Column: Sir John On Independent Candidates
[Opinion column written by Sir John Swan]
Many Bermudians feel a deep yearning for change. They see it, they talk about it, and they know it’s needed. This sentiment is widespread, with many expressing concern that the current system isn’t working, that Bermuda is in a difficult position, and that the future looks grim. Change is always difficult; we often prefer the familiar. However, when things are not going well, change is necessary for improvement. As Martin Luther King Jr. said, “Faith is taking the first step even when you don’t see the whole staircase.” While the entire path to success may not be clear, many Bermudians are ready to take that first bold step. There is hope ahead if we can grasp that faith.
Independents offer a clear path towards that change, a real chance for something different. They’ve already taken an important first step, establishing shared national priorities, a code of ethics, and a firm commitment to accountability to the people of Bermuda for their behavior, openness, transparency, honesty, and trustworthiness. This isn’t just talk; it’s a foundation.
The real power of these independents hinges on their performance in the election. There are two exciting possibilities for how independents can influence the way Bermuda is governed and address its problems, creating a government of the people and for the people:
Sir John Swan, who will be running in this election, pictured with some of the other independent candidates at their recent press conferences, clockwise from top left, Suzie Arruda, Rolfe Commissiong, Noelle Young, and Juanae Crockwell
Coalition Government: If independents win enough seats to hold the balance of power, they become key players. They can negotiate essential policy changes and appointments as part of a coalition with another party. This means their priorities won’t be brushed aside; they’ll be front and center.
Independent Majority: If independents win an outright majority of seats, they can form a government truly dedicated to community-driven decision-making and solutions. A government that listens, a government that acts on the people’s needs. In that case, the independents would agree to a set of priorities, agree to a method of decision-making that truly engaged the entire community in decision-making and finding solutions – a Government of the people, for the people, by the people.
Because of Bermuda’s Westminster system, whether it’s a coalition or an independent majority, the government must be formed according to the Bermuda Constitution. This ensures stability and continuity:
- Elected members will select a leader who will become Premier.
- The Premier will then appoint Ministers to lead their respective ministries.
- The Premier will also appoint Senators.
It’s important to understand that changing the entire system of government isn’t something that can happen overnight. It requires a detailed process, an act of Parliament, and even consent from the British Government. So, to keep things running smoothly and avoid disruption, the current system will remain in place until any future changes can be properly enacted.
Even the election of just a few independents can shake things up dramatically. It can inject new energy, new ideas, and a new sense of purpose into the political landscape. The campaign is underway, the energy is palpable, and the opportunity for real, meaningful change is within reach. It’s an exciting time. The independents are out there right now, on the doorsteps explaining what they stand for and demonstrating the change they can make. It has begun!
- Sir John Swan
For full coverage of the 2025 Election and past elections, visit the links below, with comprehensive coverage available on our network website BermudaElections.com, the leading source of data and election videos.
- All: Our coverage of the 2025 General Election here
- 2025 Candidates: List of candidates confirmed so far here
- Constituencies: Data/past results of all 36 constituencies
- Videos: 200 videos spanning multiple elections here
- Official: The Government’s election website here
- Comprehensive: Our BermudaElection.com website here
If there is any positive to be gleaned from what is perhaps the most cynical election cycle ever in modern Bermuda’s history, it is that people are starting to see there are more options than the narrow, binary dynamic that has long been used by the political parties as a proverbial club to beat down those whom they oppose at any cost. That’s allowed our collective focus to drift from actual governance to politic and grandstanding, which serves nobody but MPs themselves.
Whether that awareness is enough to release Bermuda from the Burt oligarchy in this election cycle seems less clear cut.
However, in theory, Bermuda would probably be better served by independents than by any one particular party, since clearly, party politics is what got us into this mess.
“Bermuda would probably be better served by independents than by any one particular party”
Agreed. Unfortunately, I do not see party politics being abandoned in Bermuda in my lifetime.
We are blessed to have a man of his stature still actively trying to make things better for all of us. I hope we read,listen,learn and move Bermuda forward. It can be done. Thank you Sir John.
