PLP’s Jason Hayward Calls for Unity & Dialogue
PLP leadership candidate Jason Hayward is “calling on PLP members, supporters and all parties involved in the current internal dispute to put the Party’s purpose and future ahead of individual personalities and interests.”
“No one is bigger than the programme, and no one is bigger than the Progressive Labour Party,” Mr. Hayward said. “Our purpose must come before our personalities, and the interests of the Party must come before any individual.”
Mr. Hayward said he entered the leadership contest prepared to have his record, experience and vision judged by the membership of the PLP.
“I stood up to be judged by the members of the PLP. I have put my record, my experience and my vision before the membership, and I am prepared to respect the decision of our members,” he said.
However, Mr. Hayward expressed concern about “the growing division within the Party and allegations surrounding efforts to significantly expand membership in a manner intended to influence the internal leadership vote.”
“Whether people agree on the concerns being raised or not, we cannot ignore the reality that this situation is creating division, distrust and uncertainty within our Party,” he said.
“The PLP must still be here after this contest is over. Our branches must still be strong. Our members must still be able to work together. And our movement must remain focused on the people we exist to serve,” he added.
“We need to put purpose over personalities, the Party over ourselves, and unity over division,” Mr. Hayward said. “It is time for everyone involved to get around the table, talk to one another in good faith and find a way forward.”
He also called for the “parties involved in the dispute to resolve their differences through dialogue rather than continued legal proceedings” saying “the courts cannot rebuild our branches, restore trust between members or strengthen our movement. That requires us to sit down together and find common ground.”
Mr. Hayward said the PLP’s responsibility extends beyond the current leadership contest, saying that “there will be a day after this leadership contest. On that day, Bermudians will still need the Progressive Labour Party to fight for working people, families, young Bermudians and our communities.
“We have a responsibility to protect the PLP, preserve its values and ensure that it is stronger for the generations that come after us.”
Mr Hayward’s statement comes in advance of this evening’s Central Committee Meeting, where the “executive will provide an update on the current Court proceedings and seek instructions from the Central Committee on the Party’s next steps.”
I think you need to tell that to your boss, Smithers!
Mr. Burns:
“We don’t need to negotiate with these union thugs, Smithers. We’ll simply shut off the power to the entire city. Let them sit in the dark, cold vacuum of their own poverty until they learn to respect the hand that feeds them.”
So tell Burt to cease what he’s doing, as it prevents other members from participating in the decision regarding who assumes the leadership role.
This reminds me of not allowing overseas Bermudians and students to vote in elections. This is all about what’s best for the PLP vote.
I think it’s called “stacking the vote,” which the PLP are completely OK with when it is to their benefit.
Did the vote happen already and Mr. Hayward named as the heir to Mr. Burt as Premier? His photograph seems to accompany all messages to the Party so it’s making me wonder.
Sadly in modern politics popularity rules and qualifications do not count
PLP taking a page out of Trump’s Playbook?