PLP’s Burgess & Caines Will Not Be Candidates
The PLP announced that Derrick Burgess and Wayne Caines will not stand in the 2025 general election, and said “the party anticipates the announcement of new candidates by the end of this week.”
Mr Burgess noted that he will “remain a loyal and committed member of the PLP, and willing to serve my party whenever summoned,” while Mr Caines said, “I am proud to be a lifelong member of the PLP and remain steadfast in my belief that we can create lasting change for Bermuda.”
A PLP spokesperson said, “The Hon. Derrick Burgess, JP, MP, our long-serving Member of Parliament from Constituency 5, Hamilton East, has decided that this is the time for him to step away from public politics after serving in the House of Assembly since 1998. MP Burgess has served in various Cabinet positions, as well as Deputy Premier. His labour roots, which led him to the Presidency of the Bermuda Industrial Union, enabled him to be an ardent voice for the workers of Bermuda, and a dedicated advocate for the principles of the Progressive Labour Party. We thank “Cousin Derrick” for his nearly 27 years of service, and we wish him the best in his retirement.
“Wayne Caines, JP, MP, our Member of Parliament for Constituency 14, Devonshire North West, will also be stepping away from service in the House of Assembly. Mr. Caines served as our Minister of National Security from 2017-2020, and has been the MP for this area since 2017. Prior to this appointment, MP Caines was also appointed as a Senator for the PLP in 2006 . We thank Mr. Caines for his leadership and contributions, and we wish him well as he continues his work in the private sector.
Party Leader David Burt said, “Being a representative is a significant sacrifice, and I pay homage to MP Burgess for his many years of service. Cousin Derrick has been on the front line of fighting for better conditions for workers, and those in our community who need a champion. He has served in many roles in our party, and I wish him the very best in his well-deserved retirement.”
“I am sad to see Wayne step away at this time, but I’m sure it’s more of a pause than a retirement. I thank him for his support of the Party and look forward to working with him as we continue to advance the mission of the Bermuda Progressive Labour Party to deliver a fairer Bermuda”.
The spokesperson added, “The Party anticipates the announcement of new candidates by the end of this week. The constituents of C5 and C14 can be assured that whoever their new candidates will be will give the same dedication and commitment to their constituencies as Messrs. Burgess and Caines have given. The Party will not be making any further comment on the internal selection process.”
Statement from Derrick Burgess:
I, Derrick Burgess, sat in parliament as an opposition member until the PLP triumph to victory in November 1998, a momentous occasion for Bermuda and me.
Not only had we won the government for the first in our history, but I was in the company of some great people of the Bermuda Progressive Labour Party who remained on the front lines in Parliament and in the streets fighting for a better Bermuda for all despite the struggle and consequences to them and their families; individuals such as Dame Lois Browne Evans, Reggie Burrows, Ottie Simmons, Dr Barbara Ball, Eugene Blakeney, Stanley Lowe, David Allen, Stanley Morton, Authur Hodgson, Premier Dame Jennifer Smith, Premier Alex Scott, Premier Ewart Brown and others too numerous to mention.
I salute them all. The tenacity of the above in their commitment to the people of Bermuda and the PLP has made me a better, dedicated life member of this party, which has nurtured me to remain steadfast in my fight to help our people, particularly our seniors. Serving in Cabinet under three different premiers and being elected deputy premier of Bermuda during my time in parliament was certainly a milestone in my life, and something I will never forget.
I could not have accomplished any of this without the trust and confidence of the voters in Hamilton Parish, the ‘ Bible Belt ‘. I would like to thank my branch for all their hard work, commitment, and dedication over the past 27 years – because without you, not much was possible. Your encouragement made this voyage smooth and enjoyable.
Let me close by saying that I, Derrick Burgess, will remain a loyal and committed member of the PLP, and willing to serve my party whenever summoned. PLP all the way, all the way PLP.
Statement from Wayne Caines:
As a proud member of the Progressive Labour Party and the Member of Parliament for Devonshire North West [Constituency 14], I have been immensely blessed and honored to serve the people of Bermuda for the 8 past years. Representing the remarkable individuals and families of Constituency 14 has been one of the greatest privileges of my life, and I remain deeply grateful for the trust and support I have received since my journey began on 17 July, 2017.
Throughout my tenure, I have fallen deeply in love with Constituency 14 and its people. The relationships we have built, the challenges we have faced, and the progress we have achieved together have profoundly shaped me, both personally and professionally. Every conversation at a doorstep, every shared celebration, and every moment of community solidarity has been a reminder of the incredible spirit and resilience of our people. After much thought and prayerful consideration, I have made the decision not to stand as a candidate in the upcoming general election.
At this time, I wish to focus on my health, my family, my professional endeavors, and the charitable causes that hold a special place in my heart. This decision was not made lightly, as my love for public service and my commitment to my community and Bermuda remain as strong as ever. To the constituents of Devonshire North West: I will continue to stand by you, working closely with the PLP’s confirmed candidate to ensure they are fully acquainted with the unique needs and aspirations of our community.
I am committed to canvassing with them and supporting their efforts to build on the work we have accomplished together. I am proud to be a lifelong member of the PLP and remain steadfast in my belief that we can create lasting change for Bermuda. My commitment to being a change agent for our country is unwavering, and I look forward to continuing to serve in ways that uplift and empower our people. To my colleagues in the PLP and the broader Bermuda community: thank you for your encouragement, your partnership, and your belief in the collective potential of our nation.
