Marc Bean To Lead “Free Democratic Movement”
[Updated] A website has been launched for the ‘Free Democratic Movement,” calling for people to “vote for FDM for a better Bermuda.”
The website lists Marc Bean – as in the former leader of the PLP — as the ‘Movement Leader,’ while the Founding Members are listed as C. Eugene Dean, Kae Thomas-Palacio, Desmond Crockwell and Kyle Bridgewater.
Mr Bean served as a PLP Senator prior to being elected as a PLP MP in a by-election in 2010. He then served as Minister of Environment, Planning and Infrastructure Strategy while the PLP was the Government, and following the 2012 General Election, he remained an MP and served as the Leader of the Opposition before resigning in 2016.
“The Free Democratic Movement [FDM] was consummated on September 1, 2020, as a direct response to the loud cries from the people of Bermuda for genuine leadership, understanding and representation,” the website states.
Screenshot from the website:
The website states, “To enjoy a peaceful and prosperous Bermuda, each citizen has to be given the opportunity to achieve their full potential. FDM strives to create a nation built on upholding the rights of the people and empowering them to pursue their divine purpose. On election day, vote for FDM for a better Bermuda.”
The site contains one policy paper so far [PDF here] with the FDM saying “the first and central policy of the FDM is to focus on the development of Bermuda’s human capital via evolutionary educational reform.”
We have reached out to some of the individuals listed on the website seeking firm confirmation, however the website does appear to be legitimate, and it includes a video with comments from Marc Bean himself, as you can see below, with Mr Bean listing the FDM website address in the video.
A video posted on the website with comments from Marc Bean and Eugene Dean
The website also states, “On October 1, 2020, put your X beside FDM.” It does not, at this time, appear to list any election candidates yet, however the website has just launched, and you can visit the FDM website here for more information.
Update: The list of founding members has been updated, and now also includes Gavin Smith.
Photos of the founding members from the FDM website: Kyle Bridgewater, Gavin Smith, Desmond Crockwell, Kae Thomas-Palacio and Eugene Dean.
For comprehensive coverage of the 2020 Bermuda General Election and past elections, you can find more information and statistics on the links below.
- All: Our coverage of the 2020 General Election here
- Candidates: List of all the confirmed candidates here
- Constituencies: Data/past results of all 36 constituencies
- Timeline: Visual look at the 2020 election timeline here
- Official: The Government’s election website here
- Comprehensive: Our new BermudaElection.com website here
This will split the plp vote and give the OBA a win or lead to a better PLP government after they win.
It will definitely split the votes. It’s going to be very interesting! And sad because it’s many people that probably didn’t register or confirm they are registered due to the mistrust and hurt. And now seeing this wish they would’ve!
This will not split the votes a vote for Mark’s party is a vote for the OBA, black voters will do every possible so that when they wake up oct 2 the UBPobaers are not in charge. This will only cause the opposite effect and make the PLP stronger.
We both know that is nonsense. You’d like it to be true, but it isn’t.
These guys have a following, they are good guys. But there won’t be many OBA supporters changing.
Read again. A vote for them the FDM takes away votes from the pLP. Everyone on here knows the white voters in the OBA will not vote for either of those parties, if the black voters spit split FDM and PLP it divides us essentially making the OBA government stronger. In war times you allow your 2 greatest advisories to fight and when they are on their knees and weak you ride in a take the win. The best thing for the OBA is to donate money to the FDM so that they have a stronger party to take out the plp.
No it doesn’t make a vote for the OBA, The PLP have won the election already due to the short notice and little opportunity to prepare. I hope Bean gets a win, not going to change the 25 to 11, just be a 24 – 1-10.
Go Mr Bean !!!!!! I think he will be a breath of fresh air holding the PLP to account And exposing any nonsense in the house. It makes for a better governed country, so we all win.
Herbalist, there were a number of whites who voted for PLP. You only see colour but not the person. Wake up n move out..
