OBA, FDM, Independents On Multiple Candidates
[Updated] The FDM and independent candidates Karen Hodgkins, Dwight Jackson and Sir John Swan have responded to OBA Leader Jarion Richardson’s statement that “if we split the non-PLP vote amongst the OBA, other parties and independents, we will guarantee the PLP another four years.”
Speaking at a press conference today, OBA leader Jarion Richardson said, “I will be blunt. Multiple non-PLP candidates in any given constituency will ensure the Burt Administration retains its grip on us. If we split the non-PLP vote amongst the OBA, other parties and independents, we will guarantee the PLP another four years to break Bermuda’s back.”
As it stands now, the PLP is expected to field a full slate of 36 candidates, the OBA said that they will have 36 candidates, at least five Independents have publicly confirmed that they will run with more expected to announce, and the FDM is also expected to field candidates.
We reached out to various entities seeking a response to Mr Richardson statements, and the FDM and two Independents have replied so far.
The FDM told Bernews, “We agree with the OBA Leader that multiple candidates vying for the same seat will only benefit the PLP in retaining the Government to the detriment of all the people of Bermuda. Lets not forget that this position was first presented to the country by our Leader Marc Bean, immediately after the conclusion of by-election in Constituency 36. As such, we are pleased to hear that others in the community see the wisdom in recognizing the current political realities that Bermuda must grapple with.”
Karen Hodgkins — who is running as an independent in Constituency 31 Southampton West Central. — told Bernews, “No I do not agree. I believe Bermuda is ready for a new direction. The OBA leader is underestimating the voter or afraid that the Independents will take the OBA vote. Who says former PLP voters will not vote for an Independent? The electorate deserve to have options not just a two party political brawl of words back and forth. The Independents offer a way forward without the political party baggage of both the PLP and the OBA.”
Sir John Swan — who will be running as an independent candidate in Constituency 10 Smith’s North – told Bernews, “I heard this today from the leader of the opposition. Jarion Richardson made a statement that a vote for the independent member would be a vote for the PLP. That is, it seems to be the theme of their agenda, which is not true. A vote for an independent member is saying two things:
- #1 Party politics does not serve me well, and we need a change.
- #2 People have a right to express their views as they consider fit.
“This is a total disregard and to persuade people, irrespective of how they feel about the OBA, is to still vote for them. They do have a track record. Of having won one election in the last 20 years. And they didn’t do a good job, and they were there at that.
“So, I don’t know where all this comes from, that all of a sudden the only protection they use is to say that if you vote for the Independent, you are voting against the OBA.
“No, if you vote for an independent, you’re voting for change and have representation that is not party-driven. And since they are a party, they are obliged to follow their party rules, independent members will represent you.
“And I can tell you we have we have quite a slate of people that will be announced very shortly. I think the public will be pleased with the caliber of those people.
“So, I am not going to encourage people to buy into the idea that they used that against me during the Smith’s Parish election, and it worked, but then that was a different set of circumstances.
“This time, we’re talking about Bermuda as a whole. And what Bermuda will end up being, if you follow their pattern, don’t vote for the independent member is saying give the PLP the vote if they don’t want to vote for the OBA.
“So, it cuts both ways. We’re saying democracy is for the people, by the people, and of the people,” Sir John added.
Update: Dwight Jackson, who will be running as an independent in Constituency 9, has also responded. He said, “The country has outgrown party politics. I am believing that Bermuda will recognise the calibre and integrity of the independent candidate, and make a direct and bold statement to the failings and inadequacies of the respective parties on February 18.”
Clearly the OBA are not prepared for a snap election and they realize that the one election that they won was a fluke! People are just as fed up with the PLP now as they were when the OBA took power. However they also have no faith in the OBA. The vote will be split and this will be at the expense of both PLP and OBA seats and that’s the reality of it. A more reasonable concern is that after the election there will be a minimum of two oppositions in the house. This will make unanimous decisions a rare thing in the house of assembly. Also a reconfiguration of the Senate may be necessary as the current one allows for 5 seats to be held by the controlling party, 3 seats by the opposition and 3 independents appointed by the governor. With multiple opposition parties in the house the allocation of the senate seats may be different.
Jarion Richardson is correct. Too many candidates will split the vote allowing the PLP to retain seats with minority votes.
There are constituencies where the OBA does not have a hope of winning, and they know it.The OBA should abandon those constituencies to an independent. There are PLP supporters so intoxicated with PLP propaganda that they will never vote OBA even if it were God himself.
Those people who are fed up with the PLP and their lack of performance would however, vote for an independent rather than staying at home. That flipped vote, along with the OBA supporters who would never vote PLP would also vote independent rather than staying at home.
Pick your battles OBA. An independent will work with you some of the time. A PLP member will work with you non of the time.
Rolf Commissiong is running against Jason Hayward in Pembroke Central (C. 17). Are you suggesting that others not run in that constituency?
If there are 100 voters and two people to vote for probability says that each candidate will have a 1 in 2 chance or 50% chance of winning the individual’s vote. Same 100 voters and 4 people to vote for now each candidate has a 1 in 4 chance or 25% chance of winning the individual’s vote. Translation is that each candidate also has a 3 in 4 chance or 75% chance of losing the individual’s vote. Therefore the more options mean that the PLP will have less of a chance of winning the majority. If it’s still not adding up for you let me make it clear in the last election the PLP won because too many seats were uncontested. So clearly less options works in the PLP’s favor. They know that and they called the snap election in hopes that fewer opposition candidates will be ready in time!!!