The Progressive Labour Party has unveiled three General Election candidates to go up against three of the One Bermuda Alliance’s key players.

Architect Curtis Richardson will take on Grant Gibbons in Paget East, barrister Kathy Simmons will challenge senator Jeff Baron in Warwick North East and political commentator Chris Famous will fight against Bob Richards in Devonshire East.

The OBA won all those seats comfortably at the 2012 election, and its three candidates are the economic development minister, national security minister and finance minister respectively.

However, the race may not be clear-cut in Warwick North East, where incumbent Mark Pettingill, formerly of the OBA, has said he could run as an independent candidate.

PLP veteran Dale Butler, who had previously voiced an interest in running for the Warwick North East seat again, was present yesterday. Speaking after the announcement, he said: “I am 100 per cent supportive of the newly selected PLP candidate Kathy Simmons, who will provide the leadership people want in this constituency.

“We need more women in Parliament, and constituents are excited about her selection.”

Speaking at Alaska Hall, Mrs Simmons said parliamentarians needed to focus on the interests of the public and that a PLP government would put Bermudians first.

She said; “Under a PLP government, the public narrative will change from one purposely designed to demean and dehumanise Bermudians to one that celebrates the social and economic advancement that Bermudians will achieve when our education system is properly funded, when cost-effective options are provided for our seniors to enable them to live with dignity and when policies which promote economic empowerment and independence are implemented.

“People seem ready for change. As a wife and mother of three young sons, I have a vested interest in the success of Bermuda, and I will work tirelessly to ensure my sons have the same opportunities for success as others.

Speaking to her constituents, she said the cost of senior care and the general economy was a major concern.

Mr Richardson was proud to be selected as a candidate. He said: “I look forward to being part of the solution to lifting the stigma that has been cast upon the PLP. We have collectively listened, we have learnt.”

He said more must be done to ensure there are opportunities for Bermudians as even those with a college education have a hard time finding work.

Richardson said: “There was once a day when the most prominent goal was to travel abroad to get a degree in any chosen field and one just could not wait until graduation to return to Bermuda to give back to their beloved country and serve its people,” he said. “This was the most popular goal of my generation of education seekers.

“However, in the current environment, too many are returning home and having to settle for jobs in other fields or having to search for months or even years to acquire a job. This must change.”

He said that speaking to the people in the constituency, the overriding concern from the public is the condition of the island’s economy.

Mr Famous said he was more than proud to be running in Devonshire East and he attacked the record of One Bermuda Alliance.

“Bermuda needs new energy and new blood in our politics,” he said. “The government we currently have is not performing satisfactorily or in the best interest of all Bermudians.

“The OBA government has disrespected our people continually for the past 4½ years. This disrespect is not simply due to disagreements over policy, but it has been through their words and deeds.

“Seniors have been told money doesn’t grow on trees, yet we have seen money allocated to America’s Cup at the expense of seniors’ pensions, school maintenance, and technology improvements.”

He said residents in the constituency have a range of concerns but said that “The overall concern is that of representation, the representation they have had for the last ten years. That’s the biggest concern”.