Preach your foolishness to the UBP who change the name to OBA. Now their helping fund the Fdm/OBA to split the black votes. All the while the OBA supporters vote solid for their party. Want to bet Mark’s party receives a large number of donations from strangers that don’t even want his party to win. Great idea I hope he spends it on herb tea.
No, it’s actually Bill Gates who split the vote, so he can microchip you….you f’n idiot.
Always such a racist….you should try some other schtick for a change, you’re boring…and stuck in the 1950′s.
I’ll be voting FDM if they run in my area. You do realise since 2012 theres been 8 years of people coming of age to vote and 8 years of voters passing on. Drastically different mentalities between the generations I mention.
Which party will reverse the dividend tax or at least for those Bermudian owed Small business companies who employ 50 or less people?
I wish they had more time to organize and make a real impact during next election. I wish we had four parties with lots of candidates to choose from , s we could pick the best person for the job, instead of the best each party has to offer.
Now we have another party full of dreamers The circus has returned. OBA for the sake of Bermuda please save us.
Oh Snap, PLP! Now the ‘snap’ (the joke) is on you for calling this snap election in the middle of a pandemic.
This is getting interesting.
For starters; no landslide/25-11…
This is the real reason for the election. Couldn’t give them 2 more years to organize. Some impressive founders, now let’s see a diverse slate of candidates and I’ll be impressed. Honestly, I don’t want to vote for the PLP or the OBA.
I agree!! This will be a very interesting election. I was more on the not voting side.. but now I see some reall people that actually care about people I might change my mind!
I think lots of people are going to split their votes. Good for them…,
That might be closer to the mark !
The formation of the FDM didn’t happen overnight.
This is re-marc-able!
All I see is another plp and fdm party taking us to 4th World status. I would vote for jetgate over these jokers. Say what you want about him but his party is backed by many rich people who know what’s best for Bermuda. Neither the plp or fdm have diversity and all they appear to want to grow is a plant so we can sit around getting high.
Thanks for reminding me who backs the OBA. One more reason we wont vote for them.
It’s spelled REALLY. Now return to school and stop smoking what little intelligence is left. You have to be dumb or dumber to select the PLP or FDM.
After you all split the votes the OBA will win. So get ready for a better economy after the election.
Yes, I agree. I am certain that Premier Burt got wind of this and figured that an early election would stunt the new party’s growth, an extra 2 years definitely would have given them time to grow and develop. Can’t have that…
Well, FDM let’s see what you’ve got.
This IS the real reason for the snap election …
very interesting…
Impressed with this newer team….well done folks…. unfortunate that this snap election was called…burt was worried they would gain too much momentum… keep at it FDM…
With a roster of grassroots social activists like this anything is possible. We need more options so that no one can take the electorate for granted and get in the house and start acting like they were born there.
Did he release the recordings?
Fools’ errand! You will have to kiss the ring to play in the FDM! In the PLP you have to kiss the ring and be an Alpha. The PLP is an enduring Institution that will outlast all of the political parties in Bermuda. UBP failed because it was not built on a strong foundation and enduring beliefs. Love a good game!
Marc, Eugene, good luck. I am with you.
We patently need something else, the OBA have failed in opposition and the PLP have just failed…for 20+ years.
This is the best news all year. Good luck to you guys.
it’s about to go down now!
Look at the trickery from the UBP bloggers above. All of a sudden they are trying to convince the readers that they are voting FDM. The voting public is already talking LOL.
Lol at you. Are the PLP concerned by this, no, they will comfortably win. It would be nice to get Maarc back in the mix to hold them accountable. Hope they manage to get a win to do this, Better for all of us the more that question and push the accountability of govt.
I like Marc, I also very much liked his education revamp he has on his website. He is for two big money makers in Bermuda gambling and Mary Jane.
3 major election items: Gambling, Ganja and Independence…
My son whos voting for the first time sent me a whatsapp. Explaining if we vote for the FDM party wouldn’t that give a strong win for the OBA. I explained yes. His response was I’m standing strong for the PLP we can’t allow the OBA to sneak in the back door.
