MP Campbell Resigns From PLP, Joins OBA

[Updated] The One Bermuda Alliance is holding a press conference today [August 26]. We will have additional information later on, and you can watch the live video below.

Update: The press conference is still underway, however as a brief summary, the OBA have announced that MP Vance Campbell, previously with the PLP, has now joined the OBA.

This follows after Mr Campbell — who was initially elected in 2020 in C9 Smith’s West — resigned from Cabinet earlier this month. We will update with the full remarks from this morning’s press conference as able.

Update 11.47am: Jarion Richardson’s statement follows below:

Today, the Honorable Member of Parliament for Constituency 9 [Smith’s West] Mr. Vance Campbell resigned from the Progressive Labour Party and joined the One Bermuda Alliance. When the House of Assembly returns on Friday, 20 September 2024, MP Campbell will cross the aisle from the Government benches, and sit with us, the Opposition.

This is historical, and radically changes the political momentum and landscape in Bermuda, to the benefit of all Bermudians. MP Campbell was in the Progressive Labour Party for over thirteen years, serving in roles as varied as delegate and treasurer. And when the PLP won the Government, MP Campbell eventually served as a Cabinet Minister. This decision could not have been easy. And I have no doubt that this news will lead to attempts to demean, demoralize and devalue MP Campbell.

Vance, I want you to know that we who have faced those political bullies will not let you stand alone. We find strength in serving our communities, hope in our vision of a safe, secure and prosperous Bermuda, inspiration in the countless Bermudians who daily encourage us to push forward, for the benefit of the generations to come. MP Campbell can better explain why he’s taken this course of action, and I will leave it to him to do so. I will speak to what this means for the One Bermuda Alliance – and Bermuda at large.

In the years since the 2020 General Election, the OBA has deeply examined our purpose, values and activities. We have rebuilt, forged a new organization from the ashes of the old, clear in purpose, values and mission. We have attracted people of integrity, vision and resilience. We are ready to bring about Bermuda’s renaissance.

MP Campbell will take a place in this community of equals, bringing his life experience, professional skills and deep character. He has joined a team that has no tolerance for personal agendas or manipulative schemes. With you in our ranks, we will get even better at discipline in the face adversity, increasing our strength of character and putting service before self. And for that, I am deeply thankful. Vance, welcome to the One Bermuda Alliance.

Vance Campbell’s statement follows below:

a very good morning to the Bermudian people. Including – in particular – my constituents here in Smith’s West, Constituency 9. For more than a decade, I have proudly served the people of Smith’s West. First, as a candidate in the 2012 election. And then again in 2017. And eventually, after the 2020 election, serving you for some four years as your Member of Parliament. It has been the greatest honour of my life to serve you. To work for your interests. To listen to your concerns. To help you solve problems.

When I was first introduced as a candidate in 2011, I did so as a concerned father. A concerned father wanting to see a better Bermuda, not only for my kids, but for the next generation of all Bermudians. It’s simple: our children are Bermuda’s future. Our children must make their way in the world that we leave behind. So I entered politics because I wanted that “Future Bermuda” to be better for all our children.

And I wanted to be part of a team to deliver that better future. In 2011, I believed that team to be the Bermuda Progressive Labour Party 2011 seems a very long time ago, and, when you include my time as a Central Committee Representative and a Delegate I have actively served for approximately fourteen years. That experience has presented me with much to evaluate. Sadly today – in 2024 – in assessing the years between 2011 and now, the conclusion that I kept coming to was that the political party that I joined many years ago – the Bermuda Progressive Labour Party – no longer presents the best option for securing a better future for Bermuda.

I can no longer visit my constituents’ homes and say to you, in all honesty, that I still have faith in the PLP. I can no longer ask you, my constituents, to support me as a member of the PLP. In politics, there are some who put their own personal agenda before our Country. They place the interests of the individual before the interests of the Island. That is not who I am. Not at all.

I have always believed we are our brother’s keeper. We are here to help others. When called upon to serve, I believe that we must always put the interests of our people first. And for these reasons, I have this morning resigned as a member of the Bermuda Progressive Labour Party. My belief in service carries with it a desire to work together with people who strive to improve the lives of others. And in today’s Bermuda, I believe we must call upon the talents of everyone. As an Island, we must come together and unite to solve our problems. That is who I am. That is who I will continue to be. And so today I am joining the One Bermuda Alliance.

