The Progressive Labour Party has “high morale”, its outgoing chairman said yesterday.

Owen Darrell told The Royal Gazette: “I feel that under the leadership of David Burt, the party is doing positive things, especially for Bermudians.

“We are working every day to build a better and fairer Bermuda, just like our platform said a year ago.

“It has been a very productive year as far as the agenda that was set out and I think that the Cabinet has gone through that agenda. They haven’t taken it lightly, everything that they promised they have worked on, they’ve tried to bring results.

Mr Darrell was speaking as the party prepared for its annual delegates conference, which is scheduled to start tonight.

He has not put himself up for re-election as chairman, but is looking forward to the coming months.

Mr Darrell said: “The morale in the party is definitely high. I’m excited to see what the next steps are for the Progressive Labour Party.”

He said: “We had a platform that we were elected on and we have only just finished one year of the platform, so I’m excited to see what’s next, to see what boxes are going to be checked next.”

The theme of the conference is “Building a Better and Fairer Bermuda: The Next Chapter”.

The conference will begin with a public event from 6pm at St Paul’s Centennial Hall, when Mr Burt, the Premier, will give an opening-night address.

Mr Darrell said the audience could expect a “riveting speech” as well as tributes to members and “a few surprises”.

He added: “We are also commemorating 20 years since November 9, 1998, when the PLP first won the Government, led by Dame Jennifer Smith, so I think the Class of ’98 will be honoured in some way.

“The main event will be the speech by the leader — a brief year in review of what the party has done, all the accomplishments and then setting the next chapter, where we go from here, our next legislative agenda.”

Mr Darrell will also address the audience as he ends his year-long tenure. He said: “My speech will be more of a thank-you.”

Tonight’s event is open to the public, but only party delegates and members can attend the meetings tomorrow and Friday.

Delegates will vote to fill key positions, including deputy leader, which is being contested by backbencher Scott Simmons and incumbent Walter Roban.

Mr Darrell’s post and that of deputy chairman are also up for election.