Video: Interview With Former MP John Barritt
Former MP John Barritt is considering running as an Independent candidate in the upcoming General Election he confirmed today during our latest live interview.
Speaking with guest interviewer Jeremy Deacon, Mr Barritt sat down with Bernews for a live interview on our Facebook page, discussing a wide range of topics including the Commission of Inquiry, politics in general, the possibility he may run as an Independent, and the upcoming election — which he said he thinks will be close.
“There have been a number of people who have been talking about running as Independents. I have been approached, I’ll get that down on the table right now. And I have been considering it,” Mr Barritt told Bernews.
“I have been out in my former constituency asking people what they think of current policies and about the possibility of myself running as an Independent. I have been out there asking people to assess people’s moods, and to see what they think.”
Mr Barritt previously represented Devonshire South Central, and resigned his seat back in 2011, with the seat taken over by Craig Cannonier, who the OBA has confirmed will be their candidate again this election.
The 48-minute live video replay is below:
When asked how tempted is he to stand as an Independent, Mr Barritt told Bernews, “Very”, adding that he is still working through it and considering whether it’s a viable way to go and the “best way to go.”
“I am still assessing,” he said, adding that “time is against an Independent now because the election has been called,” explaining that takes some effort to be able to visit and talk with everyone in the constituency.
If you want to listen ‘on the go’, you can also access the audio only version of this interview, and all our past interviews, in the podcast section of the Bernews app.
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does politics need a John Barritt? Hell yeah!
I agree!!
No question,
Got my vote.
If Craig cannionaie was not part of the oba there is no way he would be voted in he is not worth his seat he has done nothing for this area
An O.B.A. mole
Oh please run in your old seat against Cannonier!
JOHN BARRITT FOR PREMIER!!!!!!
Would make a great premiere
YES!
Mr. Barritt has the respect of lots of people who are fed up with the current political climate and caliber of candidates. I think he would be pleasantly surprised with the response as many are disillusioned with both parties.
Who supported anti-Bermudian policies.
The PLP. Their failed handling of the economy proves it.
Don’t be fooled, these posters so far are only faking support because it would split the OBA vote.
Correct. I am a huge John Barritt fan, the guy is a good, clear thinker. If we had another 35 like him I would be supportive of independents also. As it stands you have to vote party because the alternative is not acceptable.
nobody falling for it
Many will welcome a dilution of the OBA vote in this constituency. John you have just sealed a PLP win in this area. Well thought out John…
Rubbish. The PLP got 12% of the vote in the last election making the seat one of the safest seats in Bermuda. One Independent candidate won’t change that. Stop the nonsense.
And my people are de only people that swing vote.
Stop making it sound like 9% of anything is a huge amount .
Who are your people?
this looks like a plan to get rid of the gas station guy think
about it the people in Devonshire south were forced to take him
and now they have a choice the gas station guy or the guy they had before
Don’t you see the move? Goodbye Craig.Barrit will be speaker. Cannoniere will then tell all. Somebody better be there with a muzzle for cannonier.
Great to hear Mr. Barritt is considering continuing to serve Bermuda in the capacity as an independent member.
We need more independent candidates who are willing to move beyond polarizing party politics and focus on what is best for Bermuda in a passionate, engaging and inclusive manner. His willingness to transform Governance in Bermuda is very encouraging.
He would certainly make a great Premier, Speaker or our first home grown Governor.
This is the best news I have heard yet regarding this election, besides Thad Hollis, Here’s wishing you all the best Mr. Barritt. People who do the job for the people and not what they can get out of it for themselves!
If there was enough time to mobilise independent candidates in every constituency, we could have had a change not only in Government but in political parties – think of it, a bunch of independent thinkers running our country for the betterment of its citizens and not using the race card, friends and family plans or threatening to introduce discrimination into our Human Rights Act. Unfortunately there is not enough time for this movement to get its act together so whatever independents run they are going to split the vote. An opportunity missed me thinks.
Independent candidates don’t run as a group or movement?
There is plenty of time for those civic minded individuals to register for the ballot. If I see independent next to a name on my ballot I am choosing that name because i know what I am getting with party candidates and anyone else is better. I don’t even care if they show up for parliament in a clown suit, at least they would be honest compared to the other jokers.
Heck yes!