While I step away from public office, my heart remains fully engaged in the work of building a better Bermuda for all.
Constituency #5 Hamilton East has been won by the PLP with over 72% of the vote since the one seat system started in 2003, with all five of those elections won by the PLP’s Derrick Burgess, who is now retiring.
Since the one seat system started in 2003, the PLP have won Constituency #14 Devonshire North West, in 4 General Elections and the OBA have won it once.
The only shame about this, is that it didn’t happen sooner…
Don’t let the door hit you on the way out!
Mr. Apathy – get a life! You have no idea the toll Political life has on MPs and their families. Let people leave gracefully acknowledge their service and move on.
Ah yes.
I’m sure getting paid handsomely by taxpayers to sit in the house of assembly hurling non-sequiturs at one another until the cows come home year after year, rather than fix our crumbling infrastructure and ever-deepening public debt chasm is highly traumatic for the poor MPs.
LOL
So you get off your and do something. There’s an opportunity now for you to run and make it actual difference. People like you disgust me “Twitter fingers“
Today marks a significant moment of reflection and sadness for Constituency 14 and the people of Bermuda as a whole. The resignation of Wayne Caines as our Member of Parliament is not just the departure of a representative but the loss of a leader whose actions consistently spoke louder than his words.
Though I am not a PLP supporter, I voted for Wayne Caines because of the dedication, accessibility, and unwavering commitment he displayed to our constituency. His efforts transcended political lines and reminded us all of what genuine public service looks like. Whether it was through regular canvassing in our neighborhoods, addressing the concerns of residents with sincerity, or simply showing up when it mattered most, Mr. Caines embodied the kind of leadership that puts people first.
No one is perfect, and like all of us, Mr. Caines had his imperfections. However, his work in Constituency 14 demonstrated his determination to make a meaningful difference. He connected with the community on a personal level and consistently advocated for our needs. His passion and care were evident not just in his words but in his actions—a rare and admirable quality in any leader.
As we move forward, we must acknowledge the impact Wayne Caines has had not only on our constituency but also on the wider Bermuda community. Today is a sad day, but it is also an opportunity to express deep gratitude for the work he has done. On behalf of myself and many others who feel the same, thank you, Mr. Caines, for your service, your dedication, and your heart for the people.
That explains why Derrick Burgess hasn’t been knocking doors down in Hamilton East like he usually is in the run-up to an election. I’m shocked; I would have thought they’d have to tear that constituency from his cold, dead hands.
Good riddance. They ruin our economy and our country while they give them selves raises and get the best guaranteed pensions. Please god let the PLP go the way of the dodo birds!
Thank you. Note how they criticize but NOT one of them is electable. They behave like snipers when the country needs leaders. Step up and show us how to do it and stop behaving like cowards.
“Step up and show us how to do it and stop behaving like cowards”
Why in the world would any sensible person oppose the PLP? To do so is an invitation to be threatened and defamed. No sensible person would put his or her family through that.
You basically admitted that anyone joining the OBA is stupid.
“Sensible” people you say. So that’s the reason your oba likes to use black surrogates as candidates!
I agree with you. Joe is a skeleton. Not one solution from him. You see it. I see but Joe can’t because he is drowning in a cesspool of ideas.
In your skirt and drinking g from a bottle. If you stepped forward and showed us how to do it 100 percent right, you might be considered sensible and electable. But in every post you reveal you would be 10 times worse and be taking a nap everyday when we need all hands on deck.
You really a sad person. Get some professional help.
Come on cousin Lol!
TARRIFS
“We are all dependant on one another.”
The USA is and has been taking taking a beating
This country is presently subject to a very large debt as you all know, at the same time there are other financial commitment accountable to our Government that you also know ..
Now we are looking at addition a debt on Bermudiana beach project that has recently come to light .
I wonder if we are looking at leaders here who are looking to “JUMP SHIP” or” CUT AND RUN” not wanting to have their feet being held to the fire over the countries debt which they were part and party too.
NOTE !
We are also paying import duty on our imports !
Trump can not control 77 million people over night as he has just became a KING. ” Off with their heads ” who in the past did just that . Henry 8 domestib policy !
Trumps import tariff program is going to create large shortages of imports coming to the USA which will also impact Bermuda .
American companies manufacturing over seas, will be required to pay the duty/ tarrifs to the USA on their exports to the USA.
Also those companies will take their business else where or are they doing that already ?
The question is why did so many USA companies leave the USA in the first place was it unions and or high USA manufacturing costs or both ?
Where does Bermuda get 99% of it imports from? ~~~~~~> the pond ~~~~~~> USA !
We are not fighting wars with bullet any more it is with economics.
Bermuda is a dependent nation, been that way for years.
We even depend on the Panama and Suez Canals being cars from India or Japan for example .
USA catches a cold Bermuda will get Pneumonia !
Millionaires will go broke as their investments will fail.
What have I been telling you all this time ?
We need to store and grow more of our own food on the golf course if need be instead of lawn also breed more live stock and catch more fish
AGG and FISH are they draging their feet ?
Thank Goodness for small mercy’s