PLP: Wayne Perinchief Replaces Linda Merritt
[Updated with video] Minister Wayne Perinchief will replace Linda Merritt as the PLP candidate for Constituency #8 Smiths South, the PLP confirmed today at a press conference. In December 2011, Ms Merritt was originally announced as the candidate for Constituency #8 Smiths South, however “Ms. Merritt withdrew her candidacy for personal reasons.”
Minister Perinchief presently holds the Constituency #17 Pembroke Central seat,. however in September 2011, the branch selected Walton Brown over Minister Perinchief at their candidate selection meeting.
Minister Perinchief, who presently serves as Minister of National Security, was first elected to the House of Assembly in November 1998. A career Police Officer before going into politics, he retired as head of the Criminal Investigations Department in 1995, after attaining the rank of Assistant Commissioner.
Smiths South is presently held by the One Bermuda Alliance’s Cole Simons who – under the UBP – won 73.47% of the vote against the PLP’s Jane Correia [673-243] in 2007. In 2003, Mr Simons picked up 638 votes, with the PLP’s Elizabeth Christopher receiving 226.
Smiths South is set to be a three-way battle in the upcoming General Election, with Cole Simons to stand for the OBA, while Independent David Tavares has also thrown his hat into the ring.
This is the first change of candidate by the PLP, who have confirmed 35 of their 36 candidates thus far. The remaining seat they have left to officially roll out is C#14 Devonshire North West, which Premier Paula Cox presently holds.
The PLP candidate lineup includes: C#36 Michael Scott, C#35 Dennis Lister, C#34 Kim Wilson, C#33 Terry Lister, C#32 Randy Horton, C#31 Scott Simmons, #30 Stephen Todd, C#29 Zane DeSilva, C#28 Jonathan Smith, C#27 Lt. Col David Burch, C#26 Marc Bean, C#25 Dale Butler, C#24 Lawrence Scott, C#23 Darius Tucker, C#22 Dawn Simmons, C#21 Rolfe Commissiong, C#20 Marcus Jones, C#19 Vince Ingham, C#18 David Burt, C#17 Walton Brown, C#16 Michael Weeks, C#15 Walter Roban, C#14 #12 Devonshire South Central, C#13 Glenn Blakeney, C#12 Makai Dickerson, C#11 Neville Tyrell, C#10 Patrice Minors, C#9 Vance Campbell, C#8 Linda Merritt, C#7 Diallo Rabain, C#6 Wayne Furbert, C#5 Derrick Burgess, C#4 Pastor Leroy Bean, C#3 Lovitta Foggo, C#2 John Gibbons, and C#1 Dame Jennifer Smith.
As of this time, the OBA has rolled out 30 of their 36 candidates with 6 remaining: C#34 Sandys South Central, C#32 Southampton West, C#29 Southampton East, C#20 Pembroke South West, C#14 Devonshire North West, and C#1 St. George’s North.
I do not know this man personally but he strikes me as one of the few PLP government people that has intregrity and a work ethic! I think he may even also have morals and know the difference between right and wrong!
I hope he never feels the need to compromise his beliefs and values.
What a shame he is not batting for the other side!
I think having Minister Perinchief running in Smith’s South will add a new dynamic to the battle down there. Ms. Merritt was a good candidate on paper but is less visible. Minister Perinchief has done a good job as the Minister of National Security and I think that some constituents will not necessary adhere to party allegiance but will vote on the person. I am not ingrained in any party but I think Minister Perinchief is a far better candidate than the OBA candidate Mr. Simons and the Independent candidate Mr. Tavares. It is still an OBA or UBP stronghold but I see Mr. Perinchief getting a larger share of the vote than Ms. Correia in 07 or Ms. Christopher in 03.
That happens to be my Constituency. I really admire Mr Perinchief and now am between two minds as to who to vote for.
I think you should vote for Perinchief, I wish he was in my district.
A few observations:
The PLP Branch 17 rejected Minister Perinchief in favour of Mr Walton Brown
The voters in 8 may similarly reject Minister Perinchief
Why does the PLP not have a recruitment and succession plan so that 65+ year old MPs and Candidates are phased out gracefully, Mr Perinchief will be humilated at the Polls and then be kicking his marbles begging the next Government for a job as a Senator, or a Contract
Come on PLP you gotta take better care of your stalwarts than this, I feel it for you Minister Perinchief like Makai Dickerson you are jumping on the sword for something greater than you…………..PLAY the SELFLESSNESS CD
The OBA people are always saying to vote for the best person.
Let’s see if they do as they say as the best person in this race is clearly Mr. Perinchief.
How??? please explain, pros and cons.
welldone, the best person is Perinchief,
If he was not joined & controlled by the PLP.
He needs to enjoy his retirement.
Has done much.
Smell the roses Wayne and bow out gracefully.
He can always get a consultants fee plus his 100,000 dollar a year + prension/s.
Does it really matter…The system rules…
I agree…Perinchief was a very mediocre cop and is a mediocre political figure with ideas from the 1950′s time to retire and let someone young take up the cause and breath some life and maybe 21st century ideas into that ministry, your 15 minutes ran out 15 years ago!
Someone .like,,,,,,,,???????
Full of criticisms yet no solutions. Sound like Romney
BDA needs u sir.
wayne
why dont u sell cuban rum again?