Stuart Hayward (pictured), the Independent candidate for Pembroke West Central, is hoping for the opportunity to address Pembroke residents at a forum to be organised by the parish council.

The council has organised separate public meetings for the candidates of the two main political parties, Neletha ButterNeletha Butterfield and Erwin Adderley, but is still trying to find a way to fit Mr. Hayward in.

Yesterday Mr. Hayward sent a press statement congratulating the council for hosting the meetings and making the effort to accommodate him.

“The Council's effort to assist constituents in hearing election platforms and sharing in all the questions asked and answers given is a further step toward a fully open political process in Bermuda,” he said.

The first meeting begins at 7 p.m. tonight at West Pembroke School. Members of the public are invited to attend and speak directly to Progressive Labour Party (PLP) candidates Ottiwell Simmons, Nelson Bascome, Wayne Perinchief, Neletha Butterfield, Calvin Smith, Neville Darrell and Ashfield DeVent.

Another meeting for United Bermuda Party (UBP) candidates will be held at the same venue next week Wednesday.

Yesterday Quinton Binns, a member of the Parish Council committee which organised the meetings, said that while they anticipated that the meetings may not attract an audience that crossed party lines, the political parties themselves had said they preferred separate meetings.

“We anticipated that at the beginning but the parties preferred to speak independently,” he said. “Both parties preferred to be separate. We're trying to be informational not confrontational. The PLP will give information to the constituents about their ambition if they are elected.”

He said he will be discussing with the committee tonight to see how Mr. Hayward can be accommodated.

“If possible we are going to do our best to accommodate, if possible, the night before the election. We're trying to do our best to make sure nobody is left out. We believe this is a first for any area.”

Mr. Hayward said a third meeting the night before the election could well be a “blessing in disguise”.

“Of course, I'm working to canvass the entire constituency by election day, but if that's not possible, this meeting will give those Pembroke West Central residents who I may have been unable to visit in their homes an opportunity to meet with me directly.”