PLP is going down bigtime! Marc is back and he can run circles around Burt and his cronies! And Marc knows gaming hands down so who better to implement it?
Go FDM – go!!!!!
You sound very uneducated.
This is crazy, I wish you and Marc’s team would realize what is really going on. I will vote PLP all the way. I do not want to legalize Ganga. I Do Not Use it, and I Do not wish to smell it. I do not want it legal, especially if my neighbors will be allowed to smoke it outdoors. Let them smoke it in their house with the windows locked
“This is crazy,”
Yes, thank you for warning us about your stupid ideas…you are crazy.
That is complete hyperbole. No one even knows where the FDM is putting a candidate – if they even have 36 candidates. You’ll know on Thursday which is Nomination Day but to say it’s a vote split favouring the OBA is pure nonsense. Tell your son that.
Never under estimate Mark Bean. I actually hope his team forms the next opposition effectual kicking the OBA out. We all know that will not happen as much of white Bermuda will never vote for his team. So where do you think the votes would come from? The black vote. My friends and family will not spit votes to allow the OBA to rule us with arrogance ever again. Half off us didn’t even bother to vote last election. Now we all are voting strong for PLP.
One word: STFU!
There’s a significant, mostly black, “swing vote” that aren’t as tied to ‘PLP all the way as your family, so if they are convinced to go FDM instead of the established parties (or abstaining or spoiling) then you could get both your wishes to come true
If you think black voters will leave the PLP for the FDM which would allow the OBA to be the ruling party on October 1, 2020. You have lost the election already. All this will do is make a better PLP government because the obaUbpers are no competition.
Stop the BS, black voters either vote PLP or don’t vote OBAUBP= at all.
The numbers will tell.
The OBA did not rule by arrogance, the PLP made you think that. C’mon PLP closed a school, made kids have to travel to end of the island for classes. PLP slammed us with sugar tax, higher property tax, which increased rents. We are poorer under the PLP, much poorer. Guess what they didn’t take a pay cut, be pretended they had. PLP have ruled with arrogance , like a far right non Labour Party.
You can’t make an emotional accusation without looking at the reality of the situation. Airport was a good deal, still is, pathways to status was a good program, PLP are doing it,
Just because someone says they are arrogant or anti this or that doesn’t mean they are. Politicians want you to ignore reality and focus on their spin which suits And favors them and only them. Don’t be a voting muppet, think things through properly yourself.
You may be surprised. Many people aren’t happy with the OBA. I know for me, its FDM if theres one in my are or spoiling my ballot.
Who’s this many people you speak about In the OBA? The 4% black vote or 96% white vote? History has always revealed that it was the black vote that was the swing vote. White voters either vote UBP or jump OBA, only a select few ever vote PLP and when they did they never publicly admitted it.
So, you’re admitting that the majority of Bermudians are racist.
Wait, who am I speaking with? Paul’? Horse radish?
Anyway, voters never had a 3rd party option, so theres that.
Also how do you get the white vote when a party shows a clear disdain for them? You gonna call me a b!^%h to my face and then wonder why I don’t like you?
They did. Both with the NLP, and then with the UBP or OBA when all three were running.
Don’t buy into the third party scheme. You know I speak the truth. The best chance we have is for them to receive split votes from their supporters and we vote solid OBA for a better Bermuda.
Can you tell us why most of white Bermuda wouldn’t vote for this team ? After all , white people have been voting for black candidates since the first election so it can’t be anything to do with skin colour .
Tell your son that a plp vote will equal more debt and mismanagement of very scarce resources. Tell him that everything he has heard about oba is a pack and that prior to his birth this country was being very well managed and was less divided than it is now. Tell him to be careful who he gets his information.ation from also. Tell him to have a nice day also.
Have you ever ‘explained’ the amount of debt , thanks to the PLP , that he is saddled with ?
Of course not , it’s just a team sport to you with silly sloganeering.
Once he catches up, he’ll probably be yet another Bermudian who never returns home.
Congratulations, you raised a bigot.
