As the counting of votes neared an end in Pembroke West Central late on Tuesday evening, soon-to-be premier David Burt could be heard making a request to his party’s press officer.

It was clear to all that the Progressive Labour Party was sweeping to power in the General Election and that Mr Burt would soon be the island’s new leader.

“Tell my family I want them here,” he said over the phone, his wife, Kristin, by his side.

The couple, holding hands and looking happy, was waiting for the final result in Mr Burt’s constituency, while PLP supporters had already begun celebrating on Court Street. Minutes later, cars starting pulling into the school grounds, and family members poured out.

“We were at Alaska Hall and we heard him say he wants his family,” said Mr Burt’s older sister, Winsome Burt-Smith, who had been at Northlands Primary School to support him during voting hours with their mother, Merlin Burt.

“We all ran and jumped in three cars, four cars. We all dashed out, we didn’t want to miss it.”

Ms Burt-Smith said that reaction was typical for a family which fiercely protects its “baby” brother. Mr Burt, 38, is the youngest of six siblings and Ms Burt-Smith told The Royal Gazette: “He was born when I was 15 years old, so we raised him. You know, you nurture your little ones. He is the baby.”

Describing her brother as a “miracle baby” — born despite complications during their mother’s pregnancy — she said it was clear from a young age that he was exceptionally smart.

He attended Saltus Academy but his sister said he left at a young age to seek a fresh challenge, heading to Florida Air Academy and qualifying as a pilot.

He excelled there and, later, at George Washington University, where he obtained a bachelor of business administration in finance and information and a master of science in information systems technology. He was awarded the university’s presidential administrative fellowship.

“Whatever David does, he does it well and along the way he always lifts up others,” said his sister. “He has nurtured so many kids, he’s got friends in every country, of every colour. We knew for a long time he would be successful.

“People don’t really know him because he never really speaks about himself [but] he’s a very kind person and, if you see his circle of friends, you’ll be surprised.

“He’s got people from Norway, India, he’s got friends from all over the world, he just embraces people.

“He’s very caring, very kind and he listens to people. He doesn’t seem to judge you. He talks to everybody and I like that about him.”

She said their mother taught all the siblings to be strong, kind, respectful and loving to one another.

“We are very protective of David,” said Ms Burt-Smith. “If someone tries to hurt him or do him wrong, we become like wild beasts. And now we have to be even more [so].

“We just let stuff roll over us but if something really matters, if something’s important, wait and see. But you can’t fight everybody.

“You pick your battles: [you ask] is it worth fighting? Some things are not. They paint things bad about him and he never wanted to state [otherwise]. He would say: ‘I know who I am’.”

Ms Burt-Smith said her brother would be a “great leader” who would push his team to work hard “because he works hard”.

“He expects a lot from his people and that’s why he chooses them. They have to have that motivation and I think a lot of them do have that. When you have a good leader, you become good yourself.”

When the PLP’s victory was assured on Tuesday night, Ms Burt-Smith threw her arms into the arm, yelling “My brother is premier! Thank you Jesus!”

Mr Burt shouted “Hallelujah!” when the final count came in for Pembroke West Central, before embracing his wife, his relatives and supporters.

The father of two-year-old daughter Nia and one-year-old son Ed insisted life at home would continue as normal. First thing yesterday, he posted a picture on social media of his youngest child.

“First order of business today: changing my son’s diaper,” wrote the man about to take charge of Bermuda. “Will be going to Government House at 3pm to get sworn in as Premier.”