I wish an independent was running in my constituency. I think Bermudians are sick and tired of party politricks and want real representatives. If there were more independent MPs in the house then both parties would be forced to work for the greater mass instead of pushing through legislation based on the party whip.
agreed 100%.
Good luck John.
Plz run. U hv my vote.
Just run for the OBA and make yourself useful Mr Barritt instead of wasting votes. Your leanings are toward the OBA and not the PLP….
John said thanks for informing him on which direction to go and where his leanings are, he forgot and is now on the right track thanks to your advice.
My pleasure……
The end of the herd mentality; an interesting prospect.
If they were, he would join the party. Stop with the nonsense!
John, Will you and Paula be on the same ticket ?
If John ran as an independent he would probably do as well as Kim Swan did last election which would mean that neither party is able to take the people for granted. In any that case the vote would be close maybe an even 3 way split. He might even win!
John, we are OBA supporters in District 12 who refuse to vote for Cannonier based on his past ethics or rather seemingly lack thereof as well as the fact he’s done nothing about the Botanical Gardens and the plan put a maintenance yard there. I can tell you right now that there are a lot of us in the area who feel that it was a mistake to run him as the candidate for this area. So yes please do run as an independent, we need you.
I thought it was just me who has no choice but to spoil their ballot.
I can’t vote to go back to the incompetence of the plp and I can’t vote for someone who (allegedly) accepts things for favours.
Please run Mr. Barritt so that I don’t have to spoil my ballot in protest.
So he is running in C10..
Oops that wouldn’t benefit the OBA..oba is.runing IND on PLP strong or marginal constituencies..to hoodwinked black voters once again..
Fool me once shame on you,fool me twice,you know the rest..
Good luck Betty.
This is shaping up to be a tough election for the voters. We howled for choices. Well, now we have them. The only problem is that we can wind up with a choice of two good candidates & an idiot. Would love to see more easy choices where there are 2 weak party choices & a strong independent. I am afraid that there is a strong risk of the idiot getting voted in because the vote is split between the strong candidates & the idiots turn out to be the voters.
two bermudas is alive and well, you are puzzled and very disrespectful too
This man is the biggest hand wringing flip flopper in Bermuda. He can’t make a decision on anything. If he thought he had such appeal he should run against Michael Weeks or Walter Roban! Instead he chases an old seat he used to run in. Sour grapes JB. Pathetic really to watch. Another old boy trying to stay relevant – he bowed out when he thought OBA would lose and now wants to try and bounce back in blaze of glory. Retire and stay retired.
why would he jump to a constituency that is relatively foreign to him as opposed to one where he’s familiar with? that’s like saying Kim Swan shouldnt run in C2 again or something.
Are we going down the same rabbit hole as Theresa May??? Coliation Government??
Proud of u Barritt. Let’s get rid of that ogre canonier. He’s a blasted disgrace. And that’s putting it politely.
If Barritt has stood last election when the island really needed him then I would of voted for him….but not now. Can’t pick and choose your time…now it looks like you just sulking
Us lot up hair in Vest Gate got it made.
Keep det roast beef cumin…..
In every instance, we need to find common ground. We have to stop sweeping every instance of loud shouting under the rug and start listening. If people are yelling about problems, we should be listening and trying to find common ground, not just pushing our own agenda. Bermuda is at a breaking point. We need to listen to each other!
Cannonier is not liked by his constituents. Damn idea to run him again in the same district
Whether running as an independent or not JB still has a great deal to offer Bermuda. As long as he stays interested and involved it’s to Bermuda’s benefit.
These comments are interesting.
Based on the last results for #12, OBA got 88% of votes and PLP 12%. Assuming a similar result for PLP in 2017, Barritt only needs 45% of votes to win. Given that he voluntarily gave up his seat to allow Cannonier to be OBA leader in 2011, it will be interesting to see if the voters will support Barritt over Cannonier in 2017!
Prediction – PLP 12% (110 votes), Cannonier 43% (395 votes), Barritt 45% (414 votes).
Not impossible!! – question is “can Barritt get 450 people to commit to supporting him on July 18th in the next 3 weeks”!!
Recommendation – Barritt run as independent.
Agreed. John Barritt is very well respected in this area and with good reason. He was always there for his constituents.
Totally honest and never waivered. We need many more John Barritt’s and Thad Hollis’ on this Island.
Good Luck John.
Hope he stays this time, Bermuda needs him.