Premier Delivers Closing Campaign Remarks
PLP Leader and Premier David Burt delivered his closing election campaign remarks today [Feb 17], calling this General Election “a choice that will shape our island’s future not just for the next few years, but for the generations that follow. ”
Premier Burt said, “Over the last 39 days, this team behind you has visited you in your homes, engaged with you in your communities, and listened to you as you shared your challenges, Tomorrow, Bermuda will make a choice. A choice that will shape our island’s future not just for the next few years, but for the generations that follow.
|
“This Progressive Labour Party team wants a Bermuda where hard work moves you forward, not leaves you struggling. A Bermuda where our Bermudian children, no matter their last name, no matter their background, have a fair shot at success. A Bermuda where our seniors can retire with dignity. And a Bermuda where fairness isn’t just a word but a reality for every Bermudian, black and white, and Bermudians of all shades We have heard you. Rising costs have hurt all families across the globe, and Bermuda is no exception.
“No government can solve a global crisis, but we can lighten the burden on our families. Over the past few years, that has been our guiding principle: to stand with you, work for you, and deliver a Bermuda that is more fair and more just. When we introduced Bermuda’s first-ever minimum wage, it wasn’t just for Black Bermudians—it was for all Bermudians. It helped every working man and woman who put in an honest day’s work but was struggling to make ends meet.
“When we raised pensions every single year, that didn’t just benefit Black seniors—it helped all seniors. Because after a lifetime of working, all Bermudians deserve security, no matter the color of your skin. When we expanded eligibility for childcare assistance and made it more affordable, it was because we believe every Bermudian parent, no matter their circumstance, should be able to give their children the best possible start in life.
“When we cut taxes for 86% of workers to the lowest level in history—putting an average of 1,500 dollars back in your pockets—while requiring those who earn more to pay more, it benefitted the vast majority of Bermudians at a time when Bermudians needed support. When we invested record amounts in affordable housing, delivering 70 homes and providing support for 40 Bermudians to buy their first home, Bermudians from all walks of life benefited. When we fought to protect Bermudian jobs, we didn’t ask what race you were before we stood up for you. We didn’t ask what party you voted for.
“We stood up for you, as Bermudians, because that’s what fairness demands. These changes, which benefit all Bermudians, happened because this Progressive Labour Party, represented by this team today, has been rooted in the vision of a fairer Bermuda for all since its founding. But….. There are some who don’t believe in this kind of fairness. Some who spoke out against the minimum wage.
“Some who cut social programmes for struggling families and slashed scholarships when they were in Government. Some who increased taxes on workers to the highest level in history, leaving many hardworking families behind. Some who worked to protect the privileged , while the rest of us were told to wait our turn. Some who were determined to give away the Bermudian birthright through pathways to status. Bermuda, you and your family cannot afford to go back. Tomorrow, you have a choice—indeed in our view, a clear choice.
“While many other candidates have stepped forward in this election, only the Progressive Labour Party or the One Bermuda Alliance will lead the next government. If you decide not to vote, or if you cast your ballot for an Independent or the FDM – you risk waking up Wednesday up to an OBA government that believes it’s “too expensive” to help our seniors, has a record of underfunding public education, and is determined to change our immigration system through ‘pathways to status’- and you will have to live with that Government for five long years.
“Bermuda, you and your family cannot afford to go back. However, that doesn’t mean we haven’t heard the call for fresh perspectives. We recognise that Bermudians want a government that reflects a broader range of ideas and voices. If we are returned to office, we will reach out to Independents and the Free Democratic Movement to ensure their ideas are heard and considered. We believe a fairer Bermuda isn’t built by one party alone—it requires all of us working, side by side for a brighter future.
“But what does that future hold? This PLP has presented realistic plans to address the most pressing issues facing our island while supporting Bermudians through every phase of life. Our platform entitled “Building a fairer, more stable, more affordable Bermuda” – focuses on ensuring Bermuda is more affordable. Controlling essential food prices so nobody has to break the bank for basic groceries. Building on our record of delivering affordable housing, including rent-to-own opportunities for young Bermudians.
