PLP Announce Vance Campbell As Candidate

[Updated] The PLP announced that Senator Vance Campbell will be their candidate for the upcoming by-election in Constituency #9 Smith’s West. 

Senator Campbell will match up against the Vic Ball, who the OBA previously announced will run in the by-election.

The by-election has been prompted by the resignation of OBA MP Trevor Moniz, who was elected to the House of Assembly 27 years ago, with the veteran MP announcing on August 3rd that he will be retiring from politics.

Mr Moniz has won the seat with 56% to 66% of the vote since the single seat system was started. In the 2017 election, Mr Moniz won 57.14% [540 votes] against the PLP’s Vance Campbell who received 42.86% [405 votes], and in the 2012 election, Mr Moniz won 66.18% [595 votes] of the vote against the PLP’s Vance Campbell who received 33.82% [304 votes].

In the 2007 General Election Mr Moniz [under the UBP] won 58.63% of the vote vs the PLP’s Larry Mussenden [506-357], and in the 2003 General Election, Mr Moniz won with 56.39% of the vote against the PLP’s Scott Simmons who received 43.61%.

The press conference has just concluded, and we will update with more information as able.

Update: Premier David Burt’s remarks:

Over the weekend, the Progressive Labour Party had the opportunity to canvass the residents of Smith’s West, Constituency #9. We were encouraged by the overwhelmingly positive response. Over the last few decades, Smith’s West has been neglected by a missing in action Member of Parliament who rarely canvassed the constituency and met with voters. From all indications, even if he did canvass, the resigned Member of Parliament did not canvass all voters, but, only perhaps a select few.

But, we’re not here to focus on the past, we’re here to focus on the future. In these trying and difficult times, your PLP Team is capably and steadily seeing us through. And now, while still ensuring the safety and health of the community, we are focused on our economic recovery. A person that would be incredibly valuable in helping us see Bermuda through that economic recovery is none other than our candidate for #9, Vance Campbell.

Vance’s credentials are impeccable. Vance is a Certified Public Accountant and works currently as the CEO of a major hardware store. He is a past chairperson of the Consumer Affairs Board and Deputy Chair of Bermuda Housing Trust. Vance is also past VP of the Foster Parents Association, Chairperson of Young Life Bermuda, and is currently the President of Young Men’s Social Club and a member of the Bermuda Hospital Board. As you can see Vance’s connections to the community run the spectrum and he is committed to serving his community in various forms.

Tough times lie ahead. The post COVID economy will require capable and steady leadership – leadership that cares for Bermudians, is focused on ably managing the coronavirus pandemic and our economic recovery, providing affordable health care, and making sure that every child has a quality education. We need strong leadership, solid plans for the future, and vision to see us through to better times. I strongly believe that electing Vance Campbell in Smith’s West is the best voice. He has built relationships with the residents of Smiths West and in the 2017 general election narrowed the gap. I am proud to have Vance Campbell standing for the PLP in #9 and look forward to his contributions to our island’s recovery.

Senator Vance Campbell’s remarks:

Good Afternoon Premier and Party Leader, the Hon. David Burt, JP, MP, Family, Friends, Party Members, Members of the Media and the Voters and Residents of Constituency #9, Smith’s West.

The next time the House of Assembly sits, for the first time in 27 years, the voters of Constituency #9 will be represented by a new face, a first time Member of Parliament. This new Member of Parliament will take their seat at a time when Bermuda is in the midst of fighting a pandemic caused by COVID-19. As a result of the necessary and effective measures that were and continue to be required to protect the health and wellbeing of all those who reside and work in Bermuda, untold damage has been done to our economy. The story is the same in most countries around the world. Like Bermuda, those countries wrestle with the delicate balance of protecting lives whilst keeping the economy open for business.

To the voters of Constituency #9, there has never been a time such as this, when you have had to go to the polls and cast your vote and choose the individual that will represent your interests in the House of Assembly. Never before has your choice been so critical. When you go behind that curtain to cast your vote, I am asking you to vote, not based on Party, but on which candidate and which leadership team is best equipped to meet the challenges that the Members of the House of Assembly will face in the months and years immediately before us.

To the voters of Smith’s West, I humbly offer to serve.

For the past three years, as a Senator and Junior Minister, I have worked tirelessly and effectively on behalf of the people of Bermuda. Our work in the Senate has resulted in the passage of a multitude of Bills designed to update antiquated laws, ensure our continued compliance with anti-money laundering and anti-terrorist financing regimes and to protect our Jurisdictional Reputation against ever evolving threats. As a result of the Bills passed in the Senate, Bermuda continues to be a premier jurisdiction for the Financial Services Sector. In addition, I have also served on the Joint Select Committee on Private Bills.

I am the Chief Executive Officer of S.A.L. Trading Limited. I am a member of and past Chairperson of the Consumer Affairs Board and a Trustee and Deputy Chairperson of the Bermuda Housing Trust. I am the current Chair of the Bermuda Progressive Labour Party’s Finance Committee. My tenure as the General Manager of the Bermuda Housing Corporation from 2003 – 2006 is a testament to my leadership skills and my ability to function well in a climate of extreme media scrutiny and intense public interest.

Through my involvement in community based organizations, I have had the opportunity to, directly and indirectly, positively affect the lives of many young people, families and seniors. I know the struggles and everyday challenges that they are confronted with. I am a past Vice President of the Foster Parents’ Association, a former Club Leader and Committee Member and past Chairperson with Young Life Bermuda, a former Executive Member of the Youth Committee of Young Men’s Social Club and the current President of the Club. I am also a member of the Executive Council of the Bermuda Football Association and have served as a member of the Bermuda Hospitals Board.

Earlier I stated that your next representative in the House of Assembly will enter that chamber as a first time Member of Parliament. I am well prepared for the responsibilities that come with that mantle. I have a wealth of experience, I am battle tested and I stand here ready, willing and able to represent all who reside in the Smith’s West community. I am committed to ensuring that your needs and concerns are communicated to the government and that the government takes action to address them. I believe that I will provide the representation that you expect and deserve.

The fact of the matter is that difficult times lie ahead. These times require capable and steady leadership – leadership that cares for Bermudians. As we look toward our economic recovery, we must rebuild Bermuda in a way that works for Bermudians. We need strong leadership with a heart for the people. We need affordable healthcare now. We need to phase out middle schools and make sure every child has a quality education. We need strong leadership with solid plans for the future and a vision to see us through to better times. It is in difficult times like these, we need leaders like David Burt and the PLP Team – leaders that put Bermudians first. I humbly offer myself as one of those leaders.

I am at your service and can be contacted by telephone at 535-0378.

Thank you.

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