Now I have a reason to actually vote.
a bunch dreamers
a vote for FDM is a vote for the OBA do not be fooled
Merge with OBA……..
No why don’t the oba merge under the FDM! That would be the best option for the OBA right now.
The OBA should dissolve asap and join force with Mark and let him lead . The enemy of my enemy is my friend. Micheal Dunkely join forces with the FDM and let’s do this. Let’s take out the PLP. This is the time to make real change in BERMUDA.
Michael Dunkely? NO!!!!!
That would be suicide for the FDM
The Milkman is a symbol of the biggest loss in election history!!!!
Why because he’s white like me. You know very well that JETGATE Cannonier as we all call him should not be in charge of the OBA. Everyone with half a brain knows he’s damage goods and the only thing we’re proving to the PLP is how desperate the party has become. I’m not voting if this is what it’s come to. I might as well vote PLP so they can clean up the mess.
Dunkley’s name is tarnished by the PLP mouthpieces because he’s a seasoned businessman and politician with no real controversy surrounding him. Craig as leader of the OBA may as well dig up the UBP grave and climb in with them. I feel if Dunk wants to stay in politics, he should sit back and groom the generation coming in. Voters are tired of these same old faces. I think with the arrival of the FDM on the playing field, the OBA will take a slaughtering this election. Unfortunate because I don’t like only having 2 options.
Next time you see Nandy Davis or whatever her name is ask her who put her up to wearing the wire tape when she recorded bro Mark. It wasn’t Craig a$$ wipe. You might want to check the milkman he’s not as nice as he appears. Now vote FDM and get out of the booth. Oh and thanks for the support.
Quite literally haven’t seen Nandi in about 15 years. If I were you, I’d be very careful about what you post with no evidence.
Awww the milkman got his feelings hurt by being called “not nice”? Wow I guess he can’t lead our country if he is that sensitive!
Ok, post what you like. Won’t be me going to court.
Hmmmm you need to join a circus as a clown since you lost your seat in the oba.
Party politics should be abolished in favor of the best individual for each constintuency. Most politicians are in it for a paycheck and privilege. The country is now completely economically wrecked. At this point we have nothing to lose so I would definitely welcome an alternative voting option I doubt that FDM will have enough candidates to make a serious impact but I completely agree that the education system is another prehistoric relic that needs to be scrapped and rebuilt. The problem with change is that it brings financial discomfort to those in power and that is why its generally strongly opposed. We need individuals who care about improving the lives of all people and the environment they live in and not just their own bank accounts.
Sorry Fdm I’m taking my chances with the oba. Mark proved in the past speeches….. I didn’t feel as we say THE LOVE from his tune.
Craig Cannonier needs to take his people or surrogates as people call them and leave the ObaUbpers for good. Join the FDM Mr. Cannonier and finally destroy the Ubpers.
They will have only 2 choices vote FDM or PLP. No more racist governments is a win for Bermuda and we can be a symbol of hope to the rest of the World.
I was at a BBQ two weeks ago and canvassed a few people on their thoughts on this election. The majority of the guests were black Bermudian 35 – 40 something professionals and I can tell you that NONE of them were enthused. They questioned why on Earth are we having an election at this time. One even said they were going to spoil their ballot.
I’m willing to wager that the turnout will be low.
You speak a bunch of lies because the majority of blk voters I know want to drive the final nails in the UBPoba coffin. FDM is the only advisory because it has the potential of splitting blk votes. I can promise that it will not work. Now finish my popcorn.
I can tell you myself and my family will be voting FDM and the worst case scenario is that we finally get a PLP government who is held accountable by the voters. I’ll stand right by your side as we lower the OBA into the grave because I’m tired of what we have now. Unfortunately for you, your team will actually have to step up its game instead of relying on the race card and a “sustained program of disinformation and criticism”.
Disinformation: false information which is intended to mislead, especially propaganda issued by a government organization to a rival power or the media.
You were lied to and you’re happy about it.
Vote FDM or PLP either way my people win. To bad for your ubpobaers.
