OBA Officially Roll Out Nicholas Kempe In C#18
[Updated with video] The One Bermuda Alliance confirmed that this morning [June 26] that Nicholas Kempe will stand for the Opposition in Constituency #18 Pembroke West Central. Bernews had previously reported that Mr Kempe would stand in the area.
Nicholas Kempe is the Vice President of the local trucking and import company, Bermuda Forwarders. Although he grew up in Pembroke and attended Saltus Grammar School, he finished his secondary education in Spain, and went to university in Spain and Italy, where he earned degrees in Economics and Business Administration.
The Pembroke West Central seat is presently held by the PLP’s Neletha Butterfield who won 69.62% of the vote vs the UBP’s Mariyln Steede [25.15%] and Independent Roger Russell [5.22%] in the 2007 General Election.
The upcoming election will see the area represented by two of the island’s younger politicians, with 29-year-old Mr Kempe set to challenge 32-year-old Senator David Burt. Senator Burt was selected to stand for the PLP, after a protracted selection process which saw three re-counts, and ended up with Senator Burt given the nod over incumbent Neletha Butterfield.
The OBA has now officially rolled out 29 candidates for the upcoming General Election, with 7 remaining.
Update 4:23pm: Full remarks by Mr Kempe below:
Thank you Craig.
Good morning everyone and thank you for coming.
My name is Nicholas Kempe and I am excited to have the opportunity to represent the people of Pembroke West Central, the constituency where I live.
I grew up in Pembroke and since returning to Bermuda from school, I have lived in the North Shore area west of Blackwatch Pass. My home is on Tablerock Avenue, near West Pembroke Primary, where I live with my wife and my sister.
My education started in Bermuda at Saltus. However, when I was 17, I decided to complete my last year before college at a high school in Spain. I was the school’s first foreigner and could hardly speak a word of Spanish. It was a challenging situation but I persevered, and learned to speak the language.
I remained in Spain through university, obtaining two degrees including a Masters in Business Administration and Economics.
Before returning home, I worked at a hotel where I learned about the value of service and the importance of accountability.
I have been home now for two years working at Bermuda Forwarders as Vice President.
I have learned much in that time about the demands of running a business, particularly maintaining the company’s ability to keep people employed.
I decided to get into politics to do what I can to help get Bermuda working again. I have been watching people lose their jobs, people struggling with financial hardship and way too many people losing hope in this great Island.
We need change and, for me, that means stepping forward to help the people of my community and to help this Island do better.
Change also means a change in government. I believe the current government has run its course. They forgot what I believe is the number one priority for any government, which is to improve the lives and security of the people.
The Government and its ministers have been more about themselves than the people, and that is a recipe for bad government.
I joined the One Bermuda Alliance because it offers Bermuda new hope.
It is an open and welcoming party. It believes in giving people a greater say in the business of the country. It has plans to grow the economy that I am convinced will end today’s unemployment. It has a strategic approach to crime that will give us safer streets and keep more young people from drifting into gangs.
And it’s got a leader – Mr. Craig Cannonier – who is a very positive force, something Bermuda really needs at the top.
I have spent enough time in meetings with my colleagues in the OBA to know that they have the energy, the spirit, the teamwork and the focus to get Bermuda back on track, where it is working again for the people.
That’s why I am running to represent the people of Pembroke West Central.
I will make sure they know me as someone they can count on to represent their views, carry forward their concerns and work for a community in which they are safe, secure and always respected.
Thank you.
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Full remarks by OBA leader Mr Cannonier below:
Good afternoon and thank you for coming,
I am very proud today to introduce a young Bermudian who has stepped forward to help us get this Island back on track, where it is working better for people.
Nicholas Kempe will stand for the One Bermuda Alliance in Constituency 18, Pembroke West Central.
Nick is part of the OBA’s new generation – young men and women who are stepping forward to help this great Island of ours do better.
Like his colleagues, Nick believes good government starts with the strongest possible bond between the people and the government they choose.
That means always keeping in touch to understand their needs and hopes.
Although today marks his official rollout, Nick has already spent weeks going door to door speaking with his neighbours in Pembroke West Central.
He has energy, commitment and a deep faith in Bermuda. I’m delighted and proud to introduce Nick as part of the OBA team.
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Good Luck Toby!
an old Bermudian name, trying to regain old bermudian power? what had he done himself to be able to sit in parliament. all colts supporter by de colt.
Good luck, but keeping it real the OBA is lossing steam.
This guy sounds sooo excited to be running.
I don’t like the tone of his comments.
I supposed every fight or shooting is the government’s fault? That seems to be what he is saying.
Either way David Burt will slaughter him on election day.
On another note, its nice to see that the OBA has other people to turn up to the rollouts other than Nandi and Alexis.
Come on! Please stop appointing people who the average voter won’t vote for! You’re making the same old mistakes as the former UBP. Appoint people who did something with their own lives instead of getting it handed to them.
lol.. You think new candidates in the PLP roster has done something of substance with tehir lives?
If anyone thinks that this guy is gonna beat David Burt on election day I will give you 1 million dollars cash. To recieve this cash go to areyoucrazy.com ! Nobody has never even heard of this guy B4! Everybody has hesrd David Burts’ name before!
Why do so many associate a name with privlage.
I really don’t have the feeling to reply but will.
Ooops..I forgot.
Racism is alive and well.
Hmmmmmm Burt will “Slaughter him”.
There yah go. Nut shell.
Good by Bermuda, how are yah…………………
You think America, Canada, Britain care?
Gives a new meaning to Buildings Bay.
David Burt is arrogant and is going to get surprised cutt from this bye. Sounds like he is educated and got his eye on the ball. Better whatcha youself David. This guy could take you down in a debate 1time
Let’s see now: white man, two degrees, international experience, in business with his father,offers himself for public office – cool
black man, two degrees, international experience, in business with his father,offers himself for public office = arrogant
Wonder what the difference is……and you people wonder why you cannot win? Our guys are “arrogant”; your guys are “educated and got his eye on the ball”. We get it.
Kempe may be a nice guy but definitely in over his head in this constituency.
David Burt and PLP will win hands down.
At least hes standing in the area he lives in, some MPs and candiddates dont reside in the area they supposedly stand for and represent!! It enables poor candidates to suddenly be moved to a safe seat when it is freed, maybe it should become legislation you have to reside in the area you supposedly stand for!!!
I am glad you get it and get used to it in post-election Bermuda.
So sad to see so many comments on here delving into irrelevant rants. How can you guys write him off just because he’s white from a certain family. He can’t help who his family is, and to be honest, that shouldnt matter. All that should matter is that HE CARES about this island. He is putting an effort in to help rectify OUR LIVES.
No shot for white people in politics i guess…
Judging someone on his last name and not what he stands for is exactly the mentality we need to move away from in order to move forward.
Glad to see more young Bermudians getting involved to make a difference in the island we all love.