General Election To Be Held On October 1, 2020
[Updated] The Premier has just announced that a General Election will be held on October 1st, 2020.
Premier David Burt today stated, “In accordance with the Bermuda Constitution the Governor has accepted my advice to hold a General Election on October 1st.
“The prospect of a series of bye-elections does not represent the best use of the public purse at this time but a General Election by which the people of Bermuda will safely cast their votes will allow us as a community to devote our efforts to the rebuilding of our economy and the creation of greater opportunity for Bermudians who have shown strength and commitment to each other during this challenging period.”
The Premier tweeted the letter below saying, “Earlier today I delivered this letter to His Excellency the Governor and he has accepted my advice to dissolve the Legislature in advance of a General Election to be held on October 1, 2020.”
The last General Election was held in July 2017, with the PLP winning 24-12.
The letter to the Governor:
Update 12.05pm: In a statement issued by the PLP, Premier and PLP Party Leader David Burt said, “With the government entering its fourth year, I had to make an important economic choice.
“Do we spend hundreds of thousands of dollars on 3, 4, 5 or more by-elections and then have to pay for a general election? Or, is it more financially prudent to just go ahead and call a general election and allow those MPs who wish to retire the opportunity to do so? I chose the option that saves Bermudian taxpayers money.
“I also thought about the 20 months of bickering that a series of by-elections would bring. Instead of subjecting Bermudians to months of division, I found it prudent to call a general election that would allow the government chosen by the people to focus squarely on our economic recovery and make tough choices.
“I chose to get on with it. The truth is, tough times lie ahead. And, the government needs the backing of the people to make the hard decisions today that will benefit all Bermudians in the long run.
“On October 1st, Bermudians will choose who they want to lead us through these trying times and the economic recovery.
“We ably led us through to the new normal and now we seek your support to rebuild the economy in a way that works for all Bermudians, and not just the rich and powerful who have always had it all.
“Bermuda and the world have changed since the last election. These times require capable, steady and proven leadership – leadership that cares for Bermudians, is focused on ably managing the coronavirus and our economic recovery, providing affordable health care, and phasing out middle schools. We need strong leadership, solid plans for the future, and vision to see us through to better times.
“It is in difficult times like these that we ask for your support, because we are working to keep our promises and we are working every day to put Bermudians like you first.
“The deadline to register to vote to participate in the election will be August 29th. Nomination day will be September 10th. Election Day will be Thursday, October 1st.”
Update 2.41pm: OBA Leader Craig Cannonier said, “After complaining about spending $30,000 on a by-election, the Premier now wants to spend over $1m on a general election.
“We are wasting $1m just as the Premier has asked hard working civil servants to take a pay cut and is threatening to make enforced cuts on workers who served this country on the Covid frontline.
“The number of active cases of Covid is now in double digits – the pandemic is not over. It seems the Premier is prepared to jeopardise people’s health by holding a general election just so that he can deflect from an economy that is dying on its feet.
“This is not a man who cares about the people.
“This is not necessary now. With more than two years left before an election has to be called and a 25-11 majority – do the job you are meant to do, fix the economy.
“This serves no-one’s benefit but the Premier’s. This is a man, who by his actions, has demonstrated that he is simply self-serving.”
Update 3.21pm: BNV Brief with Premier David Burt about the General Election announcement
Update 3.55pm: BNV Brief with OBA Leader Craig Cannonier about the General Election announcement
Update 4.38pm: A PLP spokesperson said, “The PLP have entered its 4th year in office. As a country we would have had to have a general election in a handful of months. With Mr. Cannonier’s announcement of multiple retirements from his party, we could either:
- 1] pay for 3, 4 or 5 by-elections and a general election soon after or we;
- 2] pay for a general election.
“The latter is what saves the Bermudian taxpayer money.
“It also saves Bermudians from bickering. We can have by-election after by-election and then a general election, or, we can just get on with it and have a general election.
“The fact of the matter is, Oppositions should want a general election. Oppositions should be prepared for a general election. The PLP would have loved a general election before the OBA had an opportunity to harm Bermudians with the bad airport deal, Morgan’s Point or the pepper spraying of seniors.
“This election is about leadership and it is clear that while the PLP offers strong leadership capable of calmly addressing the unexpected, stands firm in the face of adversity and does not lose its composure at the first sign of trouble.”
This will cost money, they could have had the election next year when the risks of Community transmission of COVID from going to vote had subsided,
Tells you much about the PLP Ministers and party and what they care about. Power and their personal gain. They haven’t achieved anything to help this island or us, it’s people.
