PLP Deputy Leader On New Opposition Leader

August 11, 2023 | 11 Comments

Noting that Jarion Richardson  is ”the 5th Opposition [OBA] Leader since their 2017 loss.” PLP Deputy Party Leader Walter Roban said that the PLP “will carefully observe the latest leadership that has emerged for the Opposition.”

This follows after Mr Richardson was officially sworn in as the new Leader of the Opposition after Cole Simons announced his “retirement from the position of Leader of the Opposition and as a Member of Parliament, after 25 years of dedicated parliamentary service to Bermuda.”

PLP Deputy Party Leader Walter Roban said, “Bermuda saw Mr. Jarion Richardson sworn in as the Opposition Leader. No one is quite sure if this will be a short term or long term appointment, as the OBA has only stated that their party leadership will be determined after the Smith’s South bye-election. The OBA since being established, has not always followed their constitutional rules for leadership selection so let us see what comes next.

“While he is the Opposition Leader, we will assume he is also the OBA Leader. As the 5th Opposition [OBA] Leader since their 2017 loss, he follows in the footsteps of Patricia Gordon-Pamplin, Jeanne Atherden, Craig Cannonier, and Cole Simons. The OBA faithful must surely be praying that Mr. Richardson, if still the leader after the bye-election, won’t suffer the same fate as his most recent predecessors. Five OBA Leaders in 6 years!

“Mr. Richardson spoke through numerous clichés and platitudes; a fine OBA leadership tradition. This certainly appeared to be an election speech, but it was remarkably short of substance. The new Opposition Leader failed to share his stances on the most important issues…Education Reform, Immigration, Housing, Hotel Development, International Business, and Constitutional Reform.

“Equally as important, Jarion Richardson failed to state where he stands on pivotal issues such as social and economic inequality; the same issues that previous OBA leaders refused to speak up about.

“So, exactly where does he stand on the issues that mean the most to Bermudians? It is apparent the OBA has no platform to speak of, no policies, and no plans to address the issues of the country. Maybe Mr. Richardson will address these deficits.

“It is very easy to give a coronation speech when your constituency seat and leadership seat has been handed to you on a silver platter. But what does Jarion Richardson actually stand for?

“What we, in the PLP know, is that governing a country is not about clichés and platitudes. It is about delivering on promises and initiatives that improve the lives of Bermudians.

“Mr. Richardson spoke negatively about politics being used to settle scores. It was not clear what he meant. Perhaps he’s reflecting on his own Party’s failures that built up the gross mistrust from the electorate towards them.

“Does Mr. Richardson, like his predecessors, believe that those that already have, should have even more? Or, does he accept that governments must provide pathways to upward mobility?

“Bermudians fully understand that the OBA has only 5 possible choices, including a number of failed leaders.

“Let us be clear, the PLP will always support providing opportunities for those that have been left behind by previous administrations and governments, both intentionally and arbitrarily.

“The Progressive Labour Party will carefully observe the latest leadership that has emerged for the Opposition. We look forward to less political gimmicks, having more constructive political dialogue and discourse that benefits the people of Bermuda, his opening remarks aside.”

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Comments (11)

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  1. trufth says:

    Ok, I get it, you needed to make a comment regarding this recent appointment but listen pal, you need to focus on the dumpster fire that is the PLP right now. Forget what those guys are doing. You need to get us out of this massive mess your party has created.

    Frankly, I think the PLP needs to stay in power until THEIR massive dumpster fire is put out. You guys made this mess, you guys should clean it up. It’s all yours! OWN IT! Never mind the other guys.

    • Wonderful idea says:

      We agree so you need to keep quiet and don’t vote for anyone representing the OBA. Let the candidates waste their precious time away from their families every week trying to take back control of government. It’s idiotic individuals like you that provide hope for future generations.

      • Wow says:

        Yeah hope, that’s all we got under this PLP government. Hope that our kids and future generations will be ok lmfao. Some people do hate on here against the PLP because of racism etc but to keep it real most of us non ridiculous bloggers just want to have a debt free future and great things for our island regardless of party BS

        • iyiyi says:

          Hopeless is the word , there was hope in the first 5 years of the PLP government .

  2. wondering says:

    This is the typical adversarial behaviour from a politician who, other than being an MP, has no major accomplishments to offer the Bermuda public except an uncanny ability to toe the party line with outdated and immature rhetoric.

  3. Mark says:

    Who is walter Roban?

  4. Pequat1639 says:

    How ironic that Deputy Leader Walter Roban attempts to criticize the IBA on these “So called” pivotal social issues that the PLP themselves have failed to address after over twenty years of governance.
    This is classic PLP PR gone wrong.
    MO Roban, you would do well to clean up your own house before you concern yourself with what the OBA is doing.
    And I might add that in over twenty years the PLP have had five party leaders.
    That is one leader for each term of office.Save for Paula Cog Cox who lost her seat due to PLP voter apathy after succeeding Dr EwRatt Brown who ruined the countries economy.

  5. Lol says:

    Stop talking about Jerry he’s representing his bosses the best way he can.

  6. Jus' Wonderin' says:

    Talking about is he ok for the job. Laughable when none of these PLP could probably even hold down their own business outside of a government job. Nice try this is all you got lmfaoooo

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