Who Will Replace Marc Bean As PLP Leader?
[Written by Don Burgess]
According to some within the PLP, David Burt is the favourite to become the next leader after the shock resignation from politics by Marc Bean yesterday.
Mr. Bean’s resignation caught many PLP insiders off guard. A special delegates conference will have to be convened within seven days and the Opposition will select their new leader heading into an election year cycle.
Bernews spoke to five party officials to get their take on who the new Opposition Leader could be.
One PLP party official told Bernews while David Burt — who has been serving as Deputy Leader — is an obvious candidate to put his name up for consideration other contenders could be Zane DeSilva, Michael Weeks, and possibly Dennis Lister or Walter Roban.
Another party official said that Kim Wilson might also decide to throw her hat into the ring.
Mr. Weeks, Mr. Roban and Mr. Burt all declined comment at this point while Mr. Lister and Mr. DeSilva were not able to be reached and Ms. Wilson was not available for comment.
PLP MP Jamahl Simmons said the party and the country had suffered a great loss with Mr. Bean’s resignation.
He added: “His family’s gain is Bermuda’s loss. His family has sacrificed time for him to be with us. Bermuda has lost one of the most honest men in politics.”
Mr. Simmons did not wish to discuss who might replace Mr. Bean.
However, a PLP MP said: “The most likely Party Leader will be David Burt. They can challenge him if they want but they won’t have the support he has.”
The PLP party official added: “What happened was a complete surprise to most. No one knew he was going to retire or resign.
“This was completely out in left field for most; the chairman didn’t know, the executive didn’t know, the caucus didn’t know.
“There will undoubtedly be key persons trying to run for leadership, but very few have the passion and ability to be the Party Leader, and, by extension, possibly be Premier.
“Not just for the party, we need someone who is best suited to potentially lead the country in the next year.”
The PLP party official added the next Leader should be someone who appeals to the broader community and someone who is well aware of Bermuda’s current economic situation.
The person added: “We need someone who will lead by consensus and not through dictatorship.”
A different PLP official said “David [Burt] will probably be anointed – like no one else put their name forward for ease of transition, but I hear Zane [DeSilva] may want it so in reality it will be at least a two-man race and at most a four-man race.
“One scenario could be Zane and David and for a three-man race: Zane, David and Michael Weeks. If it’s a four-person race, you could see [Walter] Roban or Kim Wilson get into the mix.”
I hear crabs in a bucket.
That is a very racist remark…….when black people put their names forward you call them crabs in a barrel when white people put their names forward you say they want to serve their country
Well we do live in a racist society, what elese you expect from Trump and David Duke supporters.
I like to play a game and press dislike on your comments before I read them and then read. If I ever read a comment of yours that makes sense I will apologize by way of reply so far I am safe.
Not a racist comment at all. The fact that you tried to turn it into one merely indicated where you mind is. You are projecting self onto someone else.
Crabs in a bucket is apparently an expression commonly used when a group (or in this case) a political party is in disarray and various factions or individuals are scrambling to get on top.
It has nothing to do with race.
But its never applied to U.B.P.
Because it doesn’t exist anymore.
The UBP was in a mess. The BDA was in a mess. When they were re-branding, and eventually evolving into the OBA, they weren’t called crabs in a bucket. You all most remember that the won the election by a slim majority. The PLP supporters that stayed away from the polls have opened their eyes. The OBA should be quite concerned.
*must remember
“Crabs in a bucket” also known as the “crab mentality”. The analogy in human behavior is claimed to be that members of a group will attempt to negate or diminish the importance of any member who achieves success beyond the others, out of envy, spite, conspiracy, or competitive feelings, to halt their progress.
Seems pretty apt for a fight for party leadership, wouldn’t call it racist.
@ Good Guy. Please help my understand how you determine what “Triangle Drifter” said is racist? I could conger up many things but none are racist.
@Onion Juice. Stop painting everyone with the same brush.
That’s irrelevant when it comes to social media Widget. The fact is that a blogger has identified/named someone as a racist is proof enough. Who needs evidence when you have anonymity and the guilt of other bloggers on your side? A prime case of cyber bullying!