Can you advise how anyone how your ‘people’ have ‘won’ under PLP governance again?
Is it a smaller economy? Is it the higher taxes? Or maybe the higher debt burden? How have your ‘people’ or anyone else for that matter ‘won?’
I would very much dislike being you.
Wonder if this new FDM party supports SSM. I recall Mr. Bean having a strong resistance to it. Craig and the other former oba leaders also didn’t want it. The PLP also stated it before the last election.
Who wants my gay vote? Mr. Bean care to respond I know your reading the bloggs.
His party is called FDM, first initial FREE not EQUAL so please stop talking about rainbows and leprechauns. Pretty sure the party doesn’t support SSM.
“His party is called FDM, first initial FREE not EQUAL so please stop talking about rainbows and leprechauns. Pretty sure the party doesn’t support SSM.”
wow…and you guys are proud of this?
Craig Cannonier, David Burt, Mark Bean, Micheal Dunkely and Jean Atherden …….all leaders of oba/plp/fdm did not support SSM. So yes Bermudians are proud of them.
LOL…so, you guys follow the OBA even while you deny it..
Read you post again, it makes Bermudians sound like scared little children.
This election is going to be interesting!! Slowly, but surely, the majority of voters will realize partisan politics has ruing Bermuda. Sir John (last Speaker of the House before 1968 election)was right, Party politics will divide Bermuda.
The 2020 General Election will be one where the PLP win as the majority party. The OBA and the FDM will use what gains they gain in 2020 to consolidate their base in time for the next general election. Still, I’ve ordered my popcorn and soda…. carrot sticks and dip (thinking about the sugar tax). The 2020 General Election promises to be very interesting- akin to a game of survivor. Enjoy everyone!!
…. carrot sticks and dip (thinking about the sugar tax)
Nothing escaped the trickle down of the sugar tax so don’t think you’re getting off with that .. lol
Very interesting? Yes, but Bermuda, and therefore the majority of Bermudians will be the losers.
It is completely unfortunate that the FDM doesn’t have more time to organize and canvas.
I am tired of folks confusing a good orator with someone who is a leader. I dont get confused with an accent and ability to speak with conviction. I see and hear otherwise. There’s alot of confident, hot air that comes out of Premier Burt’s mouth. He does not have the experience or depth to get us out of this mess. Idgaf how many private schools or boarding schools that he attended. We praise the PLP for their handling of COVID…. but the blueprint was already established throughout the WHO…so I ask the question… how do you give an A+ if the blueprint was already in place…. he can not get us out of this mess and that’s the plain facts.
I will not be voting for the PLP even tho they will still win the election.
I can not support the PLP through another election. I simply can’t.
Oh the PLP will surely win. I just wish people knew what financial heartache that is barreling down on us by next years Govt budget. Forget about Burt’s handling of the virus. That won’t make a difference when we are all TAXED to death next year to make up for the shortfalls of this year. The PLP will come up with ideas that will be much too little and much too late.
Sadly, it will only be about race.
Bean and Burt are cut from the same green cloth. Don’t buy into this FDM party you’re being manipulated. Please vote OBA. Having this party will help us win.
Bermudians, who support both parties, are willing to discriminate against the LGBT community, for no other reason other than they think it’s ‘icky’.
A society willing to codify their hatred is an immature society.
Grow up. Currently, the rest of the 1st world look at you with disgust.
Not a good thing, but much of the “first world” codifies their hatred, hypocrisy and bias of people who use a beneficial plant and many right thinking people look at them with disgust.
SSM will go through whether the government of the day likes it or not. Its unconstitutional otherwise.
I have 25 in my family who can vote. So that is going to vote FDM party.
Good Luck to ALL of you
Everyone who is reading this knows this is a fat check lie. The voters are only voting OBA and PLP. Know one in their right mind will vote for any new FDM dreamers party during this COVID pandemic now take that “2 cent lick” back to the drawing board.
We got 20 Portuguese family members and their grown kids (50+) who are all going with FDM!! Time for important change to the PLP course!! Go FDM!!!