PLP On Voter Turnout, OBA, Politics & More
“The fact that not every registered voter cast a ballot is something we take seriously,” the PLP said, adding “that is why our MPs / Senators and candidates will be redoubling efforts to contact and build relationships with those who did not get to the polls.”
A spokesperson said, “The recent opinion piece by the OBA raises concerns about voter turnout and the strength of our mandate. And while we disagree with their conclusions, we welcome the conversation, because serving for our people is not just about winning elections; it is primarily about listening, learning, and constantly working to serve the people better.
“The fact that not every registered voter cast a ballot is something we take seriously. That is why our MPs / Senators and candidates will be redoubling efforts to contact and build relationships with those who did not get to the polls.
“Elections however are decided by those who do actually show up, and the voters who did participate gave the PLP a strong mandate to continue leading. More importantly, they gave us a responsibility, not just to govern, but to listen.
“We recognize that our democracy must evolve to reflect the realities of modern life. Many of our young people and Bermudians working or studying overseas want to have a say in their country’s future.
“We hear you loud and clear.
“That’s why we will be introducing absentee voting, so that every Bermudian student or working overseas, no matter where they are, has the opportunity to participate in shaping the direction of our island.
“The OBA has a role to play as opposition, but let us be crystal clear: in the last 3 General Elections 65% of voters consistently rejected their plans for Bermudians..
- Bermudians rejected their leadership.
- Bermudians rejected their candidates
- Bermudians rejected their agenda including Pathways to Status.
- Bermudians ensured that the OBA came dead last or near last in 6 constituencies
“As we engage in trying to establish, reestablish or strengthen our ties with our people, the OBA should consider getting themselves sorted out before going on the attack.
“The OBA has an opportunity before them. They can choose to reflect on why voters, including many independents, rejected their vision. They can engage in the real work of offering solutions, of building trust, and of putting forward ideas that serve all Bermudians. The PLP welcomes that challenge because when the debate is about real solutions, Bermuda wins.
“The PLP was re-elected because we put forward a vision focused on making life better and fairer for all Bermudians, by lowering the cost of living, driving down healthcare costs, and expanding opportunity. And we remain committed to delivering on that promise.
“We encourage Bermudians to come out to the reading of the Throne Speech on March 14 to hear what we will be doing over the next year.”
““The fact that not every registered voter cast a ballot is something we take seriously,” the PLP said,”
Seriously? Less than 55% voter turnout and you say “not every registered voter cast a ballot”?
The PLP won pandering to the seniors, an ever growing segment of Bermuda. Little was done for the younger generation, and many of them were disenfranchised by the timing of the election. The PLP do not have a mandate to what they want.
The PLP had better hope those without a vote don’t express themselves. Who are these non voters? Foreign banks who hold Bermuda’s debt; IB who provides the bulk of Government’s revenue, and expats who keep places like the hospital functioning. If they decide enough is enough, votes and elections will be meaningless.
agreed. scare tactics. when a party cannot hope to gather enough votes because they dont have the support, they create that support by scaring people. the fact they actually started talking about pathways to status, morgans point and the airport are prime examples. pathetic.
“Who are these non voters?”
In order for your name to be on the voters register (Parliamentary Register) you must be (a) a person 18 years of age or older, not a company or a bank, (b) possess Bermuda status, and (c) be ordinarily resident in Bermuda on election day.
Joe, my reference to the non voters was to highlight the financial clout they carry as opposed to political. For example, IB will start to downsize as A1 takes away many of the jobs, reducing payroll tax. The impact will be far reaching, and the PLP are not smart enough to be planning for such an upheaval. Have they ever planned for anything?
you dont have a mandate PLP. you are illegitimate.
Yet more of a mandate than any of the other options.
Just stop already! It was by design! The PLP called a snap election which was done with the strategy being that the opponents would not be as prepared as they could be regarding candidates, platform and more. The side effect is that the public did not have as much time to register as they might have. Additionally, the countries literal future and arguably the best and brightest were shut out because they were overseas studying. Many of the youth are know to be disenfanchized withthe government so it would be fair to say many would not vote for them but rather against them. Again, very likely a tactic used to increase their odds of winning. Good stategy.
You got what you wanted and get to work. Just stop with the bull. If you were truly concerned about the voter turn out you would not have done what you did. You were in power, you selected the date and it was all by design. If you didnt know exactly what you were doing, that would be even worse becasue that would tell us that you are clueless! Which is it?
Snap election! What you are you living under a bridge like a troll. Everyone knew the election was coming. The OBA begged the PLP to call the election now get over it because the OBA will never win again.
Yes excellent strategy!The opposition asked for it so they got it!
The OBAUBP is wasting time being opposition. Less voters came out, but those same voters choose not to vote with a bunch of surrogates.
27% of the electorate is not a “strong mandate”.
The P.L.P. and the O.B.A. know full well why the voter turn out was low in the last two elections ,so, why are they begging for answers .
Those people who did not vote had reason .