Not racist at all except maybe to some very insecure people. Crabs come in all manner of colours. Put them in a bucket & the reaction will be the same. Climbing over each other in an effort to be top crab & escape.
Raciest in the eyes of a chronic raciest
Not racist at all! The first time I heard the saying, it came from the mouth of the great, revered (by some, at least) Mose Allen – and he was calling his fellow PLP members “crabs”. I was 12 or 13 years old at the time.
Crabs in a bucket is a saying in reference to when a person attempts to better/improve themselves and others pull them down instead of helping them up.
There is nothing racist about the comment. You are being racist for thinking its racist. You’re projecting.
@ Triangle Drifter, you really live up to your name, you even sound like a drifter and I am not talking about the legendary singers.
In my opinion we all need to try and remove the emotionalism out of the equation and be truthful, P.L.P is on shaky grounds and if the election was called now, they would not win or come close.
So we need a leader who can bridge the divide and speak to all sectors of society, and that is from the Wealth and riches at the top,right down to the beggar on the street and every person and group in between.
I will say it publicly and stand behind my convictions, Mr. Zane Desilva needs to step up to the plate and his colleagues need to support him in this post. Say what you will but he has a lot to offer, not just the party but the country as a whole, and just maybe some of the other jokers, will take their role as political leaders more serious, and not just for personal gain.
And the cookie jar mentality that Marc Bean mentioned will continue.
Could you be more specific about what you feel he has to offer, other than “a lot”?
Crabs in the oba/U.B.P. bucket have deliberately snipped and bitten Bermudians.
David Burt should be Leader
Zane DeSilva should be Deputy Leader
The party will coalesce around them and there should not be a fight, in my opinion.
Even though I liked Mark’s no nonsense approach, which made whites quiver(and some Blacks), this is a MAJOR blow for U.B.P. knowing that P.L.P. can regroup and put all doubts aside about uncertainty and focus on getting rid of this joke of a Government.
I don’t recall quivering
His name is Marc.
Bean did not make us quiver. He mostly made us laugh. Your hero worship of a political opportunist is amusing too.
You are one IGNORANT fool for even spewing your venom from your parched lips. You sit there salivating like the rest of your OBA cronies who have the nerve to call the kettle black.
I hope the Commission now turns on your tails and talk about the deal your OBA crew struck regarding the Swing Bridge…the airport and the other interests which is obviously benefiting your once again “back room friends”
The PLP poll numbers have and will continue to jump because of the BLATANT LIES told by your party, the deviously calculated Fahy, Richards and the rest……YOUR party has helped to bolster the poll numbers and you will see the results at the polls because so many more will be able to come out and vote because they won’t be working in any of the 2,000 jobs you promised!!
I’ll await a qualified audit and special AG’s report.
TO Onion Juice:
If you notice, you have racked up LOTS of dislikes. I know that you know why!!
Power to the P.L.P.
P.L.P. all the way!!( smile)
That means um hitting a nerve, History has proven that when you oppose undeserved privileged ideologies and systems you will get backlash.
Just ask Martin, Malcolm and Marcus.
Oh one more M, Mandela.
I hear the good Rev Tweedle Dee has thrown his collar into the ring
Tweedle dumb?
Kim Wilson
Easily the best choice. Same old, same old otherwise.
Well whoever they are they will be better then Jet surroGATE.
LMFAO
Still safe.
You should throw your hat in OJ. Or are you afraid you’ll lose out like you did with the BTA job?
It’s a mess, there is talk of putting a neutral figure there until the election is over, then they can continue their internal fight against each other.
Just as a business’ primary objective is to make profit, the Leader of the Opposition’s primary goal is to prepare the party electorally to win the election.
Although the neutral Leader theory until election is an ok strategy, I feel the better strategy will be to elect a Leader who will lead them to elections and be the Premier should they win. A strong leader is bound to have those who like him and those who dislike him. A neutral leader may be perceived to be weak and secondly may be perceived to be not someone who will become Premier if they win, so that ambiguity may not help PLP with the electorate.
The neutral leader theory should be pursued only if the party feels the neutral leader would “guarantee” a win at the elections and the core base will come out to vote for him.
Win de election and then bring de Dr. back, that would be a story.
Not really. Not even deception, this time.
