OBA Elect Dunkley, Richards & Woolridge

September 2, 2014

Michael Dunkley has been elected as OBA Leader, Minister of Finance Bob Richards has been elected the OBA Deputy Leader, and Senator Lynne Woolridge has been elected as OBA Chair.

The OBA said, “Pursuant to the OBA Constitution all three were duly elected by acclaim being the only contenders who challenged for the three roles. The elected individuals assume the posts effective immediately.”

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 the $350,000 donation made by Mr. Landow and his associates.

Michael Dunkley took on the role of Premier following Mr. Cannonier’s resignation, however he could have been challenged for the leadership position by any of the OBA MPs, as the OBA constitution calls for a leadership election if the leader steps down.

The election for OBA Chair comes after the resignation of Thad Hollis, who stepped down on July 22nd, only a few days after Mr. Hollis released his findings into the “JetGate” affair.

Premier Dunkley said: “The One Bermuda Alliance has had time for serious introspection and honest, frank discussion. We are unified in our desire to work in the best interests of all Bermudians.

“We are keen to get on with the people’s business and get Bermuda working for Bermudians. I am encouraged by the passion and drive of our executive and members to ensure that we address all issues and concerns – be they social, economic or environmental – to ensure a sustainable and prosperous future for all.”

Senator Woolridge said: “I look forward to working with the executive and membership to bring about good governance, sound policies that assist those most in need, and continue in our efforts to grow our economy and provide jobs for Bermudians.”

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Comments (77)

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  1. Next time I vote 4 KFC says:

    “We are unified in our desire to work in the best interests of all Bermudians.”

    “We are keen to get on with the people’s business and get Bermuda working for Bermudians.”

    DID YOU PEOPLE NOT SAY THIS AFTER THE LAST ELECTION. Never mind more BS. Welcome back UBP burp!!!!

  2. Concerned Citizen says:

    What???? Do the powers that be within the OBA have any respect for their membership, or is this a case of “functional unity” that Dr. Brown spoke about last Friday?

    • Kangoocar says:

      Were was your concern when just hours after a GENERAL ELECTION, 2005, the first thing we heard was ” WE HAD TO DECEIVE YOU?? ) The OBA members had every right to challenge the leadership and they chose not too!!!! Congrats to Prem Dunkley, now let’s get on with the people’s business!!! The only thing I ask is don’t forget to make those accountable for the $800 million missing!!!!!!!!

      • mixitup says:

        Bernews, can you order some more exclaimation marks. Mine don’t seem to be working for SOME REASON.

        • PBanks says:

          There is a certain poster who seems to have a special keyboard in place when it comes to excessive punctuation marks…

      • Kunta says:

        Well at least they still have de generational Surrogate in tow.

      • DreamCatcher says:

        UBP Leader. UBP Deputy. So much for new blood and visionaries.

  3. mixitup says:

    Surprise Surprise … NOT!! What a sham Gov’t this is! And to think people fell for this.. Sad

    • Triangle Drifter says:

      Kinda like the PLP & BIU inna?

      • Raymond Ray says:

        Exactly! Triangle Drifter :-(
        “I realize that patriotism is not enough. I must have no hatred or bitterness towards anyone” Edith Cavell Nurse & humanitarian (1865- 1915)
        Now, if only some,(certain individuals) can comprehend that if the Opposition were to get voters believing just half of what they profess to be “the truth” we all are in serious trouble…
        Bermudians must learn to think for themselves!

      • LOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOL says:

        And this makes it ok in your eyes?

        • LOL (Original TM*) says:

          Acutually it is the same, as no matter how you slice it both parties have had questionable things happen under them and yet you and other PLP supporters ignor that and want people to vote for your group anyway!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WTF is that? If your moral compass works at all you would not be advocating for either party an you would put out your own party and platform. Someone with your high sense in morality should have no problem securing votes right?

          LOL

  4. lifetime says:

    Senator Lynne Woolridge is Chair?

    Good governance eh?

    Call Gwyneth Rawlins tonight!

    Too bad you’ll learn the hard way.

    • Coffee says:

      Nope she won’t , she thinks she’s the bloody cats meow !

