Barritt Will Not Be Candidate In General Election
John Barritt has confirmed that he will not be a candidate in the upcoming election, adding that he remains committed to better governance for Bermuda.
In response to queries, Mr Barritt told Bernews, “I wish to confirm that I have decided not to offer myself as a candidate in the forthcoming election.
“It is with some reluctance that I make this decision having first floated that I might run; indeed I have spent some time canvassing and discussing a possible candidacy with voters, and as recently as this weekend.
“But I have to also be realistic. I regret that I left my candidacy too late. I had not anticipated an early election when I first started canvassing and I had a prior commitment which saw me fly out the day the election was called and was thus abroad for the first 12 days of the election campaign.
“I have been struggling to catch up ever since. This is because it has always been my practice and my goal to visit voters on their doorsteps, in their living rooms, and in their kitchens, to hear what they think and what they have to say before convincing them to vote for me. This time around it was even more important to have those conversations with voters when seeking their support as an independent candidate.
“But based on my canvassing to date, I have to accept that even with the best will in the world, it will not be possible to visit with literally hundreds of voters and there are well over 300 voters, who are new to the constituency and thus to me, due in large part to boundary changes that occurred to my former constituency of Devonshire South Central after I stepped down six years ago.
“I want to thank those with whom I have met, and to those particularly who have encouraged me, and in some instances pledged support, I trust that you will understand and accept my decision.
“But know this: I remain committed to electoral and parliamentary reform; in short, for better governance for Bermuda. I will continue to embrace opportunities to advance that cause and I will strive to do what I can to bridge the division and the divide that continues to beset our politics and our Bermuda.”
Well. Thanks for the distraction.
Yeah. That’s exactly what it was…a distraction and once again proves where his political loyalties lie. they say one thing but their actions say another. He would have been the tie breaker becoming the Speaker and or Premier. But now joins the long line or political spectators who just write nice articles like the ones we read all the time but are afraid to get their feet wet. again!. So it was a distraction.
Such a shame
We all know your a stand-up guy, sir.
No need for theatrics!
The One Bermuda Alliance is the team that’s going to bring Bermuda back.
Ya, make Bermuda Great again.
Sorry to hear this John I am sure that you would have been a leader in what most of Bermuda strives for.
He supported anti-Bermudian policies.
How so?
O J please explain and if you are unable to please STFU You are not even qualified to carry Mr. Barritt’s shoes.
John Barritt is light years ahead of the current crop of politicians.
It was only today that I was wishing that you were the candidate in my area. I so wanted you to be elected. My hope was that you and the other independents could have controlled the house. I don’t want to vote for either party. I wish that we could just vote for a Premier, you would win hands down. If Dunkley gets elected he’ll see it as a vote to do whatever he pleases, regardless of the consequences. If Burt gets in, who will really be in charge, not him. The electorate doesn’t really have an option. For the first time in 35 years, I don’t know if I’ll vote. All I can see is the negatives of both parties. Mr Barritt, this is sad news for the country.
I agree. There are many voters who just don’t want to vote at all in this election. I really had hoped that the independents would force a coalition government, one in which both sides would be forced to work TOGETHER. This is what Bermuda needs. Mr. Barritt, would you reconsider? It is not too late.
He should be the Speaker of the House.
No surprises there.
Onion that is false. JB is respected generally by Bermudiand of all walks of life, including a number of PLP Parliamentarians and former Parliamentarians. But keep trotting out your stock sound bites.
Smart move…better for him to OBA all the way vs. an Independent… his candidacy would have resulted in a dilution of the OBA vote – not the other way around. That is how polar this election cycle will be.
What a really decent thing to do. Great to see someone put his ego aside in order to do things correctly. Rare and refreshing.
My personal feeling is that with his many years of experience in the house, and the respect which he has garnered from members on both sides, that John Barritt would be an excellent choice for the Senate.
This is very sad news for Constituency 12 Devonshire South Central! Cannonier is NOT liked or respected there. John Barritt was the only hope for having a MP that represented the area and not his wallet
John’s too honest for the PLP, too indecisive for the OBA, but smart enough to not lose his deposit