PLP Confirm Kim Swan As C#2 Candidate
[Updated] The PLP has announced that Kim Swan will be their candidate for Constituency #2 St. George’s West in the upcoming general election.
Mr Swan is a former MP and the former leader of the United Bermuda Party, however he joined the PLP in 2014.
The seat is currently held by the OBA’s Nandi Outerbridge, who won 38.69% [359 votes] in the 2012 General Election, with the closely contested seat seeing a three way race with the PLP’s Renee Ming earning 38.25% [355 votes] and Kim Swan receiving 23.06% [214 votes] while running as in Independent.
Mr Swan, who was the incumbent in 2012, ran as an Independent after the UBP officially dissolved following the merger with the BDA to form the OBA; while Renee Ming stepped in as a candidate a few weeks before the election after the original candidate stepped down.
Results from Constituency #2 St. George’s West in the 2012 General Election:
The General Election has not yet been called, however both parties seem to be moving into election mode, and this is the second candidate announcement, following after the confirmation earlier this week that Senator Renee Ming will be the PLP’s candidate for Constituency #1 St Georges North.
The announcement has just concluded, and we will have photos and additional information later on, and in the meantime, the live video replay is below.
The 18-minute live video replay is below:
Update 3.38pm: Speaking at this afternoon’s announcement, Opposition Leader David Burt said, “I am delighted to spend another beautiful day this week in St. George’s, the birthplace of Bermuda politics, to present the Bermuda Progressive Labour Party’s next candidate for the general election.
“It is with great pleasure that I introduce the PLP candidate for Constituency 2: Kim Swan.
“Kim’s relationship to St. George’s has many levels. He has called St. George’s home for many years. He is committed to its well being and is a constant presence at community events.
“Most importantly, he has represented this constituency in the House of Assembly and represented it well. Many know Kim as I do, as a man who perseveres; a man who is passionate about the people he seeks to serve; a man who does not tire; a man who does not give up when others do.
“In many ways, Kim demonstrates exactly those attributes which saw him become a trailblazer for Bermuda in golf. He was the first Bermudian to compete on the PGA European Golf Tour. He won two NCAA collegiate golf championships. Like a true sportsman, he knows how to compete with dignity; he knows how to fight honourably; and he knows how to win with humility.
“Kim is a seasoned representative for the people. He has an admirable track record of serving his country as a Senator and as an MP. He has spent hundreds of hours knocking on doors, listening to constituent concerns, resolving problems and directing people to resources that could help them.
“It is this passion for service and this dedication to helping his fellow Bermudians that makes Kim qualified to represent the people of Constituency 2 in the House of Assembly.
“Kim’s past found him standing across the aisle from the PLP, but his enduring commitment to the people gave us cause to wholeheartedly embrace him and he has proven to be committed to the PLP’s vision of a just and fair Bermuda society.
“He has never forgotten where he came from or how he got to where he is now. He is equally comfortable engaging with a St. George’s centenarian as he is coaching a teenage golfer. Kim connects where it counts – with people’s needs – to make our community a better place for all.
“Kim Swan is here to do the people’s business in Constituency 2. Not his business; your business. His familiar name on the ballot paper shows perseverance and dedication; it shows experience, it shows knowledge, and it shows a true servant of Bermuda.”
Update 6.05pm: Kim Swan’s full statement follows below:
Good Afternoon Party Leader, Mr. E. David Burt, PLP Constituency #2 Executive and Branch, Family, Friends & Media gathered today.
I am both humbled and honored to be here today, having been selected as the candidate for the Bermuda Progressive Labour Party in Constituency #2 – St. George’s West.
As is the case at every Progressive Labour Party meeting I have attended since 2014, I pray to God Almighty for the wisdom, guidance and strength to serve our community and country to the best of my ability.