    • Well Done says:

      Well done. Now that these three individuals are confirmed in their positions, lets continue to get the job done. Senator Woolridge is a great lady and many know that she has what it takes to help move the country in the right direction! There is hope after all!

  5. We Are Not Amused! says:

    watch all the brainwashed plp bloggers hit on this Bernews article.

    • Ian says:

      If “pop bloggers” are brainwashed then what are you – enlightened, impartial and free-thinking? LOL!

    • We Are Not Amused! says:

      see,I was right… innna!

    • LOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOL says:

      Same can be said for all sides, as you can see below – comments from both the brainwashed PLP and the brainwashed OBA!!

  6. Rhonda says:

    is this what is meant by functional unity.

  7. Tom Cooke says:

    Now that we have a leader let’s get the work done. And less B.S on the blogs… not that, that will happen. ..

  8. flikel says:

    I remember when noone challenged the BIU president in their most recent election. Many OBA supporters questioned the validity of the election, called the voters sheep for not demanding someone else step up and challenge for the role of President, questioned whether the BIU election was democratic.

    The BIU was the subject of many negative posts because the current President was reelected without any opposition.

    How do such OBA supporters classify this election?

    • Kunta says:

      Because white associated entities can do no wrong, its an in graved historical rule of thumb.

    • Rockfish#1 says:

      flikel,

      I’m neither a PLP or OBA supporter. However, your point is well taken!

    • Creamy says:

      I looked back at the Furbert re election article. On the issue of unopposed re election, several people you class as OBA supporters also said they had no problem with the unopposed nature of the re election. They took issue with other OBA sympathisers, and spoke in defence of the BIU and Furbert on that issue.

      But the converse is unfortunately not true. PLP supporters were the first posters on this article, critical of the exact same thing-the unopposed nature of the election. And NO PLP supporters have had the integrity to do what the OBA supporters did on the Furbert article.

      So it’s easy to see who is hypocritical, if that was your intended implication.

  9. Evie says:

    What a waste of effing film lol hahahahaha SMDH where is Mr. Ray not far from the OBAs a$$ I’m sure right to the borning script this has played our Minister Dunkley you should be ashamed of yourself

  10. Paz says:

    Lynne Woolridge is a woman of integrity and aptitude. She is a high quality addition.

    • Smith says:

      Lynne remember do as they SAY not as they do, that’s the role of a surrogate.

    • The Ridiculist says:

      Let’s see if she can hold on to her dignity and still serve in the role appointed with the UBP……watch this space.

  11. Scotty says:

    Evie, could you please say that again in English? I am sure it is derogatory but a little sentence construction would help. Who is Mr Ray? What is a ‘borning script’?

  12. Tell it like it is says:

    I don’t why anyone is surprised that the OBA election went that way. It was planned that way. The main issue was getting rid of Craig.

    • aceboy says:

      LOL

      The PLP are the ones who called for his resignation. Don’t let facts get in the way of a good rant though.

  13. Coffee says:

    Why didn’t Bob challenge Dunkeley ? Well maybe Bob was TOLD to stay in his lane . Also the last thing Bob wants to hear from Dunkeley is this ,” Yah doin ah right dear Bobby bye , n guess what , um got yah back !

    See Bobby’s smarter than the average bear , he will never allow Dunkeley to watch his back . He is fully aware that he can’t trust Dunkeley with that awesome responsibility .

    In the beginning in order to win the election Dunkeley encouraged the two black surrogates to duke it out for leadership , Bobby called Craig a Couple of foul names , Craig won . Craig lost because he didn’t fly economy . Dunkeley swooped in and took all the marbles , it’s Bobbies turn now to wait until Dunkeley’s milk spoils , which have no doubt it will … Very Soon .

    • Hmmm says:

      Perhaps he is busy enough with the Ministry of finance. Perhaps he has great faith in Dunkley to do a great job for Bermuda and Bermudians.

    • Enough says:

      That must be it huh? Everything must hinge on race right?? Get over it and stop playing that card the whole time when something happens you don’t agree with. It’s getting old now and that chip on your shoulder continues to grow even bigger.

