Electoral boundary changes debate is lined up for House
Boundary changes which could jeopardise several MPs' seats in the House of Assembly are set to be debated this week.
A redrawn electoral map — thought to give Government MPs Patrice Minors, Dale Butler and Zane DeSilva less safe constituencies — was put together by the Boundaries Commission earlier this year.
The United Bermuda Party feared time had run out for the map to be rubber-stamped before the House goes down for the summer, meaning any upcoming election would operate under the outdated map.
But Premier Ewart Brown on Friday tabled a draft order on the report, meaning it is scheduled for debate and approval this week before being submitted to Governor Sir Richard Gozney.
The map was redrawn after population changes led to constituencies having differing numbers of residents, particularly St. David's which had a serious influx of voters.
Political observers say the changes have thrown open a number of seats, particularly Mrs. Minors in Smith's North; Mr. Butler in Warwick North East; and Mr. DeSilva in Southampton East Central — all of which gain probable UBP supporters.
Meanwhile, fellow Progressive Labour Party MPs Wayne Furbert and Glenn Blakeney are thought to have benefited by gaining more PLP voters in otherwise marginal potentially seats.
However, the boundary changes on their own are not widely considered enough to change the overall balance of power.
In a Ministerial Statement on Friday, Dr. Brown told the House: "Permit me to observe that these modifications to the constituency boundaries for Bermuda will take effect when next this House is dissolved and a General Election is called.
"As such, it is worth noting that these changes will affect me as a voter and not as a candidate."