Notwithstanding that my political journey took a longtime to bring me to the PLP, it would be remiss of me if I didn’t acknowledge persons who have long encouraged me to join the PLP. Judy Jones, Thomas Paynter, Gregory ‘Brutus’ Foggo, Sharon Tyrrell, Eugene Wainwright, Bootsie Wolffe, Glen ‘Poochie’ Blakeney, Chris Famous and Leroy Riley; you are persons I must single out for believing in me as a person and encouraging me to join the PLP. They were the ones along with our former Leader, Marc Bean, who encouraged me to join the PLP and make a political contribution standing on a solid foundation. I am grateful to all for being welcomed with open arms.
In addition, I must also single out the many good people I have long admired within the PLP – my cousins Reg Burrows & Stanley Morton, Captain Neville Darrell, Cromwell Shakir, Cal Smith, Ottiwell Simmons, Walter Lister, Former Premiers Alex Scott & Paula Cox and of course the late Dame Lois Browne-Evans.
As an adopted St. Georgian I am most appreciative of the persons of this constituency who have become my family – Lydia Foggo, Winslow ‘Bronkie’ Minors Kathleen Brangman, Aunt Betty Smith, Perry ‘Mr. P’ Simons of Wellington Slip Road, along with my actual family in this constituency-The Postlethwaite Family, Wilkinson Family & the Hall Family.
To the good people of St. Georges West, Const. #2, I on behalf of the PLP, respectfully seek your support in the upcoming General Election. I pledge to be accessible and responsive to your concerns.
As your Progressive Labour Party Member of Parliament, the issues of our constituency will remain on the front burner. Our team will address the restoration of the St. George’s Golf Course, and coastal erosion along Mullet Bay. We will support all education institutions especially those in St. George’s, such as East End Primary, St. George’s Prep, St. David’s and Clearwater Middle School by focusing on educational, cultural and social development. We will provide solutions to those residents calling for a pipeline providing potable water to households west of Khyber Pass, St George. And I will work with the Mayor and Corporation of St. George to ensure the Towne of St George’s is restored to a vibrant working town.
In support of the PLP Vision 2025, I will work to ensure greater economic activity is created in St. George’s and that Bermudians are given precedence in selection for these jobs.
I will assist in ensuring that residents of St George’s feel safe and secure in their homes and that our community is regularly policed. I will show a commitment to our young people by partnering with St George’s Cricket Club, local churches and community organizations to support and enrich our young people in St George’s.
I cannot stand here today and not acknowledge my teammate who was unveiled on Tuesday as the candidate for St. George’s North, Senator Renee Ming. I congratulate Senator Ming on her candidacy, and together we pledge to work on behalf of all St. Georgian’s. The PLP Team for St. George’s is committed, dedicated and passionate about our community, and we offer ourselves to you.
Ladies and gentlemen, in addition to the issues mentioned above and any other issues that may arise, the people of St George’s West can count on me to be their humble servant – I will work for you!
With the help of you, the constituents of this community, we will work to provide you with the representation you deserve; as your PLP MP in waiting, the work has already begun connecting with you on local and national issues.
I will be your voice.
To our Hon. Leader David Burt, I stand with you and your competent Parliamentary team and I applaud you all for the great job you have done this Parliamentary session holding the feet of this callously insensitive government to the fire.
People of St. George’s West and Bermuda, the hour has come for us to lock arms and walk in step on behalf of marginalized Bermudians …… we must provide assurance to Bermudians in desperate need of good leadership that we will put their needs – the needs of our Bermudian people – first and foremost.
Maybe Bermudians just needs another dose of the PLP so that those who don’t vote PLP can tell em “I told you so!!!”
Even though I never agreed with his political past, he stayed to de wicket while everybody else bailed out, you have to respect a man for that.
Nice to see my people having a come to Jesus moment.
Meanwhile the OBA are getting hotel development done in St Geo.
While de average working Bermudian is treated like a Second class Citizen.
Indeed, while the UBP “imploded”, he did stick to the wicket and what he thought was right.
He’s had an intriguing political journey, that’s for sure.
And it looks like the book could have a couple of chapters remaining.
In St George my family of 7 has always voted for Kim Swan and will to do so because we know we can depend on him.
