OBA Leadership Election Set For This Summer
The One Bermuda Alliance is set to hold its party leadership election later this summer, in line with their constitution [PDF] which dictates that a leadership election is to be held if the leader resigns, dies, becomes incapacitated or is no longer a sitting MP.
The election follows after the resignation of Craig Cannonier, who stepped down on May 19th amidst controversy surrounding his contact with Maryland real estate developer Nathan Landow and questions raised over what happened to a $300,000 [or some reports say $350,000] donation made by Mr. Landow.
On May 14th the OBA pledged to hold an internal investigation into the donation and make their findings public, and as of yet the investigation has not concluded, with the OBA telling Bernews the “investigation is ongoing.”
Following Mr. Cannonier’s resignation, Michael Dunkley — who served as Deputy Leader under Mr. Cannonier — was sworn-in as the new leader, however he can be challenged by any of the other OBA MPs for the leadership position in the upcoming party election.
Speaking on the night of Mr. Cannonier’s resignation, Premier Dunkley said, “As you might not be aware, the One Bermuda Alliance elect their Leader and Deputy Leader by election of members, votes of members.
“That conference will take place this summer so anybody is free to challenge me as Leader the party, and I have agreed if I am beaten at that challenge and I will step down Premier when that party conference is held.
When asked was it his desire to remain Premier, he replied: “Most certainly yes.”
Premier Dunkley speaking directly after Mr. Cannonier’s resignation about the leadership election:
The last time the OBA held a leadership election — which was also their first following their formation in May 2011 — was in September 2011.
Craig Cannonier, who was then a Senator, was up for leader running against Bob Richards, who was then the Shadow Minister of Finance. Mr Cannonier was elected by party members in a tight race, receiving 344 votes [50.44%], while Bob Richards got 330 votes [48.52%].
The position of leader and deputy leader were also up for election in October 2013, however neither Mr. Cannonier or Mr. Dunkley were challenged at that time.
As far as eligibility, the OBA constitution says, “In order to stand for election as OBA Leader, the candidate must be an OBA Member, an MP, and must not be under disciplinary action.
“The candidate must have the support by way of signature of at least three sitting MP’s and at least seven non- Parliamentary OBA Members in good standing who will be from at least three Regions. The signatures must be submitted in writing to the OBA Secretary within the time specified by the OBA Secretary.”
An excerpt of the relevant portion of the OBA constitution [PDF]:
When asked if a definitive date been set for the leadership election, an OBA spokesperson said, “A date has not yet been set for the election. It is likely to be toward the end of the summer.”
Last week the Government announced that Finance Minister Bob Richards had been appointed as Deputy Premier, and that position will also be up for election at the same time the leadership position.
There has been no official statement made pertaining to who might be running in either the leader or deputy leader election, however the main names being unofficially speculated on as the likely front runners are those who presently hold the positions: Premier Michael Dunkley and Minister Bob Richards.
MP Pettingill’s smile above sums up the whole internal OBA process, the joke is on us for believing the glossy advertising campaigns and images of the single mothers (Nandi TV Ad) and professional black women (Leah Scott and Ms Cannonnier) man we got taken, like at one of them Singapore casinos.
Hopefully we get a more robust OBA and an honest OBA next election as PLP is still not viable.
Conservative, how do you know Mark P wasn’t just smiling because someone make a joke? Projection of personal issues is a dangerous thing. You seem to have a very large chip on your shoulder that must get very heavy. I personally don’t see the current OBA as glossy at all, quite the opposite in fact. If anything they could be accused of being a bit naïve and lacking the slick PR machine that the PLP have including professional bloggers (Betty Trump, BT, Laverne etc.)
@ Anon ,Marks smile is saying the Secret Report on Surrogates is in motion and our Oligarchy ancestors are pleased !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Pick your posion?
The PLP may not be viable, but I think they have an excellent chance of winning the next election.
If what I hear is correct, significant ‘would be’ PLP voters stayed at home at the last election, then these folks will turn out in force next time.
The OBA is being labeled as anti-Bermudian and regardless of whether this is true or not, this will serve as a rallying cry for the PLP faithful.
The OBA needs to start creating those 2000 jobs. Looking down memory lane and blaming the PLP will not help them next time at the polls. Yes, the PLP made huge mistakes, but it comes a point when you will be judged on your own record and achievements and no longer be able to capitalize on the failure of others.
flikel, One hopes that Bermudians would never be naïve enough to give the PLP another chance. The OBA are having to clean up their mess and they have the financial experience necessary to do this and have sough further input of other professional opinions when the commissioned the SAGE report. Not they are just implementing those recommendations. The PLP only David Burt who has a degree in IT from a small university so he’s going to turn Bermuda around and put us back on the international stage. Or what about Marc Bean, a lawyer, remember what happened last time a lawyer was put in charge of the countries finances? The leaves Derrick, Wayne, Zane…I need not say more. If they thought things were bad now….they should be having nightmares at the thought of the PLP ever getting back in power.
