The end of an era

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Dale Butler, Dame Jennifer Smith, Paula Cox, Kim Swan for decades the names have been part of the political fray.

Premier Paula Cox had her Devonshire North West seat taken from her last night by the OBA’s Glen Smith.

Said Ms Cox, who’d held the seat for 16 years: “I think the voters spoke. It’s disappointing but the voters spoke. A good fight was waged by the Opposition and I think that they deserved their win.”

The OBA claimed other notable PLP scalps Education Minister and former Premier Jennifer Smith was defeated in St George’s North by Kenneth Bascome; Economy, Trade and Industry Minister Patrice Minors was humbled by Michael Dunkley in Smith’s North.

Meanwhile Dale Butler, who served the people of Warwick North East in Parliament for 14 years until last night, was voted out in favour of the OBA’s Mark Pettingill.

Said Mr Butler last night: “Tonight sees the culmination of a long campaign. To all those who sacrificed their time to assist with my campaign in ways too numerous to list, I thank you for your generosity.”

Former United Bermuda Party leader Kim Swan contested four general elections over a 25-year period before being elected MP for St George’s West in the 2007 general election. Immediately before entering the House of Assembly, he served for nine years as a UBP Senator, the last six of which were as Opposition Senate Leader.

He also served for close to four years as Leader of the United Bermuda Party starting 2008. He was forced to resign from that role in May 2011 after most of the party’s members quit to found the One Bermuda Alliance

He said last night after losing his seat to Nandi Davis of the OBA: “First, I give thanks to the Almighty for having afforded me the opportunity to have served the good people of St. George’s West in the House of Assembly for the past five years.

“Congratulations to Ms Nandi Davis on her victory in St George’s West and condolences to [PLP candidate] Mrs Renee Ming on her unsuccessful campaign.

“Strategically, a three-way race against the machineries of the two major parties always made this contest extremely difficult for an Independent.”

He added: “A huge thank you to the people of St George’s West. It has been an honour for me to represent the great people of St George’s West over the past five years as their Member of Parliament. Congratulations to the One Bermuda Alliance on winning the Government.”

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