A man who led through the epitome of Party Politics era…led a party formed specifically to deny the PLP…enacted much legislation and policy under his leadership to the detriment of many regular black Bermudians. The only folks that found financial success under his leadership were white Bermudians and black Bermudians who supported the UBP.
Now all of a sudden, he has seen the light and party politics is bad. No, what is bad is that he is being disingenuous at best, and his plan is really the same plan that existed when the UBP was formed. Find a way to block the PLP.
It is sad that this will be his legacy.
“[Sir John Swan]…enacted much legislation and policy under his leadership to the detriment of many regular black Bermudians. The only folks that found financial success under his leadership were white Bermudians and black Bermudians who supported the UBP.”
It’s fairly irrefutable at this point that is also the case for the PLP. Just saying. There’s a reason why the “friends and family” narrative exists, which is that cronyism has been entrenched in Bermudian politics prior to the PLP’s rise to power and yet, it is also upheld by the PLP to the point of parody. That hurts average Bermudians of all skin colours more than it helps anyone.
“Now all of a sudden, he has seen the light and party politics is bad. No, what is bad is that he is being disingenuous at best, and his plan is really the same plan that existed when the UBP was formed. Find a way to block the PLP. It is sad that this will be his legacy.”
Well, given the state of the public purse and the overall wellbeing of the country under the PLP’s tenure since 1998, one could argue that opposition to the aforementioned cronyism that party politics has hurt Bermuda more than it has helped is an honourable stance to take. It really depends on whether you value country over party or vice versa.
“If independents win an outright majority of seats, they can form a government … a Government of the people, for the people, by the people.”
Ok. Let’s assume for the moment that that happens. What is the new Minister of Finance going to do when the much-vaunted Corporate Income Tax fails to materialise? Bermuda will have by then incurred even more debt and the projected income from Corporate Income Tax will not be there to meet that debt? What will the new Minister of Finance do (other than blame the PLP Government)?
Before Bermuda even thinks about independence and the down side that will cause .
I will ask why people come up with all kinds of un proven idears with out thinking of the major consequences of such actions.
There will be about 2,999 to $3.999,items that are need to be established and working.
We can no even get to first base .
I could tell you what we have and what we dont have .
I want what ia all is good for us all with inflation to end the day ater tomorrow.
I want Chrismas day every day.
Do you want me to shock you ?
WE HAVE ENOUGH FAILURE STO FIT INSIND 13 CONTAINERS
WHEN I WAS 21 I ALL I WAS CONFRONTED WITH WAS NO !
THAT TOOK ME THREE JOBS AND NEVER ENDING SELF EDUCAION .
IT IS NOT WHAT YOU KNOW IT IS WHAT YOU CAN REMEMBER.
INFLATION HAS DONE. WORSE FOR OUR YOUNG PEOPLE. FRANLY THEY ALL DO NOT HAVE A CHANCE
OUR YOUNG PEOPLE TODAY HAVE A HARDER TIME ,, cant blame me blame your selve for quitting .
YOUR CELL PHONES ARE NOT THE WAY FORWARD.
We have had a form of independance for the last 20 years, and where has that got us? ANSWER
THE LOS OF TRUST !
We have had self governing with laws stacked on top of laws with many duplications. where has that got us?
The UBP party started out with independent representatives untill they starting getting greedy. Be for warned this ? ABSWER
The lack of unity .planet earth is in dis army the threat of WW 111 still haunts us. Covid 19 was what I call that germ warfare and was a small piece of the pie.
Just look at how other independent countries are doing .
I am tired of saying. >>>>>
” Bermuda does no have enough irions in the fire ” that is why we are not financially independent, we owe a bundle .
do we have our own container ship to even bring food here. NO !,
” We do not have enough dynamite to blow the skin of a rice pudding ” . NO ! <<< A figure of poetic speach .
IF i am getting ripped off so are our young people getting the sour grapes.
A BIG BLUNDER ! we let our seniors the worlds greatest teachers retire with 60 years of informatiom.