Aon, I am not a PLP supporter, but statements like yours, will only serve to hurt the OBA.
Why are you diminishing Burt’s education? He has a degree in Finance and IT from George Washington Univ, which is a very well regarding educational institution. By no means, is this a ‘small’ university and he more than degree in IT. But you choose to belittle him..why is that?
Also Marc Bean is not a lawyer, never been a lawyer and never went to law school. So where did you get this information?
You are believing your own lies, or the lies that other people have told you.
I think he is refering to Marc Daniels
What is Marc Bean’s background then because Sherri J once referred to him as having an extensive legal background?…so I only assumed lawyer. Now I’m very curious as to what his background is that would give him such extensive legal knowledge? Please someone fill me in
Anon,
He is a brilliant Afrikan man who knows a whole lot about a whole lot. He is an avid reader–always has been, and he hails from a strong family who taught and reinforced the philosophy of self-determination/sufficiency–do for self and uplift the race. The sermons they preached they lived.
I conclude by saying leaders are readers–readers are leaders!
hmmm,
Thinking will not do, it’s the KNOWING!
You are 100% correct. I was misinformed and should have known better. I wasn’t dismissing Burt’s education only that given the situation we’re in it will take someone with a lot of business education AND extensive business experience to begin to be able to handle our economy right now. Before you jump on your keyboard again let me tell you where I’m coming from, I have a business degree from a major university and 2 professional business designations and 25+ years in financial strategy and acquisitions and I don’t not fell this I would still be enough experience or education to be able to tackle the major issues Bermuda’ facing. So Bermuda needs someone who has a significant breadth of knowledge, experience and years and years of statesmanship, not only a business degree and limited experience, in order to be able to adequately and effectively address our current situation. Hopefully that helps you better understand where I was coming from. Again, sincerest apologies if this was interpreted in any other way than was intended
Anon,
With all those degrees and accumulated years of experience and lip service, you should have, before now, satisfied the OBA’s “Vote for 2,000 jobs”. Do you own your own business or are you an employee at risk–like many?
Personally, I knew they were sticking their knock out with the whole 2000 job statement, but I also know that out of any on the island, they do have the best and brightest in the business and financial field to be able to turn Bermuda’s economy around. In the 14 years of PLP, at no point had they presented a strategic financial plan for this country, but embarked on a mission to use and spend money as they felt they needed. And nothing they have said since they lost the election has shown me that that has changed. They have thrown out a lot of lofty ideas about what they think should be done, but no actual plan for how to get them to work, the only plan the PLP seem to have is to win back power with as much of a smear campaign as they can keep running, because that has been the only plan that all of the factions within the party seem to be able to agree on.
The PLP certainly have a very good chance of winning the next election and if they did I would not be surprised. I would be disappointed that we would be going back in time however as they have not shown that they have grown as a party at all since they lost the Government. It’s very easy to say that the OBA is the old UBP come back to life but it’s also very easy to say that the PLP still has the same old folks who put us in this mess at the top of their structure.
I predict the next election to be a very, very messy and nasty affair, the likes of which we have never seen before.
Agreed that it’s going to be an incredibly acrimonious election. The PLP will be doing everything to deflect from their financial legacy and the OBA won’t really have had much time to turn all that around. I hope Bermudians are smart enough to be able to see through all that.
If the last election was any indication, it will certainly be an ugly affair for the next one, so you are correct. The trouble is the PLP have been running their smear campaign as soon as they found out they lost, while the OBA has the disadvantage of the distraction of trying to fix the mess that we are in. I do remember how many justified voting the PLP back in after the infamous ‘I had to deceive you’ 2003 election was because they had only been in 1 term and should get a chance for a second. Let’s see how many will give the OBA a chance at a second term for the time they will still need to work at fixing things. It would be hypocritical not to, unless they really screw up, but the result of our economy from their neglect, the PLP have set that bench make pretty high.
the oba have proved that they can’t be trusted with truth
And the PLP have proved they can’t be trusted with power
…and certainly can’t be trusted with money or human rights issues
SMH,
The gall of you to speak about human rights, trust, money and more. You need to damn well look at what took place for the duration of 400+ years concerning those matters. History never sleeps, and the truth is always true. It tells us who the real vandals (highway robbery is the reason why they are ahead of the game–universally) were/are and who were/are the victims. The colours are not hidden.
There is no way to fix the past, but if you insist on living in it, then you will be the one never free of it.
Marcus Garvey had it close and to use and expand on his words – emancipate ourselves from mental ‘and emotional’ slavery because whilst others might free the body, none but ourselves can free the mind ‘and heart’. Mind is your only ruler, sovereign. The man who is not able to develop and use his mind is bound to be the slave of the other man who uses his mind
@ frank, what and the PLP can be? lol
@ Build a Better… So So True.
