PLP Statement On ‘Rumored Protest Scheduled’
“The rumored protest scheduled for this Friday, in opposition to our internal leadership election results, is misguided, and misdirected and will not serve to change the outcome,” the PLP said this evening [Oct 23].
A PLP spokesperson said, “Everyone has a right to prefer one candidate over another, that is the beauty of our democracy, but should the results not end in favour of your preferred candidate it can be dangerous and divisive to undermine the democratic process through which a leader or representative is elected.
“The democratic process in the recent PLP leadership election was carried out in line with the party’s constitution and Westminster system of government that Bermuda abides by.
“Under a Westminster system, the leader of a political party elected during a general election assumes the role of leader of the government. The election of a leader of the Progressive Labour Party is an internal process defined in its constitution; which takes place every four years..
“In the PLP, delegates are members who represent the interests and wishes of all 36 constituencies across the island. They are selected on a proportional basis from all the branches, and these delegates represent the views of their branch members. They are joined in this vote by the elected members of the House of Assembly.
“In our election on Thursday night, 97 delegates voted in support of Premier Burt, and 56 in support of MP Curtis Dickinson. Interestingly enough, in 2016, in the most recent leadership election for the PLP, David Burt defeated Dennis Lister 39 votes to 35 votes. The margin was much smaller, and the participation much less, yet the legitimacy of the outcome was never questioned.
“All candidates vying for office respect our internal process, its outcomes and the wishes of the delegates. MP Curtis Dickinson has made it clear that he does not support the rumoured action that aims to further incite discord related to the PLP leadership election.
“On Thursday night MP Dickinson said, ‘We had a contest, the delegates have spoken, it’s time for us to come together and get back to work; and I am committed to the PLP as I was before I started this journey. PLP all the way going forward.”
“On Saturday MP Dickinson released a statement disassociating himself from those organizing a protest stating, ‘It has come to my attention that there are a number of calls for a march on Parliament. While I respect the right of the people to protest, I wish to make it abundantly clear I am not involved in any way with the proposed march. Nor do I support any efforts to overturn the decision of the delegates. The internal election has been held and the delegates of the Progressive Labour Party have made their decision.”
Party Leader David Burt added, “Now that the internal election process is over the Progressive Labour Party will come together to deliver for the electorate who voted for us both in 2017 and 2020.
“While I acknowledge that persons who do not support me may not be happy with the result, it is unfortunate that a small minority will try to continue to meddle in our internal democratic processes and attempt to sow division in our party. If persons are members and wish to see a change to how we hold our internal processes, the PLP is a party that welcomes dialogue and feedback from those persons and all members as has always been our way.
“The public voted overwhelmingly for a PLP government in 2017, and 2020 and will have their chance to vote again before February, 2026. The PLP are committed to keeping the promises it made to the electorate in its 2020 election platform, and are fully committed to rebuilding Bermuda with Bermudians at heart.”
Well it appears to me that a small Minority support Burt as Premier. Young, old, Black, White, male, female, from Somerset to St. George’s, fem the cashier at Marketplace, to the Executive to the carpenter; I haven’t encountered one person who wanted Burt to remain. Everyone I know and definitely the young people, wanted a change. Curtis seemed to appeal to folks in every political party. 97 people wanted Burt, I can’t find another.
The PLP really is in panic mode. Nearly half the delegates did not support Burt. C33 is calling on the public for help because of the disastrous economic situation. A past PLP premier has spoken out against Burt.
30 – 6 is only around 33% of the registered voters, nowhere close to voting overwhelmingly yet the PLP continue with this lie. If they can’t understand basic maths and stats no wonder Bermuda is in its current dire situation.
Maybe the protest is against the PLP as a whole, not just the leadership results or don’t they understand this either? After all, the PLP is now the status quo, which they themselves have said needs to be challenged.
What’s funny about everything going on is that Curtis will be leader next election. The same people that are bashing Burt will bash Curtis next. What’s even more funnier is that with everything going on the pathetic oba is a chicken party who’s afraid to cross the street. Do they even have 36 candidates yet if we have another snap election hmmm?
Egomeir such a man still crying.
Worst premier ever, but not sure whose worse your or the fof and disgraceful ministers that support you.
Oh so the truth really really hurts. Mr Comrade arrogance and his lemmings finally feel a considerable amount of pressure and dissent with the almighty. Exactly the supposed votes showed rather significant dissent. And a former leader even needs to speak at Burts autocratic style. Better stop listening to the Dr. March any way show him and his lemmings that all IS NOT WELL.
Are the plp really talking about democracy? Remember there numerous attempts to thwart democracy?!? Remember that nonsensical protest they brought to stop our democracy?!?! This is truly trump land junior down here. Incredible. When will we be free of these politicians and their decisive tactics?
The delegates were SUPPOSED to vote according to what their constituents wanted.
CLEARLY THEY DID NOT.
The system does not represent the people.
Facts 100:
It is the small minority who support the premier.
The delegates did not vote on behalf of their branch members.
Not that they have to, but the delegates definitely did not vote on behalf of their constituency nor the general public.
Dickson again proves what a proper person he is. Too good for politricks.
Remind us: which was the party who rigged things and then said “We had to deceive you”?
SHAME on the 97 members who undermined the democratic process when they did NOT represent the people they were elected to serve when they voted to keep Back-Door-Burt in power. As long as they continue to misrepresent the people and their will, the people will continue to protest!
Premier Burt…. who most likely orchestrated those 3 marches to obtain power by any means possible, gunna get a taste of his own medicine.
If your the Government, get off the lounge chair and do the peoples business! I keep hearing people on the street
And on the bus, how sick they are of this Government and it’s excuses. Too much blame, inaction, wasting tax payer money. Heavy bus cancelations continue. Tynes Bay trash facility is full of rats , broken lights, filthy and horrid to go into. Walls are banged up. Government can’t keep up fixing it’s fleet of trucks. Many trucks always down. Then money wasted contracting work out.
And keep your dangling carrot of $100. I am not applying as much as I could use the that pocket change. Complete bribery to to try to keep the public held hostage to their incompetence. What a slap in the face. Private companies are much more respectful than this bloated, elephant Government.
We all know the system is corrupt. But unless they are a members of their (the delegates) club there isn’t much the protesters can do about it. It just so happens to be that the leader of the PLP is the leader of the country. Those delegates obviously have their heads in the sand. I hope they realize they have just put another nail in the PLP coffin come the next general election.