PLP’s Walter Roban Will Not Stand In Next Election
Deputy Premier and Minister of Home Affairs Walter Roban announced that he “will not be contesting the next General Election.”
Mr. Roban said, “It is with mixed emotions that I announce today that I will not be contesting the next General Election for the Progressive Labour Party. ‘To everything, there is a season. Front line politics, representing the PLP, has been a major part of my life but will be coming to an end. It is now time to move into the next phase. My service within the Progressive Labour Party began in the late 1980s over 35 years ago. One of my greatest experiences was as part of the team that orchestrated the historic 1998 victory ushering in a new Bermuda.
“The work has kept me involved with every bye-election and election campaign ever since. Also as an officer of the party, shaping the policy, strategy and vision to benefit the people, has been one of my passions. My official public political service extends for 21 years, first being appointed to the Senate in 2003 under former Premier W. Alexander Scott.
“Then succeeding, at the election of 2007, the legendary Ottiwell Simmons in Pembroke East Central. Over the years, I have served in numerous Cabinet positions, over 15 years, and the past seven years as Deputy Premier. I served under the past five leaders in their Cabinets and Shadow Cabinet. My life has always been about service, and political service has taken precedence for the past 25 years. It was never meant to be a lifelong job, and I am now at the point where I am ready to make a shift.
“The PLP was founded to improve the lives of the people, and we have always kept that focus. We may not have always been able to please all the people all the time, but we have worked tirelessly to bring about change. Change often doesn’t come easy, and sometimes even the change people advocate for can be rejected when they realise that it may in some way impact them negatively. That is politics, that is life.
“However, I have always been proud of the PLP and of the work we have done. During my time under L. Frederick Wade, Dame Jennifer Smith, Alex Scott, Dr Ewart Brown, the Paula Cox, the Marc Bean, and now the current leader and Premier, David Burt, much work has been done to benefit Bermudians. The people’s work will continue to be done.
“To my colleagues in the legislature over many years, I have enjoyed serving with you as we work to shape a different and better Bermuda. That journey continues, and I will be supporting you all the way. At the next election, I will be a bystander politically, but I will always be a supporter of the party. I will continue to encourage our supporters to get involved in our great party, and for the wider electorate to support a PLP government.
“I would like to thank all of my family for all their love and support over the decades of political life. There aren’t too many things harder than being the family of a politician and I thank them from the bottom of my heart. And of course, my PLP constituency 15 branch workers who have supported me without hesitation and without reservation over the past 17 years. There are many others who have supported me over the years, party members who encouraged and guided me in this journey. They are too numerous to mention but I am eternally grateful to all.
“A personal thank you goes to the current leader of the PLP, David Burt, my leader, friend and colleague. We have been on a great journey together. We have shaped and led the PLP to political success only imagined by our founders. It has been a gift to share a vision for our country and the work to bring into effect the potential our island has. Bermuda has the ability to evolve and adapt to the changing world. I am excited about the possibilities of the future. Working hard to bring prosperity and benefit to all our people. I thank the Progressive Labour Party and the people of Bermuda for the opportunity to serve you.”
Mr Roban represents Constituency #15 Pembroke East General, which the PLP have won in all the General Elections since the one seat system started in 2003, always earning over 81% of the vote.