LOL…nah
Glad to See the OLD UBP gang getting back together!
Well after Dunks forgot his mic was on and said” What a waste of F!@#ing film” what else do you expect.
time…a waste of F!@#ng time.
It was.
Actually I checked and you are right….it was film not time.
Either way he was right.
stop yelling Kim!!!
Nandi is played out like Kenny,so who they gonna USE now?
They are reopening the St. George’s golf course, so what will Kim Swan have to talk about?
Yes! Kim has all my household members vote!
LMAO!!!!
PLP almost ruined Bermuda, and devastated St. Georges. The PLP is an outdated party void of any real talent and ideas. It should go the same route as the UBP and cease to exist. Bermuda needs an new party not this out of touch, no imagination, no creativity relics that are out of their depth and do not have the skill set to run this country properly. Rolling out Mr. Swan, a former leader of the United Bermuda Party as a candidate for the PLP is a prime example of no imagination and grasping at straws. We need new, young talent able to navigate in a modern world. I bet Mr. Swan does not support the new hotel, airport or any other initiative to breathe life into St. Georges. More hot air from a failed party.
UBP did not cease to exist, they just changed de name.
Put lipstick and a pretty dress on a pig and it will still find mud to waddle in.
LMAO
“Put lipstick and a pretty dress on a pig and it will still find mud to waddle in and post absolute crap on bernews”
ftfy
They only picked him because he knows everyone in St.Georges.
The PLP are beginning to look like the UBP!!!
Think everyone is catching the irony here!!!
Blessings abound.
The OBA IS the UBP, not looks like, is an actual fact.
Well at least the UBP made sure the country’s bank account was looking good while lining their own!!!
and everyone had a job or two or three if they wanted…..and Bermuda had less of debt than the interest alone thanks to the PLP
And de rest of de world suffered for P.L.P. too.
So tell us if the UBP was so great why they changed the name?
The PLP now has two ex-leaders of the UBP.
It’s a real alphabet soup PLP=UBP=BIU=BTUC
Some Man have a need to sample the other side.. before they come home.
And some men dont need to leave home.
Sorry PLP all the action is down de road where St Regis is ground breaking for the new hotel .Kim stick to interviewing the members of the opposition and their Visio. 2025 bahahaha.
LOL
Look at the sad little tent at Kim’s “crowning” compared to the ground breaking tent. Boy, the PLP have fallen big time since the days of splashing money everywhere. All those sponsors have left that ship.
This current Gov’t was given to you by us and will be take from you by us… Be prepared.
Anyone who has any real “skin in the game” in Bermuda will not vote PLP. By “skin in the game” I mean assets, such as houses, businesses and good jobs.
The politics of plunder….Bean was absolutely right on that score. That is what we will get with the PLP. All in the name of leveling the playing field, while the same guys (most of which are currently under investigation) are settling up to the trough and chucking people like you a little bone along the way to keep you supporting them.
@aceboy – So what are you saying? Only people that have assets, houses, businesses and good jobs matter in Bermuda? Cause that’s what you classify as having “skin in the game”…..Clearly you are ‘privileged’ with that sort of thinking! Damn ridiculous
You lot want to ‘level the playng field’ by taking away anything that anyone owns.
I didn’t say they don’t matter, just that those WITH skin in the game will not vote PLP.
Any party with supporters who talk about revolution and who vote purely because they want to see a black centric party in power is not going to get any support from those who have assets to lose.
They might get support from those without, because they are hoping beyond hope that the PLP will perform some sort of Robin Hood function, take from those with and give to those without.
Sound good to you? Have a look at ANY country that had that sort of leadership and see what happened. Read the COI report. According to one of the individuals being questioned rules were bent to level the playing field. You don’t seem to think that field is level at all. 14 years of leveling and yet the gradient is still steep. How can that be?
“This current Gov’t was given to you by us and will be take from you by us… Be prepared.”
LOL, you are delusional! but hilarious
Different audiences, to be fair.
