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A 'truth that hurts' speech

Ira Philip
Updated: Nov 02, 2013 08:01 AM
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Progressive Labour Party members listen to leader Marc Bean at the party's 46th annual banquet at Hamilton Princess on Saturday night. Mr Bean he lamented the party losing the General Election of December 2012 as “Bermuda's first government of, and for, all Bermudians”.

The year-long celebration of the Golden Anniversary of the founding of Bermuda’s first political party, the Progressive Labour Party is now well ‘off the mark.’

And much credit for that goes in large part to a man named ‘Mark’, to be exact, Marc A R Bean, JP, MP, along with a large new-breed executive comprising new party chairman J Maynard Dill, his two deputy leaders, Mrs Tinee Furbert and veteran Derrick k Burgess, MP; and treasurer Stephen Todd.

Other party executives are Tulani Bulford, secretary-general; Francine Simons, assistant secretary-general; Zephyra Wilson, membership secretary; Rudolph Daniels, assistant treasurer; Jamahl Simons, public relations officer; Carmon Cyrus, party organiser; Reece Daniels, James Pace and Christopher Famous, assistant party organisers

In a ‘truth that hurts’ address, the Official Opposition Leader Marc Bean told more than 300 party members and friends they had reason to let their hair down (my words) Saturday night at Hamilton Princess Hotel.

Dine and dance tonight, he said. The party had experienced some significant successes since its inception 50 years ago, as well as some setbacks, such as loss of the government in last December to the now ruling One Bermuda Alliance party.

But in all its reverses, the PLP had shown great resilience, bouncing back a stronger, more disciplined party.

He reminded members how formation of the PLP in 1963, in the garage of Ryo Richardson, was the culmination of years of struggle by various factions against exclusion of the mass of Bermudians from democratic participation in the running of their country; against white domination, racial bigotry and against exploitation of workers.

Naming the Founding Members as men and women of vision who had kept the faith and stayed the course through some difficult and turbulent years, the party leader declared, “we see a New Bermuda, in which the talents of every Bermudian will be mobilised in building a humane society, in which social and economic justice is a reality, not just an ideal”.

Progressive Labour Party leader Marc Bean with his wife Simone-Smith Bean. The couple were married stateside exactly a year ago.
St Paul African Methodist Episcopal Church pastor Rev Nicholas Tweed invoked a blessing at the start of the celebration, with Deputy PLP Leader, MP Derrick Burgess.
Seated next to the head table were the nieces and nephews with spouses who are offspring of the family of the late Ryo Richardson. It was in his gaarage at the back of the old Green Lentern Restaurant, where the Progressive Labour Party was formed in 1963. Shown are Willard Richardson and wife Joan Richardson, Egbert Richardson, Shirley Richardson, Dawnette Tucker, nee Richardson and son Malike Richardson and his wife Leah.
PLP leader Marc Bean (centre) making his personal round to guests at each table, greeting City of Hamilton’s Deputy Mayor Donal Smith and his wife wife, Councillor George Scott (left), MP Rolf Commissiong (second from left).