OBA’s Scott Pearman On Independents
“The notion of independent candidates may appeal to the non-partisan voters, but it badly fails the stress test of practical reality,” Scott Pearman – the OBA candidate for Constituency 22 Paget East – said.
Mr. Pearman said, “The 2025 General Election will have 110 candidates, the most in the history of Bermuda elections. A total of 27 independent candidates have put their names forward but when you cast your vote on February 18th, will an independent candidate be able to represent your interests in Parliament? What would an independent candidate be able to achieve?
“Having more citizens contesting an election is not a bad thing and should be welcomed. Too many capable people shy away from politics for any number of reasons. However, the notion of independents has obvious flaws.
“Politics is a team effort. To set the Island’s education policy, or healthcare plans, you must first become the Government. That requires a like-minded team of at least 18 MPs, working together to maintain the confidence of the House of Assembly. To run the Government requires a unified team, an agreed consensus on the solutions to deploy, set policy and advance legislation for Bermuda.
“Independents can be a voice on specific issues. Yet, ultimately, an independent MP lacks the necessary support of party colleagues. The notion of independent candidates may appeal to the non-partisan voters, but it badly fails the stress test of practical reality.
“Since our defeat in 2020, candidates for the OBA has spent the past five years analysing our Island’s problems. Weekly Caucus meetings involve our team discussing, debating, and devising solutions to create opportunity for all. Our Caucus reflects Bermuda – with broad diversity of age, gender, race, economic activity, and life experience.
“The OBA is a cross-section of our Island and is the only party to have released solutions to address the issues facing all Bermudians – a platform that was developed and refined over more than a year. Premier David Burt decided to call an election for 18 February, yet the PLP’s Platform is still nowhere to be seen. And no independent candidates have released a comprehensive platform, with most running on single issues important to them.
“If you are considering voting for an independent, please ask that candidate what his or her actual position is on the numerous and complex issues facing our island. If you hope for a ‘movement of independents’, are you sure that – if any were to be elected – those elected would even agree with each other on the issues?
“Where does each independent candidate stand on the proposed Corporate Income Tax? On independence from the UK? On the legalization of cannabis, the size of our police service, or whether immigration should go up or down?
“Some independents have extremely divergent views on issues facing Bermuda – so what happens when they disagree? How would independent MPs reach a consensus, and how long would that take?
“The issues faced by political leaders in today’s Bermuda are complicated. Striving for collaboration and achieving consensus is not easy, particularly on issues where reasonable people disagree. A cohesive team is needed – a team with a plan already in place to tackle our issues from day one. The OBA has done the work and is ready to form the Government on day one.
“It is clear the PLP Government has run out of ideas. More than two decades in power has left David Burt’s PLP fractured, lacking in solutions, and just plain tired. Six PLP MPs, including four former cabinet ministers, are quitting politics altogether.
“We need a fresh, new team with energy and ideas. The OBA is ready to form the next Government, to tackle the issues we face, creating opportunities for all Bermudians. If you are really considering voting for an independent, please ask yourself: how much would an independent MP actually be able to achieve?
“With so much at stake in the next election, it would be a shame to waste your vote on a candidate who is powerless to change Bermuda for the benefit of all Bermudians.”
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 the 110 candidates
- Constituencies: Data/past results of all 36 constituencies
- Videos: Over 200 videos spanning multiple elections here
- Official: The Government’s election website here
- Comprehensive: Our BermudaElection.com website here
The OBA is once again demonstrating they are tone deaf. The qualities displayed by our independent candidates in this election is a statement to the tired ways of party politics. Wasting a vote is a false narrative. Wearing colours and being silenced with the party line is a fact of top down party politics. Our courageous independents offer ethical options to not voting. If party politics won’t listen between elections maybe you will pay attention during an election.
Agreed.
Neither the OBA or PLP seem to understand that their inherent nature and existence as parties have left people disillusioned. Both parties could use a serious slice of humble pie.
So great is the mistrust of Bermuda’s political establishment that regardless of whether one has historically voted one way or another, if there’s an alternative, people may just take it.
This is no surprise. No political party wants competion from independents. Independents take votes from both of them.
No political party wants independents in the HOA. They don’t have control over independent’s mouths or votes.
The OBA needs to dissolve. A vote for this party is a wasted vote.
Why?
They used to have lawyers, doctors and business owners. Now the oba invites surrogates as candidates based on skin color.
That is a myth that the PLP propagate. Ask questions of each candidate, don’t blindly follow a false prophet. Don’t blindly follow the PLP, OBA or FDM.