Let’s crush it Kim!
It was flip flop Furbert, what good alliteration is there with Swan?
Seesaw Swan?
This is probably the first seat that the PLP had targeted to swing it back to their side, what with the previous election seeing it go to a newcomer to the political sphere, and at the same time both the PLP candidate and Mr. Swan pulling a good quantity of votes.
It was just a matter of choosing which of the previous candidates, Ms. Ming or Mr. Swan, would get the shot at #2. He has to be the favourite to win this seat in the next election.
I don’t understand – not trying to be critical but when he talked about reopening the golf course and restoring economic success to St. George’s – what does he mean? What is he planning that isn’t being or been done by the OBA or what’s his how?
His PLP handlers are planning on taking credit for the OBA’s success.
The OBA Shoved a hotel onto a Beach that should have made every ‘real’ Bermudian cridge, for the sake of what? A Horrible Airport deal, shoved down the throats of Bermudians for ?? My eyes have BEEN open.
With the state that the PLP left what else can the OBA do to stimulate the economy.
“The OBA Shoved a hotel onto a Beach that should have made every ‘real’ Bermudian cridge, for the sake of what?”
They shoved the hotel into the spot that the plp picked, but didn’t have the intelligence to see through to completion…so the oba had to do it for you, just like everything else the plp destroyed.
Ha ha ha ha. Too funny.
Well who is Kim representing …UBP?? independent?? or PLP?? As I see it, its all just for personal gain.
I and my family simply cannot vote for him this time as the OBA have done so much for St Georges. May have been off to a slow start but now they are flying. Keep it up OBA and you will get my vote
I agree this is all personal gain. When he was with the UBP he was very vocal against the PLP policies. Those haven’t changed so how can he justify running for them now? I used have respect for Kim as a politician as he seemed to really care about the country. I lost a lot of that when he joined this party. I now have no respect for him whatsoever. Shame on you Kim. Shame.
But isn’t that the usual trend for the Bermuda voting public – party over person? As soon as a politician ‘changes sides’, they’re getting labels never considered when on their original ‘team’?
Mediocre candidate paired with a weak leader. Guess the OBA will be winning again.
Some people really have no clue about St. George’s voters
Educate us Famoussss. Oh right, I forgot – you don’t do facts.
I refuse to vote for Nandi Outerbridge . The OBA need to find some one better. We have not seen or heard from her since she was elected.
If Kim Swan was running as an Independent I would vote for him but never as a PLP candidate as they will surely ruin this country .
I agree MIA will NEVER get my vote. Kim as Independent yes, PLP or OBA No.
Come on Wendell. We ll all vote for you man. Ex Cup Match skipper. Good commentator, well loved, good ideas, great principle. Loves St G. Born n bread would run circles around these clowns. Question is will he run!! For OBA
You mean will he take the UBP/OBA bait to be used like the others before him.
Raised fists. Charming. Lets see who is outraged over that.
Why would a symbol of solidarity bring outrage?
“The raised fist, or the clenched fist, is a symbol of solidarity and support. It is also used as a salute to express unity, strength, defiance, or resistance. The salute dates back to ancient Assyria as a symbol of resistance in the face of violence.”
Raised fist – Wikipedia
It scares people like Triangle Drifter…. you know.
Sure it does. You lot dont scare anyone lmao.
There seems to be a section of the community that associates the gesture with a threat of violence or something, but there’s not much explanation behind it.
Number two as the people begin the liberation of their country starting from the East.
Love it!!
Didn’t he even read or practice his speech before going on camera? Just awful delivery.
Kim Swan if the UBP faithful didn’t decide to give it up and go with the OBA and leave you as leader of party with no following would you be wearing green. something inside tells me no.I do worry Kim whether this really is about Bermuda or your attempt at vengeance at those who left you. Strange things motivate people and in your case many come to mind. I know you now live in St. George’s but you will always be from the West and still today i don’t feel that what connects you to St. George’s
The PLP have never worked hard for the people of St. George’s i hope that if they regain power and i really don’t want that, but if,i hope that there are enough individuals who really truly want all of Bermuda to be successful. Because as it is well and clearly written in the history books the last PLP leadership had completely different ideas.
