Bermuda has seen eight Premiers since Walter Lister first entered the House of Assembly and, by the time he leaves, there will almost certainly have been a ninth.

Since 1976, he's served under Sir John Sharpe, Sir David Gibbons, Sir John Swan, Dr. David Saul, Dame Pamela Gordon, Dame Jennifer Smith, Alex Scott and Dr. Ewart Brown — the first five for the United Bermuda Party, the latter three for the Progressive Labour Party.

While in Opposition, he was also led by legendary PLP figures Dame Lois Browne Evans and Frederick Wade.

Here are some of the key events of the Sandys MP's political career:

1976: A General Election victory in Sandys South means Walter Lister, then in his early 30s, is the youngest member of the House of Assembly, representing the Opposition PLP;

1977: Bermuda erupts in riots — with hundreds of youths taking over Court Street and setting fire to shops — following the hangings of Erskine (Buck) Burrows and Larry Tacklyn.

1981: In an unprecedented industrial conflict, thousands of workers stage a General Strike over wages;

1984: The PLP is torn apart as four MPs are expelled before forming the National Liberal Party;

1985: Mr. Lister is just one of seven PLP MPs remaining after UBP Premier Sir John Swan takes advantage of the Opposition's disarray by calling a snap election;

1985-89: Mr. Lister is Shadow Works Minister, proving a constant thorn in Government's side on controversial issues surrounding the airport and the incinerator;

1996: PLP leader Frederick Wade dies with his party just a couple of years away from its historic first General Election win;

1998: The PLP sweeps to power, with Mr. Lister, along with his two nephews Dennis and Terry, among the party's first Government team;

2003: Immediately after the PLP wins its second General Election, Mr. Lister is one of 11 rebel MPs, led by Ewart Brown, to demand the departure of victorious Premier Dame Jennifer Smith. Alex Scott, not one of the rebels, later emerges as Premier;

2004: Mr. Lister joins the Cabinet as Minister without Portfolio under Mr. Scott;

2006: Mr. Lister takes Dr. Brown's Transport portfolio for two weeks as Dr. Brown launches his successful leadership battle with Mr. Scott;

2010: After 34 years in the House, Mr. Lister announces his retirement.