@Onion Juice. Seriously, you really must think the PLP party is stupid, why would the member even consider the notion of bring de Dr. back?
Just like last time he sneaked his way to the Premier job.
“vote for him” … or her …
That self hate is too real. Mental slavery, let unite and not fight my beautiful black people.
There are people of other race in the PLP…stop creating division among your own party by excluding them from your comment.
Well they must be de silent few,they dont show their support like Blacks show their support for U.B.P.
Mmmmmmmmm
I nominate Micheal Fahd JP MP.I think he would do an excellent job
Sorry Fahy
Rev. Tweed is available…..
Who ever gets in, it’s guaranteed the race card will be played.
Only racists talk about a “race card”, “Oppressed”. I assume that you like your cousins in the US who are lining up to vote for Trump also view your self as a victim with a major grievance against black people who in your mind are the source of your racist angst and everything that is wrong with Bermuda.
The race card has been playing since Indiginous people have murdered and had their lands plundered.
Still safe (by a mile)
You stole indiginous people from their land and bought them to Bermuda,worked them for a few centuries for FREE is just as bad !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Who are the indigenous people? Oh, sorry, that’s right they would be the English who first settled on the Island.
Those would be St David’s Islanders. All who have a no nonsense attitude and know how to get things done.
So who are the indigenous people in Bermuda… Whites were the first to arrive here, Just Sayin
You are not making sense, just noise
Jiggs bda—-try again, white people were not the first to arrive in Bermuda; they did not discover it they found an occupied place and ignored the occupants .. If this was their land they wouldn’t have to colonize it, and be subject to a PARENT country.(Britian)
haha , that rates right up there with OJ’s incredible attempts at re-writing history .
So , do educate us all . Who exactly were these existing ‘occupants’ that the early ‘colonists’ discovered here and ignored ?
Sad, the ignorance of some…. our poor education system showing up yet again.
lol…the only indigenous creatures that were murdered were the Cahows. You don’t know your history.
Like when England was occupied by the Vikings, followed by the Romans, followed by the French? Man, there’s some reparations they could get there.
Perhaps the “Race Card” is referred to by those who have, and still do, experience racial prejudice. It does still exist, you know. Those who only hear tell of this concept of “racial prejudice” will naturally become weary of that commentary because it, very likely, is a life experience they might never have had. Spend a day in somebody else’s skin and then review your criticism, Truth. You might find your “Truth Telling” to be a little different. Shalom.
Well i can tell you that whites in Bermuda have and do experience racial prejudice….
Prejudice means to dislike someone because of an external feature like skin colour, religious beliefs/
That word is thrown around a lot but applies in many more cases than just against blacks,
I know from experience
Yup, I have witnessed my mother being accused of being racist personally twice. Simply because she was white and English and they were black. The first person at least stopped talking as soon as someone pointed out I was her son (I’m mixed and clearly NOT white). Happens a lot more than people think it does.
I also know of black people who experience prejudice from other other black people because they are too light-skinned.
Thats because they have been socially conditioned by colonialism.
No, it’s because they are racially prejudiced. It’s their own choice to be racists. They can choose to be or they can choose not to be.
And what we end up with is the disgusting grafitti that’s all over the island.
You are a sad, tiny individual.
Jamahl is the man! He has proven he is flexible enough to fit into any parties agenda. It should be a cinch for him to be able to agree with both factions at once.
Nope, tied himself too much to Bean. Really doesn’t matter who they put there, one side or the other will merely bide their time until they can put themselves back on top, and the cycle will continue. It’s been going on for decades in the PLP, look back to what happened to Paula Cox, look back further to Alex Scott, keep going back and you will see what happens to PLP leaders of one side or the other or even neutral… the inevitable falling for the sake of the other side trying to get back on top again.
I am truly interested in who is the new leader
I am truly interested in who is the new leader
Burt is too you and too inexperienced. Good speaker but lacks substance and will not bridge the gap sensibly. Kim Wlson would be smart…but then again the PLP put Bean in power for 4 years of acrimony, conspiracy theories and bizarre behavior…probably on that record will not make a sensible choice!
OBA will need to get something moving as the “Bean factor” is gone and Americas Cup is the only card they have right now!
