement on the passing of Dr. Paul de la Chevotiere.
“The United Bermuda Party offer our sincere condolences to the family and friends of former Parliamentarian, the late Dr. Paul de la Chevotiere,” said the statement.
“Whilst Dr. Paul de la Chevotiere was a scholar who choose to make a contribution to improve Bermuda through politics, he is best remembered for being the only Parliamentarian to cross the floor from the Progressive Labour Party (PLP) to the United Bermuda Party (UBP) following the 1976 General Election.
“Dr. Paul de la Chevotiere was elected in 1976 in the constituency of Hamilton West for the PLP during a period when the PLP were closing in on the United Bermuda Party. According to then Branch Chairman former Member of Parliament Mr. Arthur Hodgson, Calvin Smith recommended Dr. de la Chevotiere as a candidate, and it became a tactical move to run one formidable candidate against the United Bermuda Party’s strong team of Mrs. Gloria McPhee and Dr. John Stubbs.”
“The most noteworthy defection of note prior had been the PLP’s first Leader Mr. Arnold Francis CBE, who left the PLP to form the now defunct Bermuda Democratic Party before later completing his career as a legislator serving in the Legislative Council (Senate) for the United Bermuda Party.
“For the record, when Dr. de la Chevotiere unseated our Dr. John Stubbs, the PLP won 3 out of four seats in Hamilton Parish with Gilbert Darrell and Port Royal G.C. Golf Professional Walter King in Hamilton East completing the trio, with former Cabinet Minister Mrs. Gloria McPhee being the only United Bermuda Party candidate in Hamilton Parish to win a seat that year.
“Dr. De La Chevotiere’s move to switch his political party after being elected (PLP) was extraordinarily controversial and became the talk of Bermuda for many years to come, as Hamilton Parish was known as a marginal constituency with close elections.
“For the voters of Hamilton Parish, who were the ones who repeatedly would switch party allegiance according to the politics of the parties, individual performances and the popularity of the representative on offer.
“Dr. Paul de la Chevotiere who served one term in the House of Assembly, was unsuccessful during the 1980 General Election, ironically losing to Mr. Arthur Hodgson and Mr. Calvin Smith of the Progressive Labour Party. He (Dr. de la Chevotiere) also served the in the Legislative Council.”
Charlie Swan MP added, ” I knew Dr. Paul de la Chevotiere personally and regarded him as a father figure and a role model. My heartfelt sympathies go out to his family.
Interim Leader Kim Swan commented, “I have been told that Dr. Paul De la Chevotiere was well received by his new United Bermuda Party colleagues and was able to make a meaningful contribution as a UBP member.”
” Notwithstanding, Dr. Paul de la Chevotiere helped to shape the socio – political landscape of Bermuda and in doing so, reserved a unique spot in our history. His decision to the switch political allegiance from the Progressive Labour Party to the United Bermuda Party during the course of his term, was unprecedented in Bermuda and continues to be the only example of a PLP MP crossing the floor to the UBP.”
“In closing, a fitting comment of respect came former PLP Parliamentarian and Golf Professional Mr. Walter King who described the late Dr. Paul de la Chevotiere as a “man of the people, whose principal had no price”
“We say thank you posthumously to the late Dr. Paul de la Chevotiere for his service and pray to the Almighty that he will rest in peace,” the statement concluded.
- Photo courtesy of the Bermuda Sun
Walter King had it right. De La Chevotiere’s principles had no price. What a nice way to put it. ‘Nuff said.
R.I.P. my friend