“Expanding access to healthcare, with a primary care visit under HIP and specialist visits under FutureCare, on our way to delivering universal healthcare – which will reduce co-pays while ensuring all Bermudians have access to affordable healthcare – including mental healthcare. We will open a new Senior Daycare Centre to relieve the pressure on the “sandwich generation”, those who are struggling to take care of their ageing parents while raising a family of their own. And yes, we will continue to increase seniors’ pensions.
“We will expand scholarships, enhance technical education, and give our young people even more support so they can thrive as they prepare to build the Bermuda of tomorrow. But beyond the policies on paper, this election is about you and your family. It is about who will walk beside you through both sunny days and through storms. We are not perfect, and we haven’t gotten everything right, but we have proven our commitment time and again, demonstrated that our hearts are in the right place, and this team is prepared to face whatever global challenge the next five years will bring.
“We have stood with you through a pandemic, taking on a once-in-a-century health crisis. We have worked to soften the blow of a turbulent global economy, reducing taxes and increasing support for you in times of need.
“That is what it means to govern with fairness at the heart of every decision. So, when you go to the polls tomorrow, ask yourself who will keep moving us toward a fairer Bermuda—who will keep fighting for your seniors, your children, and you. The answer is Team PLP: men and, most importantly, a record number of women who are dedicated to progress for every Bermudian, not just a privileged few. And, If we earn your trust and your vote, we promise to continue on this path, forging a brighter, more inclusive future for our island home.
“Let’s choose unity over division, hope over fear, and fairness over inequality. So we are asking you—whether you are young or old, Black, white or in between, business owner or worker—to stand with us. Because there is nothing Bermudians cannot achieve when we come together. So tomorrow, let’s vote for fairness. Let’s vote for opportunity. Let’s vote for progress. Let’s build a fairer Bermuda for all of us, together. Thank you. May God bless you, your family, and our beloved island that we call home – Bermuda.”
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 109 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
Vote PLP if you want gentrification, more foreign ownership of your Bermuda, and falling apart bridges roads buildings, fences and parks and buildings.
Vote PLP if you want your children to grow up knowing that they can never afford to buy a home and have to leave Bermuda.
If you want none of the above, then vote for someone else.
So votes for the Independents or FDM will allow the OBA to win. That means Burt is seeing votes lost from the PLP, not the OBA, going to these candidates. That’s a pretty damning vote of perceived no confidence in the PLP.
Vote anyone but the PLP is Burt’s feeling of what should happen based on performance.
The fact the PLP has the gall to praise itself and its record in the face of all the issues Bermuda currently is up against is an insult to every Bermudian. Issues, which predominantly have been either a direct result of their governance (or more fittingly, lack thereof), or have been unchanged because it obfuscates their performance being put under the spotlight.
The PLP promises everything, delivers practically nothing and yet, they have Bermuda in a chokehold. We need a change and I’m afraid this incarnation of the PLP will never be the ones to provide that, they simply benefit too greatly from the status quo they demonise at every opportunity. Forget not, the PLP are the status quo.
We’ll unfortunately probably have to suffer another term of an insufferable PLP government though. Only increases we’ll see will be in the volume and size of our potholes. Yay!
Looks like the obaubp will be changing the name again after today.
Are you the PLP ChatGP robot? You are the master of changing your name and a classic example of the lack of independent thought in so much of the population.
IF this election is being used a a tool of revenge to divide the people, that may sink Bermuda beneath the waves ..
BE CAREFULL WHAT YOU PRAY FOR .
LOOK HERE !
WE ALL NEED ONE ANOTHER AND DON’T YOU FOR GET IT
When the UBP=oba used to win it was called a victory. Now that this party has lost 25% of black voters that helped it win you call it revenge to divide the people. This is why the UBP=oba keep losing.