Jonathan Smith
If I may say so,Miss Kim Wilson,smart, sincere ,very professional ,if she doesn’t get it she should cross the floor…
Does she want it?
Good point…defenatly the very best they got..
Why would Ms. Wilson cross the floor when Crockwell has headed in the opposite direction and Kenny Bascome has made it clear publicly that he doesnt like Michael Dunkley?
Moreover, Pettingill is also an independent in everything but name.
No kidding.
Interesting times,,,,,interesting events,,,,,,healthy times,,,,,,positive results,,,, Pending,,,,.There is nothing more positive than change,in fact the only thing that is constant is change……..that goes with the old saying,,,,change is as good as rest.We should fear stagnancy which goes with ,sickness,and dis -ease ,,,,,.We should only work for a change for the better…….change will come inevitably ,in everything,,,,,,nothing remains the same.Onward and upward,,,P.L.P. another opport-unity for growth…..and Unity.Peace.
it really doesnt matter who they make king, infighting will continue through 2017
I think Mr. Simmons would be good also, he doesn’t seem to be caught up with the mess.
By that you mean he has managed to stay quiet while the storm blow around him.
Wrong, Oh so wrong!
Mr Simmons is evidence of exactly whats wrong with the current PLP. He has no ideology of his own, but will craft a narrative which suits the master who pays him at any given time. Hence his ability to switch seamlessly between parties, as has Wayne Furbert, Kim Swan and others in recent times.
There was a time when the PLP stood for a well defined and honourable objective. Not so now, and as soon as Marc Bean hinted as much, he has seemingly been removed from his post.
Mark Bean was the Donald Trump of the PLP. He hung himself look at his history as leader. The whites didn’t think much of him and he lost many black supporters with his foul mouth.
“Zaob Yob” says that Jamahl Simmons along with Kim Swan and Wayne Furbert seamlessly switch parties because they lack a core ideology.
I do not agree with that argument. But on the other hand; and for the sake of argument one could make the same case with respect to the wholesale defection from and betrayel of the then UBP by Richards, Dunkley, Smith, Pamplin,Gibbons,Sousa et al who now form the backbone of the OBA party and government.
What is good for the goose should also be good for…
Maybe they could hire someone with people skills.
Not much really to choose from that would be a good leader. They’re all in it for the money anyway. Shawn Crockwell would be a great choice lol!
I vote for Zane DeSilva
A white man as leader of a black party ??? Get real.
Can you vote for yourself?
Yet no-one mentions who would be the best choice for Bermuda. Sad, really.
David Burt is young and has some experience as Junior Minister and Deputy Leader with some understanding of the critical portfolio of Finance.
Zane has more experience as both a businessman and minister.
You cannot have someone who would be a pushover and not strong. When a OBA member or party sympathizer “prefers” someone, then that person should definitely not be chosen.
The most important qualification for the new Leader is the ability to win the elections. That should be the sole criteria. Has to be the same criteria for any party when approaching elections.
The perfect leader hasn’t been mentioned yet!!!!
Because there is no perfect leader. There is no one capable of taking over so you would have trouble mentioning anyone.
Whoever is chosen, will have had to have the confidence of the committee , they will have demonstrated strong leadership, people skills, and knowledge with some experience of what is before him/her. There will always be persons who have an idea where they want the country to go … its being able to do it.
Who really cares
I think Burt is the man. Not Zane.
Nice to see that Kim Wilson is the popular choice online. The problem is what can she do if she is surrounded by a bunch of back biting political misfits? With very few exceptions the PLP talent pool is extremely shallow. Why would any sane person want to lead them?
Who can lead the party to election victory is the sole criteria that should be used. Everything else is secondary.
Party unity is also key.
When Cannonier fell off his horse, who was seemingly waiting on the side-lines…does the PLP have a similar scenario in the mix just waiting.
Well it would seem, based on the statements from now resigned PLP senate leader Daniels, that Burt, Zane and the gang have already sorted out the leadership. Irony that Bean’s mentor the good Dr. stabbed the PLP leader in the back to get to his lofty position and now Bean has been stabbed in the back by Burt, Zane and co.
PLP is game of thrones. Winter is coming.