      • Anbu says:

        It doesnt bother our generation that they keep droppin that race card ish. It doesnt bother us as much as the old foggies. We r just waitin for all the old farts to depart this plain of existance. Maybe in another 10 or 15 years we might make some headway. Its a sad truth but it is truth.

        • Kunta says:

          De ideology of white supremacy was around for a long time and will continue to be around for a long time, and IF you happen to be of African decent (which I doubt) you will get a taste of it sooner then later, unless you become a Surrogate.

    • Maggie May says:

      Perhaps Bob has more than he can handle cleaning up the financial mess that was inherited by the OBA! I call it the best man in the best place but then I don’t look at color! Thank you Bob for your expertise and continuing to do what must be the most difficult job in Government.

    • Shelly says:

      Unless the cows have been fed GMO grain

  14. swing voter says:

    2000 jobs
    a hotel project
    reduction of government operating costs
    reduction of MP salaries
    reduction of cabinet
    general uptake in business
    reduction of national debt

    make me want to vote for you in 3 yrs

  15. Baygrapes says:

    I am so thankful. Congratulations to Michael Dunkley. Now, can we just PLEASE get on with saving Bermuda.

    Bermuda can we please pull together for the sake of this amazing, beautiful Island we are so lucky to have been born on.

    • SMFH says:

      How the hell is he saving Bermuda LMFAO what has he done?!!! There are still thousands of peole without work (black Bermudian People).. Everyone seems to have forgotten about housing, which nothing has been done about that.. Hotels can now get wavers on posting a job that Bermudians can do.. ANd the thing with that is how many other wavers are in the making that we don’t know about.. I’ll only guess that he will be a PRC holder in the next couple of years, but we the people won’t hear about that.. So what this great plan that Dunkely as to offer huh?!!! or may be is saving your kinda of Bermuda? LMFAO And the OBA is creating jobs for Bermudians lol HOW?!!! What the hell are these people doing to save this island? You people make laugh….

  16. Rockfish#1 says:

    No surprises here, time to move on.
    But I cannot wait for Zane to be elected leader of the PLP.

  17. Dylan says:

    lets just get on and govern and get this island back on track …wow… how so quickly we forget how bad it was/ is and at least we can see a future now …..there is god after all

  18. Banana says:

    I think the PLP have people creating fake usernames/accounts to post/vote down comments on this board. Someone should be investigating the IP addresses…I bet they all come from a handful of devices.

    • Impressive says:

      Why,, do you find it hard to believe that a great deal of people don’t see the world the way you do??

      • Banana says:

        Not at all…but there is a difference between someone’s actual, logically determined rationale for supporting a party and propaganda based support mongering. You don’t have to be a genius to discern between fake accounts and real accounts. The PLP see this event as something they can flip in their favor and they feel like the blogs are probably the easiest way to develop a ground swell of support. Common parlor tricks.

        • LOL (Original TM*) says:

          agreed look at the likes and disslikes notice that they seem to be fighting each other for the most clicks. Could be blogger for both parties here. Question this which party is involved in and engages in “American Style Politics”? Thenk think about what propaganda is and then turn on the radio and give a listen you should get your answer.

          LOL

          • Banana says:

            My question is, why isn’t the OBA doing the same thing? The biggest risk here is letting the country fall back into the hands of the PLP where they change the laws to put back in Brown and he becomes a dictator. We are not far away from a Cuba or a Venezuela and should not be so arrogant in thinking we are above history.

  19. aceboy says:

    I don’t understand what the PLP bloggers are saying here….are they upset by a white leader now? He was leader yesterday too.

  20. The Underground Movement says:

    Whatever’ – just get on with rebuilding the ecconomy that you claim to know how to do– without hurting the common Bermudian or at the common Bermudian’s expense. – and leave all this other BS alone.

    OBA choose well or turn the Island into Turmoil and Hell’
    PLP are to getting ready because only time will tell!

  21. JUNK YARD DOG says:

    ” Work our way out of this mess not talk our way out”.

    *****BUDGET CUTS*****.

    Many countries are putting in to place massive cuts by drastically reducing the applied budgets to a long list of unproductive programs.