Managing COVID 19 on this island was easy. Shut airport, shelter in place, Test aggressively, fine breaches. Elsewhere in the world not so easy with bordering countries massive populationS compared to police and available military resources
We were told they were aggressively testing near the beginning , but they were not as we didn’t have tests, breaches for the few resulted in fines, breaches by ministers at a party did not result in fines.
The reason October 1st has been chosen, an attempt to piggy back on Covid before it blows up numerically. The numbers will increase. Am fuming at the PLP putting people at risk in this calendar year by calling a Snap general election. All about them and their pockets. Wouldn’t put it past them to have the election and then return us to shelter in place not long after.
It may not increase because many people may not come out and vote. I don’t know who his advisor is because this is not a good idea. SMH!
Definately not a good idea for us Bermuda voters to be going into Botha and sharing same space and air and using marking equipment just used by others.
This is purely about getting power for longer to feed off all us Bermudian taxpayers. Funny how the commission of enquirer on land grab got moved by Burt to after the election. This was to be a huge propaganda piece by the PLP.
Are the PLP are hiding something that getting into power will protect them from. Why else would Burt put a nation in harms way for self gain.
You all sound like Russian trolls.
25-11
Always good to know that Onion Juice is happy for us Bermudians to risk getting coronavirus at voting booths. I can’t believe the arrogance of Burt, uneccessarily putting us all in harms way. The election could happen In 2021 or 22, when things are more under control with Corona virus and it is safer for us. Ask yourself, who is the election Really about, us Bermudians or Burt and Power?
The UBP/oba/Jetgate party hasn’t found many surrogates yet, they will be extremely mad. Lets see below how many of them hate election idea. They talk about integrity but they placed JetGate Craig back as leader after kicking him out.
Lol that’s right. Lets get the PLP/UBP party out! after all, all of the pLP are just old UBP members and leaders right? you are so right. thank you for saying this
That’s the problem with people like you. Instead of you trying to learn from the past and help us to understand why all those black families that voted for the UBP and OBA departed you continue to make the same mistake and try to WHITEWASH everything.
People like you are very reason the PLP will continue to win because the Trump is strong in you.
Excuse me but if you really look hard (i know it is difficult) you would be hard pressed to find any Bermudian that is supportive of Trump so drop that cr@p right now.
Rather than repeating your classic rant about jetgate perhaps you could tell us why you would rather have a plp government. Remember they had a jetgate also and I dare say it cost the taxpayers a lot. I am guessing you do not have any good reasons other than hatred of other people….but I will will check back in case you think of something.
Check back all you want but please don’t hold your breath. They all don’t have a clue about the real Jetgate, so effective is the racially divisive ’2 Bermudas’ politicking.
Thank the ocean I swim in. Getting bored of all the oba aka UBP paid bloggers. October 1, 2020 when the oba lose again will demonstrate to them without a doubt that we need a third party.
Agreed! This PLP/UBP government has got to go!
For 21 square miles, LMAO
They didn’t even test aggressively because they didn’t have the tests because they order them late and they had nothing. They were testing 40 people daily , that’s not aggressive it was all lies. Nobody paid attention, but he kept repeating aggressively so people believed.
Because Connonaire said more people will be stepping down, so instead of paying a $#!+ load of money for multiple by-elections, might as well kill 2 burds with one stone.
Get over it
“Because Connonaire said …”
Who is “Connonaire” OJ?
Given the economic pain that is inevitable for all on this island coupled with the Government’s inability to grow the economy (see 2019 GDP reports for last two quarters) it is smart (politically at least) to call an election.
However, the negative part is that this administration will be in power for another 5 years and still won’t have a clue to get us out of this doldrums. Btu at least they have slogans I guess.
This is a great opportunity to send the PLP a message Bermuda!
What message would you want to send? Your statement could be taken either way.
New Zealand has delayed their national election so they could deal with immediate Covid-19 issues and hopefully have a safer environment on polling day. October 1st is too soon / too early.
A politically astute move. The economy is only going to get worse and there is not an effective opposition. This will give the PLP another 5 years in power.
yup. 5 more years of nothing happening. luckily, other people do things while this government does nothing. True UBP/PLP party in power right now.
They won the last election in July 2017, they are 3 and a quarter years into their team, they have power for up to 5 years, WHY ARE THEY PUTTING US ALL AT RISK when they can call it next year? If they are performing as well as they hope to make you believe, then there is no need for an election so soon.This also gives the OBA very little time to prepare their election campaign Disgusted with the PLP unnecessarily putting us all at risk for their own personal gain. Arrogance knows no bounds with Burt,
Nailed it. So incredibly arrogant, seems to be going around.
