Progress may finally be happening in St George’s but, according to Renee Ming, voters remain concerned about a lack of inclusiveness from the One Bermuda Alliance.

Ms Ming was yesterday unveiled as the Progressive Labour Party General Election candidate for St George’s North, a seat held by junior tourism minister Kenneth Bascome.

She said that while many constituents are feeling positive about construction developments taking place in the Olde Towne, they are also expressing disappointment at a sense of being left out by the ruling party.

Speaking at a press conference at Barrack Hill, Ms Ming said: “I have been on the doorsteps and in the houses of many of the constituents in Constituency 1 and I have heard the call for a more inclusive government — one that works with the people and values the contributions of all. I know that for us to move forward as a country, we must recognise that everyone matters.

“I believe in inclusion and always seek to garner the thoughts and ideas from the people I represent.”

Ground was broken on the airport development last week while, after many years of failed promises, a project to build a new hotel will, at last, commence tomorrow. Speaking about local voters, Ms Ming said: “When they look at St George’s, they are somewhat reasonably happy with what is happening, but then they look at Bermuda on the whole and it brings in that question of a lack of inclusion — not being heard and not being valued.”

After being elected as a councillor for the Corporation of St George in 2009, Ms Ming was appointed to a special committee to explore capital development opportunities. In May 2012, she was elected as an alderman before, in November 2012, becoming a candidate for St George’s West, a position she lost to the One Bermuda Alliance’s Nandi Outerbridge [then Davis] by just four votes.

Ms Ming was appointed to the Senate in the same year, and promoted to Opposition Senate leader in November 2016.

Opposition leader David Burt said: “This is what St George’s needs, this is what Constituency 1 needs, and this is what Bermuda needs.”

Mr Burt described Ms Ming as “a born St Georgian with a deep passion for St George’s and a proven track record of not only working for the St George’s community but also getting results”.

He continued: “What has impressed me most about Renee has been her driving passion to serve Bermuda without fear or failure. She is astute, she is trusted, she is a leader and she has demonstrated a track record of community service. Quite simply, she is the best choice to represent the Bermudians here in St George’s North.”

Ms Ming described her appointment as “an honour and a privilege” stating: “Let me say what you all already know, I love St George’s. St George’s is truly special to me — it is the parish in which I was born and raised.

“I was schooled at the island’s first public primary school — the best school in the universe — East End Primary School. I spent my formative years here and enjoyed the warmth and protection of family and friends in the homes and streets of this very constituency.

“Bermuda has been good to me and I feel compelled to do everything I can for her and her people.”

She said her priorities include improving the infrastructure of the Olde Towne, coming up with a working solution for the waste treatment centre, working with the Bermuda Police Service to ensure St George’s crime is kept to a minimum, ensuring the wellbeing of seniors and championing quality education.

She also pledged that good governance would be a key goal, adding: “Integrity, and I will say that again, integrity, is my core principle and the next PLP government will be committed to good governance. I will advocate for policies and procedures to ensure that we will be a good government for all of Bermuda.”