(UPDATE) The One Bermuda Alliance will be holding a press conference today (26 August). We will provide more information later. The live video can be viewed below.
Update: The press conference is still ongoing, but to quickly recap, the OBA has announced that former PLP Member of Parliament Vance Campbell has joined the OBA.
This follows the resignation from Cabinet earlier this month from Mr Campbell, who was first elected for C9 Smith West in 2020. We will update the full transcript of this morning’s press conference when possible.
Update 11:47 a.m.: Jarrion Richardson’s statement is below.
Today, the Member of Parliament for Constituency 9 (Smith West), Vance Campbell, left the Progressive Labour Party to join the One Bermuda Alliance. When Parliament resumes on Friday, 20 September 2024, Senator Campbell will move from his seat on the Government bench to sit with us in the Opposition.
This is an historic event, one that fundamentally changes the momentum and landscape of Bermuda politics for the benefit of all Bermudians. Senator Campbell served in the Progressive Labour Party for over 13 years, in various roles including Representative and Treasurer, and ultimately served as a Cabinet Minister when the Labour Party came to power. This was no easy decision, and there is no doubt that this news will lead to attempts to degrade, demoralise and disparage Senator Campbell.
Mr. Vance, I want you to know that we have stood up to the political bullies and will not leave you alone. We are inspired by the countless Bermudians who draw strength from serving our community, who find hope in our vision for a safe, secure and prosperous Bermuda, and who inspire us every day to move forward for future generations. Senator Campbell can better explain why he took this action, and I will defer to him. I will tell you what this means for the One Bermuda Alliance and all of Bermuda.
Since the 2020 General Election, the OBA has taken a deep look at our purpose, values and activities. We have rebuilt and built from the ashes of the old organisation a new organisation with a clear purpose, values and mission. We have brought together people with integrity, vision and resilience. We are ready to bring about a recovery for Bermuda.
Senator Campbell brings life experience, professional skills and depth of character to this community of equals. He joins a team that has zero tolerance for personal agendas or manipulative agendas. With you on our roster, we will have even greater discipline in the face of adversity, greater strength of character and putting service before self. For that, I am deeply grateful. Vance, welcome to the One Bermuda Alliance.
Vance Campbell’s statement is as follows:
Good morning to the people of Bermuda, and especially to the voters of Smith’s West Constituency 9. For over a decade I have proudly served the people of Smith’s West, first as a candidate in the 2012 election, then again in 2017, and finally, after the 2020 election, as your Member of Parliament for almost four years. Serving you has been the greatest honour of my life, working in your interests, listening to your concerns and helping to solve your problems.
When I first introduced myself as a candidate in 2011, I did so as a concerned father – a concerned father who wanted Bermuda to be better not just for my own children, but for all future generations of Bermudians. Simple, our children are the future of Bermuda. They must survive in the world we leave behind. So I went into politics with the hope that that “future Bermuda” would be better for all our children.
And I wanted to be part of a team that would deliver a better future. In 2011, I believed that team was the Bermuda Progressive Labour Party. 2011 seems like a long time ago, but including my work as a Central Committee Representative and Delegate, I have been actively involved for almost 14 years. That experience has given me much to evaluate. Sadly, today, in 2024, as I evaluate the years between 2011 and now, I have come to the conclusion that the party I joined so many years ago, the Bermuda Progressive Labour Party, is no longer the best option for securing a better future for Bermuda.
I can no longer visit my constituents in their homes and honestly tell them that I still have confidence in the PLP. I can no longer ask them to support me as a member of the PLP. There are people in politics who put their personal agenda above the nation. They put their personal interests above the interests of the island. I am not that kind of person. Not at all.
I have always believed that we are our brother’s keeper. We are here to help others. I believe that when called to serve, we must always put the interests of our people first. For these reasons, I resigned my membership of the Bermuda Progressive Labour Party this morning. My belief in service comes with a desire to work with those who strive to improve the lives of others. And I believe that in Bermuda today, we must rely on the talents of all of us. As an island, we must come together to solve our problems. That is who I am. That will always be who I am. And today, I am joining the One Bermuda Alliance.
Bermudians may want to know how I came to this decision. So I would like to answer some questions that may be asked, because I want the voters of Smith West to understand why my conscience has led me here. Let me give you a few thoughts on my decision. Firstly, I have been thinking about this move for some time. This is not a snap decision. Secondly, I could have remained a Minister or Member of Parliament and simply taken a salary. That is not who I am. For me, this is a matter of my personal integrity. Finally, you may ask why I did not quit. I have been in politics in one capacity or another for the last 13 or 14 years. Of course, I could have left politics completely.
But my job is not done. For me, this job must be about getting better outcomes for people. It’s about getting results, about making things better. There is still so much more to do to improve the lives of all the people on this island. Finally, let me tell you why I decided to join the OBA. It may seem odd for a politician to resign from Cabinet, and from a larger governing party to join a smaller opposition party. When I surveyed the political landscape, I saw the only viable option for me to continue my job was the One Bermuda Alliance.
My plan is to partner with their efforts, and now ours. And when I commit to something, I put 100% into it. To me, the OBA is a party with a shared vision for a better future. A team with the desire to make the changes we need. And a team with the ability to get things done. Restoring hope to Bermuda will undoubtedly require very difficult decisions. Providing a platform for our children to succeed will take hard work. Empty promises are meaningless. Action is needed. And if you believe in results like I do, it makes sense to identify those who can actually deliver. Today, I join the One Bermuda Alliance team.
I do so because I truly believe that the OBA is the best team to tackle the problems we all face. Bermuda needs bold leaders who will work hard to get the job done, and I am committed to being part of that effort. I would like to extend my sincere thanks to everyone who voted for me in Smith West. Please know that I am the same person you voted for. I will continue to work hard and serve you with integrity. To those who did not vote for me in the last election, please know that I will continue to work hard for you, too, and maybe one day I will earn your support. I would like to end here. Politics takes courage. It takes courage of conviction and personal courage.
I hope that as people see me take this bold step, they will say: “Maybe things don’t have to be this way. Maybe we can change for the better.” Things will be better if we can put our differences aside and work with people who share our vision of a better Bermuda. I welcome the opportunity to work with my new OBA colleagues to make this vision a reality. That way, we can leave Bermuda in a better state than when we found it. That way, our children will have a chance at a better life.
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