YIKES, we have a better chance with the OBA for effective economic recovery but chances are, the PLP will get another term with more debt, new and higher taxes, rising health insurance costs, more finger pointing blame, more lack of accountability, more empty promises, more disorganization of public funds, more racial division, more fintech BS. In summary; more of the same. I don’t care much about charisma or who I know, am friends with or went to school with for my own self interests regarding politics. I care more about proven track records of getting things done for prosperity for everyone. Allowing me to get back some of my pension and taxes doesn’t mean squat, because it was my money to begin with of which I had worked very hard for.
“ I care more about proven track records of getting things done for prosperity for everyone”
You really formed your lips to make this statement? I assume insinuating the OBA being the alternative? Don’t make me laugh.
What a lazy excuse/rationale. Just admit it Premier, you know that if you don’t call it now the 2022 election would actually be a contest because your administration will oversee the largest economic decline that Bermuda has ever experienced. And that’s saying something as it was your Party that oversaw the largest economic and Govt finance decline in the mid-2000s. In other words you are avoiding the same mistake that former Premier Cox made in 2012.
You will definitely win Mr. Premier, but due to you and your team’s inability to grow the economy during the good times (ie prior to Covid) there is no way that you will be able to improve it during the crisis with the same team and strategy you have now.
So yes the PLP will win the 2020 election, but BDA and her people will lose if we go off your track record to date.
Good luck BDA.
YEAH !!! I get to move back to CANADA !!!!!
BYE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
You really don’t care about Bermuda and Bermudians do you Onion Juice. Are you an expat just posting to stir up emotions for kicks. Onion Juice the expat with a hatred of Bermudians and Bermuda. Us Bermudians must have really rattled your cage.
Sadly I think OJ is Bermudian perhaps descended from another island but he is ours. He has a government job and government education. He is unashamed of his narrow view and the plp want more like him.
Actually, I think he is on financial assistance and sits around picking his nose all day.
Why>
OUTRAGEOUSLY SELFISH ACT
Bermuda on its knees because of Covid and they do this.
I really hope the public sees through it and there is a massive backlash.
U hit the nail on the head…gives the OBA very little time to prepare. That’s how the PLP work.
That’s the problem with the OBA their never prepared. They failed to convince the black voters to return and that’s all they needed to do.
Despite their one term they DID start to turn the economy around and reduce the massive deficit but ‘the electorate’ who are always told how smart they are were foolishly sold on lies and racial division instead. Recall how only weeks after the last election all confidence in Bermuda plummeted in spite of economies everywhere else growing ? That’s NO coincidence !
Mind you , I can’t be cynical about such a move , Sir John did it in 1985 after all .
Unfortunately the only thing ‘this government’ can hang their hat on is the local covid situation and that’s not all it’s cracked up to be anyway as all they did was do what the experts told them they had to do. Unlike our neighbors to the west we have a compliant population who mostly (60%) adores this government so they willingly did what they were told to do. Had the OBA been in there would have been non stop howling about ‘rights’ and a dictatorship.
Otherwise there is no reason on God’s green earth to return them.
They know very well that a year after this election when the pain really starts hitting there’s little chance that they could spin their divisive ’2 Bermudas’ bs to win again . 5 more years to feed at the trough while Bermuda sinks once and for all .
Blah blah blah
OJ you really are totally brainwashed by the BS you are drip fed… have a little think for yourself once in a while. I think maybe you need to get off the island and see how the real world works . If it wasn’t for expats who you say “bye” to, your island would be on its knees already. These companies are here bringing in money from other countries to support your economy, they also take on qualified Bermudians … if they leave the island those jobs go too. Perhaps that is what you want? Be careful what you wish for and feel free to hand in that British passport at anytime.
Just as you positively refuse to acknowledge or talk about the REAL Jetgate you run away from the indisputable fact that mere weeks after the 2017 election everything economy wise here started tanking and it’s no coincidence.
And before you even think about going there , there’s NO WAY that 9000 white OBA voters could have done that on their own !
And the stampede to Fourth World status continues….
The Premier’s reasons for calling the election make no sense, but then that’s not surprising.The PLP is always in Opposition mode, electioneering and campaigning, more fun that governing.
This has all the signs of an arrogant elite holding onto power, with no plans or leadership. They are the status quo having been in power for 17 years. Austerity has not yet started, but clearly it will as the Premier has said things will get worse.
The OBA should be happy as they will not win and have to face the financial mess. The PLP could be in for surprises and lose marginal seats, although they will win and retain power.
Where’s your class David Burt?
Solely in the interests of the PLP, and not in Bermuda.
Bermuda First, eh? Joke.
Exactly. Thank you.
Ha. This is a pure 100% cynical move by Burt. He and everyone else (including the PLP die-hards) knows that Bermuda’s finances will be in complete and utter DISASTER MODE by the next Govt budget. He even said it on the radio two weeks ago – “The spring will be particularly difficult”. he knows full well that the next Govt budget will be horrid and the only way is to pass that burden onto Bermudians.