Wow, I thought Alvin Williams was the king of gibberish that made no sense. You may have taken his crown with that tirade of nothingness!
Way to go, Kim Swan.
You will win your constituency and so will Renee Ming.
Mr Swan is a great person and reminds me of Kenny Bascome to a certain agree. Lots of heart. However I am puzzled at how he could aupport the PLP in St Georges as he was party of tge party that decided to shut down his place of employment…the St Georges Golf Club. Takes some guts to face the same people that promises of great things were made too last time , but instead what they got was no cruise ships. closed hotel closed golf course , closed police and fire stations. whats is going to promise the voters? A new hotel Golf Course , cruise ships, casino and jobs? that is finally happening. i think he is being used as a pawn with tge hooes that his past relationship with the UBP might sway a few people to cross over.sad really. he and hia wife are aweaome ans kind people being used and they dont see it.
Kim Swan reminded me of Trump! A lot of screaming doesn’t make you credible. He sounded ridiculous. No frigging thanks.
ooooohhhhhh ao mr Dunkerly dropped an f bomb and you have a huge problem but u dont have a problem with Marc Beans comments to Nhandi? Hmmmm. Double standards?
Same tired looking lot. C’mon plp show new people. How can we take you serious.
Oh lawd the PLP starting to look like the UBP
There are more UBP’s in the OBA
Yeah but in the right place moving us out of the PLP recession
Yeah why is he shouting!? I listened to MP Nandi today and sorry Kim but she would get my vote… I prefer results and I don’t take kindly to being shouted at…
He always “speaks up” when giving speeches, that’s nothing new
I swear he thinks he is MLK. What with his Shoutin at a microphone and carrying on like a TV preacher
Wishing both Renee Ming and Kim Swan well as they attempt to gain the majority of votes for the PLP in St George’s 1&2 Voters please do not get side tracked by the announcements over the past few days the OBA have released via their press / media. We must remain focused, that is how they try to get us every time, then as soon as the election is over they go back to their same old tricks
When these two candidates WIN their seats, they have the wherewithal to produce and carry out their duties for you, St George and the country! Bermuda for Bermudians.
I hope Burt has money in the fantasy budget for a new golf course.
I guess the PLP’s environmental policy is to recycle old UBP politicians
FLIP FLOP FURBERT AND SEESAW SWAN. I’m loving it.
Don’t forget Switch Sides Simmons.
Summer is coming
I need flip flops but not sure of the party colour
Kim u have 3 votes from my household !
OBA moving forward PLP moving backwards with the old UBP ,stop the world we wanna get off who thinks this stuff up ?
Well done PLP, Kim Swan is the best thing for St.Georges. It will be a land slide victory. Now we got to get Kenny’s seat too. That will be a bit harder, not because he has any real use. Just because his mouth runs steady. St.Georges people hear me out, you were hurt in the last PLP era, we get that. You got nothing out of Kenny or Nandi. Do you really think Kim Will leave you stranded? This man stayed to the UBP wicket until they pulled stumps. Dedication is the best word to discribe Mr. Kim Swan. PLP ALL THE WAY! ALL THE WAY, PLP!
More promises promises sigh
Hi Oba/ubp paid trolls, it won’t work this time. Once bitten, twice shy. You are in quite a pickle down east. Nobody even wants to see Kenny come out of St.Georges, so you can’t run the old true flip flop politician anywhere else. He has broken records. He has been Ubp, independent and oba. Well PLP didn’t want him and never will. Shift eyes and can’t be trusted. Nandi definitely can’t run anywhere else, safe seats are reserved for the elite oba politricians, i mean we do need an opposition. They put you up against Kim, lol. In oba language, that means good bye and thanks. Just think Kenny is more valuable, now that’s funny. I’m truly enjoying this, please call a snap election, please, pretty please. Lol lol