Premier & PLP Pay Tribute To Stanley Morton
[Updated] A kind and committed public servant who championed the causes of social justice and workers’ rights, Premier David Burt said as he paid tribute to former MP Stanley Morton, who passed away today.
Premier David Burt said, “Mr. Morton was a member the ‘Class of 68’, those men and women who helped launch Bermuda into universal adult suffrage. His sacrifice was even greater as he stood in Pembroke East Central, with the late Dr. Barbara Ball, for the Progressive Labour Party and was victorious.
“Stanley Morton was at the vanguard of the early days of the PLP, championing the causes of social justice and workers’ rights that laid the foundation for today’s Bermuda. It is a testament to his service that Mr. Morton offered himself as a candidate in Pembroke East Central in 9 General Elections and was successful in 8 of them, becoming one of that group of first PLP Government MPs in 1998.
“As we remember this kind and committed public servant, on behalf of the Government and people of Bermuda, I express my sincerest condolences to his wife Mrs. Ilys Morton and to his children and grandchildren as they mourn his loss. The community is truly grateful for his life’s work and example.”
The late Stanley Morton and Premier David Burt
PLP Statement
A spokesperson said, “The Progressive Labour Party family is saddened today by the passing of our long serving former Member of Parliament, Mr. Stanley Morton at the age of 87.
“Stanley Morton was first elected as a PLP Member of Parliament in 1968 representing Pembroke East Central. Mr. Morton was without a doubt an effective constituency representative. He held a seat which was by and large PLP from 1968 onward except for one term. It is a city district with many of the issues associated with urban centers. Without a doubt, Mr. Morton captured the hearts of Pembroke East Central voters which is why he was continually returned to the House by them, save for one term.
“He served as the Shadow Minister of Marine & Ports and Aviation for 12 years. Stanley Morton was “a man of the people” and retained this seat for 17 straight years until 1985.
“In 1989, he was reelected to Pembroke East Central and along with the late David Allen, they represented the PLP successfully in the 1993 and 1998 elections. Mr. Morton also served as a member of the Party Executive in the late 1980s as the party was rebuilding under the leadership of L. Frederick Wade.
“Brother Stanley was honored and humbled to be part of the Progressive Labour Party’s winning team in the historic 1998 election when we became the Government of Bermuda.
“In 2003 when Bermuda moved to single seat constituencies, Mr. Morton retired from active politics. In his “retirement”, he continued to support the PLP by providing advice and counsel to the party and MPs. He and his family could be seen regularly attending PLP events and ensuring the Party was staying the course.
The late C.V. Jim Woolridge, the late Mr. Morton and the late Stanley Lowe
“The Progressive Labour Party expresses our deepest appreciation to Stanley Morton for his unwavering commitment to our Party and our country. He started as a PLP stalwart, as a young Black Bermudian man, during a time when being publicly affiliated with the party caused great personal and financial hardship.
“Despite these challenges he provided for his family, while also representing his constituents and the people of Bermuda. He was a staunch supporter of workers’ rights and ensuring our worker were represented, protected and awarded the benefits they rightfully deserved. Mr. Morton was a courageous leader of his generation.
“On behalf of the Progressive Labour Party we thank his wife, Ilyss, daughter, Christie, and sons Scott, Stanley Jr and Wayne for sharing your father with us. Being a politician in Bermuda is tough, but your father believed in the PLP. As a Member of Parliament he worked tirelessly to achieve so much for our people and Bermuda.
“The Progressive Labour Party victory in 1998 [and subsequent] general election victories were due in part to his grassroots contributions and the foundation set by him and other senior members of the Party. We salute Stanley Morton and may he rest in peace.”
Dr. Ewart Brown Statement
Update 10.12am: Former Premier of Bermuda Dr. Ewart Brown said, “Stanley Morton served the people of his constituency and Bermuda with distinction. He often recalled for those of us who were not present, how difficult it was to navigate life in Bermuda as a PLP member of Parliament fifty years ago. His uncanny ability to reduce the lofty language of Parliament to the simple language of the street will be sadly missed.”