And the solution? Put on a General Election which will not only cost the Govt coffers even MORE money but it also puts the PLP in the clear to continue governing BEFORE the proverbial-you-know-what hits the fan next year. Why upset the populace going into 2022 (the next scheduled election) when they can extend their reign for another 5 years?
I’m not even registered to vote and I don’t even care to vote. I encourage those who feel the same to follow suit.
P.L.P Wins 26-10 October 1st 2020, That is not a prediction it’s a fact.
Don’t forget JETGATE WILL BE KICKED OUT AGAIN LOLOLOLOL Santucci.
JETGATE needs to start writing his sorry speech for the voters. The oba/UBP must be full blown desperate & crazy if they think anyone will vote for this guy.
It’s a prediction. If it was a fact, it would already exist.
If predictions are now facts in PLP land, then on October 2 David Burt will not be the leader of the PLP. Fact.
And in so doing, drives another nail into the coffin of all Bermudians.
FACT.
Vote for skin colour over policy, and you are doomed. Enjoy.
By at least 26-10. Possibly more.
This is a joke!! It is all about playing your cards to best suit your selves, and NOT what is in the BEST interest for Bermuda and our people. Can we all VOTE AGAINST THIS???? BAD BAD TIMING! Typical of self-centered arrogant “leaders”. We can’t afford this right now. Come on!!!!!!!!!! Why aren’t you focusing on getting our schools up and running as promised!! You have had MONTHS to prepare and all the private schools have no problems implementing all the highest standards and protocols and are ready to go. Come on PLP, you have GOT to do better.
What?! How selfish. We have a pandemic on our hands and this is called. I was never a PLP supporter but gave Burt the recognition he deserved as to how he handled covid but now I’m back to square one. Well if he is ok with thousands turning up to vote then there shouldn’t be any other event cancellations going forward, right?
Prediction: OBA gets 10 seats or less and the PLP ride in on David Burt’s popularity over his managing of the pandemic. He not only gets to sweep his own house with new faces he hand picks, but he throws the OBA further into an irrecoverable disarray.
Really, this election timing was predictable, giving DB a strong mandate for a further five years with little to no opposition. While Freddy was the last loved leader of the PLP, DB is definitely making a swathe to that title.
The question then really is about the next formidable opposition: will it arise from with8n the PLP following the likes of Caines, or will it come from a third party hither to unknown.
Time to get the popcorn!
Please tell me that we now have a process for absentee voting. It was highlighted as a critical missing piece at the last election so I feel sure that it would have been a priority at some point in the past 4 years.
Even by PLP standards, a pretty cynical move. Burt has all the political capital he needs to move Bermuda forward – he can make unpopular decisions, he can do the right thing even if his natural voting base disagrees.
The PLP remain the status quo, and will continue to be the status quo after the general election. The question is…will Burt and Dickinson have the ideas and balls to do the right the thing? Let’s be honest, those are the only two Ministers that matter. The rest are just fluff, window dressing, mouthpieces to rile the troops.
20 years of failure, incompetence, trampling of human rights, lies and an out of control Dept. of Immigration.
20 years of decline. And it’s the PLP that must own it.
If the PLP REALLY cared about us they should throw in the towel. They are clueless at economics, education, public relations. They have FAILED for 20 years! 20 years of FAILURE!!!! As a voter all I see is division and how they use race as their platform. Come on, we NEED solutions, not more committees. You will win 1000% respect if you just admit you don’t know what you’re doing. You might have the best intentions but zero capability of executing those intentions. And don’t get me wrong, I’m not an OBA supporter either. Truth is I have zero faith in both sides.
“As a voter all I see is division and how they use race as their platform.”
And seeing that it works like a charm on our ‘so smart and educated electorate’ it speaks volumes .
A sad mess we’re in , eh ?
But when race benefitted and still benefitting some for centuries, its ok!
LMAO
Serious question: Do we need to have a particular quorum for a general election to be valid?
I wonder because a lot of people are saying they are not voting. Neither party deserves my vote so I won’t be voting.
No quorum needed. Not voting is the same as choosing to have no say in the governance of your life. Voting is a privilege. It gives you the opportunity to contribute to choosing your government. To not vote is foolish.
The MP for my Constituency has not been seen since the election. Check the papers they are only seen in picture opportunities. In the mean time, our community on their non-lead is literally falling, growing, crumbling, rusting, deteriorating and negative times trying to contact them. Mant, many are saying “Don’t come to my door”. Seriously, Do not come to my door!!! So glad I did not vote for you.
This aopears to be a clear attmept to take advantage of the Covid crisis in the hope of a low turnout. We should not let them get away with it.