Premier Michael Dunkley (C) announcing the general election will be on July 18, 2017
HAMILTON, Bermuda — The next general election in Bermuda will be on July 18, Premier Michael Dunkley announced on Thursday evening.
The premier, joined at the ruling One Bermuda Alliance (OBA) headquarters by his Cabinet colleagues, ended weeks of speculation by confirming that he has gained assent from the governor, John Rankin, for the writ of election that will be officially gazetted on Friday.
The announcement came in the wake of a statement from the leader of the opposition, Progressive Labour Party (PLP), David Burt, challenging Dunkley to announce a date for new elections, or face a motion of no confidence on Friday in the House of Assembly, with two OBA founding members now both sitting as independents after quitting the ruling party, thereby rendering it a minority government.
However, Dunkley disputed suggestions that his hand had been forced by the impending motion against him, saying he had contemplated five different dates for the election.
“Two have passed, two are in the future, and this is the one that matters – I have called it,” he said.
One of the reasons for favouring July was the presence of students back home on holiday, he said.
An election manifesto is to be published in a couple of weeks’ time. Meanwhile, Dunkley spoke out against negative campaigning, saying that “people in Bermuda do not like divisive politics – political parties are distrusted for that approach”.
Earlier Thursday, Burt said the British territory had “suffered” under a government that had “divided us and ignored the needs of too many”.
“For our part, the PLP will continue to focus on bringing new, energetic and strong leadership that seeks to serve all Bermudians, not just the chosen few,” he said.