More importantly, don’t believe the hype or buzzwords like FAIRER, PROTECTING BERMUDIANS….. all elected try to do that. The PLP have had nearly a quarter of a century and have done nothing, but make Bermuda too expensive for Bermudians, while their leaders and members of parliament seem to have done very well financially for themselves. The audacity of them to use those buzzwords is disgusting. Question your PLP candidate , make sure they answer (not just respond)…fact check too. The same goes for the OBA , FDM and Independent candidates. This is your country, your vote. Don’t just guess who to vote for, make an informed decision.
While the PLP focuses almost entirely on the OBA, the OBA focuses on the independents and, to some extent, the FDM.
The PLP sees the OBA as its main opposition, so who does the OBA see as its main opposition?
“Some independents have extremely divergent views on issues facing Bermuda – so what happens when they disagree? How would independent MPs reach a consensus, and how long would that take?”
I’m reminded of when the OBA was in power and they had divergent views on marriage equality. They wound up with a costly non-binding referendum that many people didn’t even vote upon, then had the whole shebang decided in the courts. So it’s pretty rich from Pearman to suggest that only an organized party can make decisions swiftly and confidently.
OBA needs to focus less on their fear of independent candidates stirring the pot and more on building on their own shaky foundation so they can actually challenge the PLP, if that’s possible. Give people reasons to vote FOR their candidates, instead of Boogeyman scare tactics about independents.
It is a healthy thing in a democracy to see 110 candidates but as I’ve stated over and over, and read on other networks, expectations of independents boils down to front page speeches and nothing done . Be that as it may, the real issue is consistently being ignored so we have backward and forward attacks when the people want solutions . So here we go loop de loop. No solutions. God save the King. Oh. To all the critics of politicians send your name in to be a Senator. The New Governor just arrived has introduced this. Will he publish the names sent it? Let’s see if he has the testicular fortitude to do so or is a paper tiger ,( a whimp). And let’s see if you staunch critics are just a bunch of cry babies. I hope the critics run so we can nail them for every wrong word and mistake because we are perfect spectators but fraydy-cats. Got to go lap up my milk.
If only i could read between the lines of of Transparency . Stainability . Poverty. Acciutability. and Fairness .
I am of the oppinion that the results of this hastely oerganised 2025 election will be in layman’s terms all that which will come to BREAK Bermuda back .
You know not what you do
We are looking for just a small glimmer of hope , many some bodies blew the candle out when Bermuda is on the edge of a cliff. with only moments to go, it is not the last chance to realize. Bermuda must come first because there is more at stake than just you and I .
All we ask for is the good .
A promising and fruitfull future for all .
We can wish for all we want and need .
Sadly It is not there.
In my humble oppinion, the party system is very wrong as that has failed us .
The people of this island can do better.
I really hope that our seeds will not fall on stony ground.
THE FUTURE IS NOT THE PAST.
I am going to walk down the middle of the yellow brick road holding the banner of perceived impartiality .
Many will ask them selves the very second they pick up the pen and cast their vote . WHY AM I HERE .
These are all tough questions and only you have the best answers.
I am not scared of our future ? I am terified !
Do i want a fairer Bermuda that comes late in the game of chance
What do i beleive in?
What do i have faith in .
Who am i sending a message to and why?
Who can i put my trust in?
Am I tired of the lies.
Why am i subject to hardship?
Am I going to make the biggest mistake of my life?
What do i want for my children ?
Can I make it through to next year?
Am I asking for a miracle that i can not have?
Will I have a job next week ?
Can WE pay our next power bill?
If some one give me money , am I being bought an paid for ,what do I have to give back in return ?
Can we pay our bills?
Can Just get by, when i get old ?
Can I work 8 days a week to just keep the big wheel turning?
Where did other countries go wrong.?
Am I a prudent person ?
I got barely by and this far, did I not ?
Do I want to chuck it all to the wind ?
Where will my tax money go?
I know i am voting for highest honerable office in Bermuda ?
Do I want a say in the destiny of Bermuda and is that all i can ask?
UNDECIDED have faith in your wisdom and your self.
And the proof of that claim can be found just where?
Before throwing muck at the OBA you might want to take a look at the demograhic makeup of the PLP. Not near a representation of Bermuda.
Can you be be more specific .
I do not throw muck at any body how can criticism be productive .
Unless they are standing in the way of progress .
THE ELECTION IS OVER AND DONE WITH.
We will right now ask our selves are we any better off?