Jason Hayward is running to succeed David Burt as leader of the Progressive Labour Party because he plans to “maximise” his work in politics.

Mr Hayward, the Minister of Economy and Labour, threw his hat into the ring on Sunday. Mr Burt will step down as leader, and therefore Premier of Bermuda, in October.

Mr Hayward was responding to his own comment in February 2023 in the House of Assembly in which he told MPs he had no intention of staying long in the political fray.

Yesterday, he said: “This is not an infinite world and so as politicians we are afforded time, and I want to maximise the work that I can do while here.”

In March 2023, David Burt, the Premier, rebuked Mr Hayward for stating in the House that he did not need votes from people who complained he had not knocked on their door.

Yesterday, Mr Hayward said: “I stand by the statement — the statement was in the context of canvassing and somebody putting their dog out. If you’re going to put the dog out, I’m not begging persons for their vote regarding that.

“Notwithstanding that, I have still been active in my community and I have worked hard for all of my constituents.”

This week, Mr Hayward, the Minister of Economy and Labour, insisted he was ready to lead both the PLP and the country — a view he said had been reinforced by party colleagues in recent months.

He told The Royal Gazette at the Bermuda Chamber of Commerce’s 2026 Budget Breakfast and Economic Forum that he would bring more experience to the role now than David Burt when he became Premier in 2017.

Mr Hayward announced his candidacy for the PLP leadership on Sunday during the party’s Founders Day celebration, saying he had the full support of Deputy Premier Zane DeSilva.

This week, he hailed Mr Burt’s example, saying: “The Premier has been an excellent mentor, he has been an excellent person to shadow and to watch. He has drive and motivation. I have been very close to him.”

He said Mr Burt continued to reassure him of the value his work brought to the party — and that addressing Bermuda’s high cost of living was “the No 1 priority” on his agenda.