Fresh resignations leave Bermuda Opposition party in turmoil
HAMILTON, Bermuda (CMC) — The Opposition Progressive Labour Party (PLP) was embroiled in fresh turmoil on Monday when its Senate leader Marc Daniels resigned from his Upper House post, just days after party leader Marc Bean retired from politics.
In a hard-hitting statement posted on social media site, Daniels cited “subterfuge and deceit” against former Opposition Leader Bean, 42, who stepped down on Friday — eight months after suffering a stroke. He is currently on medical leave.
The PLP, which was ousted from power in the December 2012 General Election by the One Bermuda Alliance, is expected to name a new party leader early this week.
Bean had been Opposition leader since former Premier Paula Cox lost her seat in the House of Assembly in the party’s 19-17 election defeat after 14 years in power. The next general election is due at the end of 2017.
A by-election will have to be held in Warwick South Central, Bean’s old constituency which he had represented for six years, after former PLP Premier Ewart Brown stepped down and retired from politics.
“I’m at peace,” Bean told reporters shortly after the PLP announced that his letter of retirement had been submitted to Ginny Ferson, the acting governor.
“My hands are clean, my heart is pure and my conscience is clear,” he added without spelling out his reasons for going into political retirement.
Divisions in the party became public last December when seven Members of Parliament (MPs) — Walton Brown, Derrick Burgess, Zane DeSilva, Rolfe Commissiong, Wayne Furbert, Kim Wilson and Glenn Blakeney, who has since retired from politics — left Bean’s shadow cabinet.
Daniels’ statement also accused rebel PLP MPs, along with the Acting Leader of the Opposition David Burt, of engaging in concerted “deceit” against Bean.
Daniels, a lawyer, hit out against dissenters within the PLP ranks, ranging from the leaking of details to the media and what he termed a “campaign” to depose the former leader.
His statement, which coincided with Monday’s Throne Speech, included his letter of resignation that was submitted on Saturday.