    It is doing more with less at the same time streamlining jobs while improving efficiency, revising job descriptions with revised pay checks.

    it is time to do the same here as over half the services are not needed or can be reduced by 50 %, there is always a better way of doing things at the same time eliminating the red tape .

    Stop the running around this is not a game, we are in business to do business.

    Move into the 25 Th Century by revising the Government budget or cause immediate cut backs now.

    Bermudians can not afford to live here.

    Visitors can not afford to come here.

    Because we are all over taxed!

    We can not wait till next year, winter is coming.

    If we don’t act now we will all be out of a job.

  22. Alvin Williams says:

    Now that the new emperor has been proclaim; we can now expect to see he dancing with the Gombeys in the up coming Gombey festival this week end,

    • Triangle Drifter says:

      And if he does not show up for it you will be the first on here complaining that Dunkley never shows up for any predominately black events. He is not in tune with the people you will say.

      Never satisfied.

  23. watching says:

    So are we to believe that there is no ambition within the OBA? Not one other MP was interested in rising to the ranks of Leader or Deputy Leader? And even more curiously not one other member was interested in becoming Chairman? What happened to the over 1000 members that voted for Leader in their last leadership contest? There was not 1 other that thought he or she could do a good job as Chairman.
    I smell a rat.

    • JustAskin2 says:

      They were told not to and they did as they were told.

      • Creamy says:

        Is that what happened when Furbert was re elected unopposed as BIU leader? Did all the other potential candidates “do as they were told”? Or are we to believe thst none of the other thousands of BIU members had any ambition?
        Did you “smell a rat” then as well?

  24. Alvin Williams says:

    Is it possible that Kangoocar is one of those paid OBA bloggers? Not that he engages in that dirty tricks program; but does he have any shame; taking money out of the mouth of the unemployed and under mining his OBA government’s plan to create 2;000 jobs? no the real shame is that he don’t need it; all the money he is sitting on and enjoying Bermuda’s status as a low tax jurisdiction-does e have any shame?

  25. Raymond Ray says:

    And…?
    Get your head from your tail bie’ because each comment emanating stinks!
    The O.B.A. have been in “Power” for less than 2 years and they have / are turning things around for the betterment of everyone including you, so “chill” :-(

  26. Frank says:

    Who else from the OBA would you bloggers want as Premier and deputy? The OBA is putting forward there best to run Bermuda at a time when the past ruling party ran up Billions of debt.

    • Frank says:

      Mr.Cannonier was voted in as the first leader of the OBA chosen by the voters of the newly formed OBA party. It was done openly by all members of the OBA not a select few.

  27. animallover says:

    No matter what the OBA do, for some, they will always by the White Party. Such a shame that these folks always see colour as an issue. Michael Dunkley is the best man for the job. If you don’t like it, BA leaves every night to the UK. Delta and American can take you to the Caribbean. My point, you don’t have to put up with it, you can leave, maybe we’d be better off without you, but I can sure tell you this. The OBA will succeed in turning this country around, with or without your help.

  28. Spliffs says:

    Great Leadership,now take the country forward .

  29. Just a matter of time says:

    Wow! That whole surrogate plan worked perfectly didn’t it? I will give credit though, no matter how deceitful the creators of this devious plan were I will admit that this was a flippin’ flawless bold plan which worked! Yup, the UBP are now back in power. Bda and many OBA supporters who wanted change were definitely hoodwinked! Wonder what the non-UBP OBA backbenchers and supporters are thinking now? Didn’t they and many others vote for change? Wow. I for one am glad it played out this way though because even though it is a bitter pill to swallow for many, this was a bitter lesson to be forever learned. Bda will never forget this devious political chess move. Checkmate! This is worse than the often quoted ‘We had to deceive you’ quote by Dr. Brown. At least he admitted to it. No such thing for the UBP.

    • JustAskin2 says:

      We knew they were deceitful, why should they admit it. If you were foolish to vote for them, they knew they could always fool you. Mark my words, certain Bermudians will wake up one day and find themselves seriously disenfranchised.