OBA Rollout Cole Simons For Smith’s South
[Updated with video] The One Bermuda Alliance confirmed this morning [June 7] that Cole Simons will stand for the Opposition in Constituency #8 Smith’s South. Mr Simons — the incumbent — will match up against the PLP’s Linda Merritt, and Independent David Tavares.
L-R: OBA Candidate Nandi Davis, Cole Simons, OBA Leader Craig Cannonier, OBA Candidate Alexis Swan:
The seat is considered by many to be a ‘safe seat’ for the Opposition, with Mr Simons [under the UBP] winning 73.47% of the vote vs the PLP’s Jane Correia [673-243] in the 2007 General Election.
The OBA has rolled out 28 candidates thus far, with 8 remaining. The areas that the OBA has not yet officially announced candidates for are: C#34 Sandys South Central, C#32 Southampton West, C#29 Southampton East, C#20 Pembroke South West, C#18 Pembroke West Central, C#16 Pembroke East Central, C#14 Devonshire North West, and C#1 St. George’s North.
Update 10.49am: Mr Simons full speech follows below:
Good morning.
I am presenting myself for the next election because I love this country.
I believe deeply in public service and I believe Bermuda’s best days are still before us.
I joined the One Bermuda Alliance because I believe Bermuda must have a realistic opportunity for change – change to a government that puts Bermuda first in all things; change to steadier, more responsible government that brings people together.
Only by working together as one people can we begin to rebuild family, rebuild community and, above all, rebuild responsibility in our country.
These are the things I care about.
My hope is for a Bermuda at peace with itself.
But to get there, we need change.
To achieve this we’ve got to start addressing the deep and pressing problems that face us. As my Leader Craig Cannonier said a few weeks ago, the Government has never really got to grips with the big challenges, whether they be our beleaguered tourism industry, our public education system or our struggling economy.
We must have a government in place that is not afraid to take on the big challenges, and to act. We can no longer afford to have a government that pretends problems don’t exist, or that shies from the hard decisions needed to improve conditions for the people.
Only with a strong government committed to the people’s business can we hope to have hope for the future.
Bermuda today is at a crossroads in its economic and social life.
More Bermudians are out of work and more are working harder for less. More Bermudians have lost their homes and even more are watching their home values plummet. More of us have cars we can’t afford to drive, bills we can’t afford to pay and tuition beyond our reach.
I’ve seen workers who would rather cut their hours back a day, even though they can’t afford it, than see their friends lose their jobs.
It is long past time to roll up our sleeves and get on with the business of changing our situation. I am proud to be part of a team that is prepared to do just that – to bring forward change to grow jobs, to reform education once and for all and to tackle the severe issues that give rise to gang violence.
One of our most important tasks is to rebuild trust in our political system. We can no longer abide the politics of division and governance that fails to put Bermuda first.
We have to commit to a values-based approach to public policy.
It means responsibility – living within our means.
It means integrity – with zero tolerance for fraud and corruption.
It means transparency – with open, accountable government.
It means inclusiveness – providing everyone with the opportunity to succeed.
It means service – for the people.
And it means a government committed totally to spreading opportunity – opportunity which can only come from a strong economy and safe communities.
These are the values of the One Bermuda Alliance, and they are the values that can bring real change to the Island.
There is one more thing, and it’s about being honest about what government can achieve.
Real change will not come about only through what government does. Real change will come when we start working together, and commit more of ourselves to the Island. Instead of asking “What am I entitled to?” ask “What are my responsibilities?” Instead of asking “What am I owed?” ask “What can I give?”
Do these things and the sky’s the limit.
We can build a more responsible society, but it will not happen without change. The big risk is to stick with what has not been working, to stick with the same old politics, the same old players and expect a different result.
On a final note, I want to take this opportunity to pledge to the people of Smith’s South that I will continue working hard to represent your interests and fight for your concerns. I am your public servant.
Thank you.
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Once again, Barker’s Beauties are back.
Why are nandi and alexis always flanking whoever the candidate is? Where are the rest of the candidates at each rollout?
probably working , this isn’t the PLP you know
So Nandi and Alexis don’t work??
Oh right Nandi was given a PA job at a company to coincide with her candidacy announcement. And alexis works at Colonial – I guesss Dr Gibbons gives her time off for political events!
HAHAHA
They are probably their on their lunch hour.
Only if they took their lunch at breakfast, because this rollout was around 930am.
Where is his Wife?
Congratulations Mr. Simons. Roll on OBA, Roll On. Makes no difference who is pictured, it is why they are present.
Actually, they are beautiful young ladies. Click Click Nandi and Alexis!!!
I agree – they are attractive. Probably why they are front and center. Perhaps they should have entered Miss Bermuda instead of politics If they are only being shown for their looks. I’ve heard them interviewed and neither can take a stance on any issue…
So Miss Bermuda is based off of looks only?
Politicians are not made from looks thank God! or some of articulate ladies of the OBA def would not of been elected ….
Proud of you pops, keep on keeping on! Wishing you all the best in this Constituency #8 Smith’s South.
graet choice we love it
Apparently this is not as big of an announcement as others – there are barely 12 comments presently. Has the OBA run out of steam? It is because of their tactics that they will not be successful at the next general election – - not due to lack of trying, but because they did not do enough to convince those black swing voters WHOM THEY NEED TO WIN – - nothing more.
Sad.
Yng Black Mind
(those who know understand)
Everybody in Bermuda is distracted with the implosion of the PLP with two factions forming, with the appointment by COG of person who abused their power and was asked to resign, with the sideshow of Wilson saying we want independence, when we clearly do not.
LOL…this was useless…and no one even asked him any questions?
I must admit i thought Cole was going to be sacrificed – I now wonder where Fahy is gonna end up?
Cole can you answer this
You bang the drum about unemployment …..how long will it take before OBA has every unemployed Bermudian back in employment?
Show us what real change OBA intends to bring!
Frig the oba, let this “country” spiral into oblivion…lol show us change, how about you show yourself change u dummy.
why would anybody think the OBA can wave a magic wand and clean up the PLP’s mess in a few month??
David Allen turned tourism around in 100 days thats why
If we can just recoup some of the money that has mysteriously disappeared from the Bermuda Treasury we’ll be a little better off….
why is he in a safe seat?
His eyebrows dance to the beat of a different drum .