The past several weeks I’ve spent on the doorsteps of Constituency 13 residents have not only been insightful, but rewarding and enlightening. This is a community of hard-working people, who, like myself, want to see our Island thrive.

Residents have spoken to me about playgrounds needing repair, crosswalks needing to be placed and trash disposal concerns. A message that has come through loud and clear is that the people of Constituency 13 truly desire to see our Island reach its full potential and to depart from the path the country is heading down at present.

In the Reply to the Throne Speech, Progressive Labour Party leader Marc Bean outlined not only the PLP’s strong stance on good governance, but additionally, our vision of where we need to go as a country in reforming education, fiscal prudence, healthcare reform and diversifying the economy to create more opportunities for Bermudians.

With so many Bermudians struggling to make ends meet, a government that works for everyone and that has a plan that includes everyone, is needed now more than ever. With the support of the people of Constituency 13, I will be an advocate for you in Parliament and stand for the continued improvement of the conditions in which Bermudians have struggled for too long.

My time in the Senate has given me the opportunity to understand the weaknesses that exist within the Government and has given me a passion for breaking with the status quo so that we can take a new and better approach to handling the people’s business and the people’s purse.

As a parent, I understand the importance of creating a Bermuda that will allow all our children to thrive, to have a secure future and to reach their full potential. This desire is not unique to me as a parent and as such I plan to be a voice for parents, ensuring that our education system provides a strong curriculum for students and greater opportunities for further education and training that is in line with the needs of our economy.

To this end, I also plan to work to see that our financial position is scrutinised and analysed for the protection of the shared assets we possess, and that our children will inherit.

Talking with our seniors while on the doorsteps, I have heard the concerns about healthcare costs and accessibility. With pensions barely covering expenses, I plan to continue to advocate the PLP position of a more affordable, holistic and naturopathic healthcare system, creating a healthier society now and into the future.

There is much work to do to get our Island where it needs to be. However, I am committed to that undertaking and look forward to continuing to reach out and connect with my fellow Bermudians in the time ahead.

— Diallo Rabain, the Opposition Senate Leader, is the PLP by-election candidate for Devonshire North Central on February 4