OBA On Pastor Leroy Bean’s Candidacy
[Updated] Pastor Leroy Bean being announced as the PLP’s Constituency 5 “should come as no surprise” the OBA said, with the Opposition claiming that it “simply a continuation of Burt’s friends and family plan.”
OBA Deputy Leader Ben Smith said, “The announcement that Pastor Bean would stand in Constituency 5 should come as no surprise. It’s simply a continuation of Burt’s friends and family plan.
“Premier Burt appointed Pastor Bean in 2017 to tackle gang violence.
“Since then, Pastor Bean has been paid almost $900,000, and there has been zero accountability for how that money was spent.
“Yet gang crime continues unabated, and since 2017 far too many Bermudians have been murdered, and many more shot, stabbed, and beaten.
“Gang members are even shooting at the police now.
“Despite spending all that money, Premier Burt and Pastor Bean have failed miserably to reduce gang violence. And now Pastor Bean wants to take on more responsibility as an MP.
“After the election, will Pastor Bean continue in his role at a cost of $125,000 per year?
“The OBA is committed to improving public safety and tackling the gangs by investing in the Police and providing them the resources they need.
“Bermudians deserve to live without fear, and without the threat of their children being gunned down in the street.
“On February 18, vote for the OBA to ensure all Bermudians can live in a safe, healthy community.”
Constituency #5 Hamilton East is currently held by the PLP’s Derrick Burgess, who will not be standing for re-election. The PLP has won the seat with over 72% of the vote since the one seat system started in 2003, with all five of those elections won by Mr Burgess.
Bernews asked the PLP for a response to the OBA’s statement and we will update if able.
Update 9.39pm: The response from the PLP is below
It is unfortunate that the One Bermuda Alliance would attempt to malign the efforts of Pastor Leroy Bean, a man who has dedicated his life to addressing one of Bermuda’s most pressing challenges: the cycle of gang violence.
In 2017, Pastor Bean was tasked with tackling a deeply entrenched social issue that the OBA failed to address during their time in government.
While no one claims that gang violence can be solved overnight, it is important to recognise that the groundwork laid by Pastor Bean and his team has included increased funding for intervention initiatives, community outreach, and relationship-building with at-risk youth. This work, while difficult and complex, has provided support for many Bermudians, and there are many success stories.
Under the OBA, social programmes designed to educate and train Bermudians, and provide pathways away from the streets, were slashed while over 100 million dollars was diverted towards a billionaire boat race that benefited only a privileged few.
The PLP government, by contrast, has created a National Violence Reduction Strategy (supported in Parliament by the OBA), expanded funding to boost police numbers and give the BPS more tools to fight crime, built a new CCTV system, restored & increased funding that the OBA took away for education and scholarships, increased investment in rehabilitation programmes, and are expanding programs to tackle not just crime but its root causes as well. In the last year alone 12 firearms have been recovered.
The OBA’s shrill, personal attacks ring hollow when compared with their track record of prioritising the interests of the privileged over the well-being of the wider community.
Furthermore, their latest statement doesn’t have a single solution or proposal on what they would do to tackle violence. It is clear that they cannot either lead or engage in real, substantive conversations on this topic.
The Progressive Labour Party remains committed to reducing violence, empowering communities, and ensuring every Bermudian feels safe in their homes and neighbourhoods. Pastor Bean’s candidacy in Constituency 5 reflects our belief in the power of grassroots leadership and his unwavering commitment to Bermuda’s youth.
As we move toward Election Day, we encourage all Bermudians to focus on the real issues at hand and reject the OBA’s divisive tactics. Together, we can continue to build a safer, fairer, and more united Bermuda for all.
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
What is the point of trying to attack pastor Bean for doing something that the OBA had never taken seriously, nor made any headway in.
No one expects Pastor Bean or anyone in particular to ensure that there is NO gang crime. While ideal, that can also be unrealistic. I am sure that without Pastor Bean’s interactions, there would be an even higher incidence of gun and gang crime.
Who would the OBA appoint and what would their strategy be? I firmly believe that have no clue. It is sad they would attack this man for putting himself in a position to help when they have had no answers or suggestions to this scourge.
Do better OBA.
You say you are sure that without Pastor Beans interactions there would be even higher incidence of gun and gang crime? How are you sure? Is there any proof? The statistics don’t support that statement and the polls will tell you that people dont believe things are better. Show me different.
Watching…..ya gotta be joking right?
I could do what the pastor has done “nothing” for less than half of dat amount of cash?
Les be real. 900K over 8 years is not exactly that much money in Bermuda’s economy. 112K a year is not excessive for the risk and challenges the job requires.
“Les be real. 900K over 8 years is not exactly that much money …”
I guess there are 2 Bermudas and I live in the one where $900,000 IS a lot of money.
You must be one of the PLP elite feeding at the trough to be able to dismiss $900,000.00 over 8 years as “not exactly that much money”.
Can someone ask the OBA what they would do differently? What is their plan to address gang-violence and community violence? It’s nice to say Bermudians deserve to live in a fairer Bermuda, but what will they do to ensure it?
Everytime they speak they are just complaining without anything concrete for me as a voter to consider when deciding who I am voting for. Tired of see the criticism without presenting an alternative.
If my memories serve me correctly the PLP have given more money and resources to the police already. What will you do??
Like the previous comment says, do better!
In a safer Bermuda*
THe PLP have been in power for hhow long!? It should be easy for you or anyone to put together a list of real accomplishments. I think we are all tired of hearing about what the incoming government is GOING to do better next time. Tell me how the PLP has made things better NOW.
Tell us GANT? How?
I was in a conversation with 0BA candidate Mr Smith who will be running against MP Zane Desilva about gang violence just yesterday and told him that no matter who the Government of the day is they will do their best I’m sure, we cannot blame the Government for this that is happening here in Bermuda, when someone plans to commit such a crime as serious as murder what do we as a community want the Government to do ??? especially when they don’t know it’s going to happen…Ben Smith let’s see if the OBA becomes the Government…if you don’t know through police intelligence that this is going to happen…well you can’t prevent it from happening…I’m just saying