Bermudians may wish to know how I reached my decision. So let me answer some questions that may be asked. Because I want my constituents in Smith’s West to understand how my conscience has led me here. Let me share a few thoughts about my decision. First, I have been considering this move for some time. This is not a snap decision. Second, I could have remained a Minister or a Member of Parliament and simply collected a salary. That is not who I am. To me, this is a question of my personal integrity. Third, you may ask me – why not just quit? Well I have been in politics – in one capacity or another – for 13 or 14 years now. Sure, I could have just walked away from politics altogether.

But my work is not yet finished. To me, this job must be about providing people with better outcomes. It’s about delivering results. Making things better. There is still much more work to be done to improve the lives of everyone on this Island. Finally, let me share why I decided to join the OBA. It may seem odd for any politician to resign from Cabinet. And then to resign from the larger governing party, in order to join a smaller opposition party. When I survey the political landscape the only viable option I see to continue my work is the One Bermuda Alliance.

My plan is to add my shoulder to their efforts – now our efforts. And when I commit to things, I do so 100%. To me, the OBA is the party with a shared vision for a better future. The team with the desire to make the changes we need. And the team with the ability to get things done. Make no mistake, restoring hope for Bermuda will require some very difficult decisions. Providing a platform for the success of our children will mean hard work. Hollow promises are nothing. We need action. And if – like me – you believe in results, it makes sense to identify who can actually deliver them. Today I am joining the team at the One Bermuda Alliance.

And I am doing so because – in my heart – I believe the OBA is the best team to tackle the problems all of us face. Bermuda needs bold leaders who will work hard to get the job done…and I have decided to become a part of that effort. To all of you who have voted for me to serve you in Smith’s West, I thank you with all my heart. Please know that I am still the same person you voted for. I will continue to work hard and serve you with integrity. And to those who did not vote for me in past elections, please know that I shall continue to work hard for you as well. And, perhaps in time, I may come to earn your support. Let me conclude with this. Politics requires courage. It requires the courage of your convictions, and it requires personal courage.

I hope people will see me taking this bold step and say: perhaps things do not have to be this way. Perhaps we can change for the better. If we can put aside our differences – and work together with those who share our vision of a better Bermuda – then things will get better. I welcome the opportunity to work with my new OBA colleagues to make this vision a reality. So that we actually leave Bermuda better than we found it. So that our children have a chance at a better life.

Update 5.16pm: A PLP statement said, “The PLP acknowledges MP Vance Campbell’s decision to defect from the Progressive Labour Party to the One Bermuda Alliance. This is certainly a disappointment to the countless PLP volunteers who worked in Smith’s West to win that constituency for the Bermuda Progressive Labour Party in the last General Election.

“The Progressive Labour Party will continue to push back against the OBA’s anti-Bermudian agenda to open the immigration floodgates, slash social programmes, and reduce government services. The PLP stands proud of its record of increasing pensions for our seniors, implementing a minimum wage, and reducing payroll taxes for workers to their lowest level in history while ensuring that those who earn more pay their fair share.

“We remain focused on our mission and will end this press release with a quote from OBA MP Vance Campbell as given in the House of Assembly in February 2024, which the Bermuda Progressive Labour Party endorses. ‘Fiscal prudence, sound debt management of the Bermuda Progressive Labour Party. The rate of inflation we have heard in Bermuda continues on a steady decline. Why? Government policies such as the elimination of duty on staple foods … staple goods, the freezing of fuel prices, reduction of payroll taxes for all local businesses and 86 per cent of Bermuda workers, two-year freeze on Government health insurance premiums, reduction in vehicle licensing fees.

“All of these played a part in slowing the cost of living and reducing the impact of global inflation here at home.” “Mr. Speaker, this is what fiscal responsibility looks like. This is what constitutes fiscal prudence. This is financial competence. Increase social protections. We heard Minister Hayward talk about that. Stronger labour laws. Again, Minister Hayward touched on that. So, we are protecting our most vulnerable and we are looking after the workers of this country. “Does any of this, Mr. Speaker, sound like mismanagement of the economy? What an irresponsible statement for the One Bermuda Alliance to make, whilst claiming to want to lead this country as a Government. No! It is not mismanagement. This PLP Government is a responsible Government.’

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