Already talking about an election which does not have to take place until 2017. Wow.
Yes sir’e, the One Bermuda Alliance must get people, (Bermudians) back to work a.s.a.p earning a decent wage so they too may turn their frowns up-side down
@ Conservative those of us who were not gullible and naive saw it a mile away !!!!!!!!!!!
Conservative,
You had my vote in your opening paragraph, but then I withdrew it in your final.
It seems the OBA is following its constitution and will leave the decision for the position of Premier first to its members, secondly to the OBA Parliamentarians and thirdly to the majority of Members of Parliament. All these procedures have a democratic vote which is a healthy exercise for Bermuda democracy.
If the process is open and transparent as its constitution states it can only strengthen this new party.
if an election for paty leader is to be held later this summer than how come Dunkley is being referred to as the premier not acting premier and bob as deputy not acting deputy ha
they are a bunch of liars that can’t be trusted.
now they are trying to take money from the government retires
OMG….it not the party that’s referring to them that way it’s the people who did the poll. Frank, what do you think we should be doing then to recoup the $2B in debt and another $2B in underfunded pension plans? What do you think the Gov. should do to create more jobs? Right now any Government worker that is something like 48 years old or younger doesn’t stand a chance to get ANY pension income. Do you think that’s fair? I noticed that Mr. Burgess or anyone in the PLP seemed to have forgotten to mention that part. I guess they too are a bunch or liars. SMH
The PLP Took it from all retirees then and future by not paying in for a year.
He is referred to as the Premier because he is the Premier until the OBA leadership election. He is not the ‘acting Premier’. He is the Premier.
And as for ‘taking money from retirees’, it the PLP who did that when they stopped contributing to the pension fund. Perhaps if they had contributed to the fund rather than throwing parties we wouldn’t be in such a mess. But that’s probably a bit hard to understand frank isn’t it. Much easier to whine and complain.
Serengeti the true ways of the oba will soon be made known for all to see
maybe you remember these words he has my full support
Serengeti the true ways of the oba will soon be made known for all to see
I believe the OBA has a clause that would allow them to designate a Premier until they have a leadership election, with enough support of sitting MP’s. negating the need to refer to the person as acting-premier.
As for the deminishing pensions scheme, perhaps some of the past premiers and MP’s could reduce their pension payouts to help alleviate the loss the scheme is suffering from, particularly the ones responsible for allowing it to fall into such a failing state. We all know that many of those former elected officials probably don’t need such payments to get by, the way it is going, the fund won’t last unless funds are added back in or cuts are made, you just can’t get monies if they aren’t there.
@ frank
Because Mr. Dunkley IS the Premiere, how difficult is that to understand?
cromwell,
Not with the milkman at the helm with his PERSONAL agenda. All are unfit.
The one reason I am a card carrying member of the OBA…..I get to vote for good leadership instead of ‘trusting’ the wisdom of the MPs or delegates that can be easily bribed, coerced, or manipulated. Remember what happened to Dame Jenny?
swing voter,
A double-minded person is UNSTABLE in ALL of his/her ways! You are unreliable, untrusworthy, and remind me of the meaning of a fair-weathered friend who takes up with one in good times but when trouble comes he/she cannot be found.
Swing high and lose your grip!
This is all for public perception.
I guarantee there will be no challengers, and a statement will be released saying Dunkley will remain Party Leader and Premier.
So? If no one else challenges what do you think they should do? Ask for applications to fill the Premier’s position on Facebook?
So what?
At least there won’t be a coup that is hidden from the public.
Yes’um, how can anyone forget them five words: “We had to deceive you”. Sorry P.L.P. but you’ll have to do a lot of back-paddling to get not only my vote but, the votes of several thousands other Bermudians!
But you are fine with the OBA deceiving you I take it.
@ Aceboy
Drum roll, cymbal lol
watching,
Bob Richards will be the next Premier, and the milkman Deputy. Remember, they are going to need a Black face to enter the political arena in 2017. Further, the milkman isn’t one whom the majority of the populace holds in high regard. He is viewed with a great deal of suspicion on a number of fronts from livingroom couches and on the unlit streets.
So your argument if Dunkley wins is where is the black leader we were promised? and your argument if Bob wins is, see they needed a black leader…..
LOL
Hope not.
do you all ever stop lets be foreral as long as there running our island
the right way thats all we should be worried about.Your all worste then little kids!Im tired of hearing this black and white and plp obq crap.Let them have a chance to run this country correctly,Instead of always talking about the negative all the time
john,
The OBA’s days are numbered. Bermuda has always been a racially divided island–Black and white. Those of us who feel it, live it, see it and call it as it is. No apologies if it makes you feel uncomfortable. Keep on feeling that way. To every action there is a reaction. Real change must begin with you and your people. However, this could never happen because of your deficiency.
Wow could you be more hatefull if you tried?…………
LOL and the OBAers are the one these guys call haters.lolololol