John Gibbons resigns as PLP candidate for personal reasons
In a decision that Premier Paula Cox admitted was “less than ideal in terms of timing”, the Progressive Labour Party’s candidate for St George’s West, John Gibbons, has resigned, citing personal reasons.St George’s resident and former Parish Council member Renée Ming has stepped forward to run in Mr Gibbons’ stead.The switch was declared with Nomination Day “just on the cusp of the horizon”, Ms Cox said, with a general election a mere 30 days away — but she denied suggestions that the former candidate had been required or advised to resign.Characterising his withdrawal strictly as a private matter, the Premier thanked Mr Gibbons for his “energy, passion and support”, and said he remained “a rising star”.Ms Ming, 40, a resident of Redcoat Lane in St George’s, vowed to “stand strong” for her constituents.Although she isn’t legally required to, she said she’d also stepped down as alderman for the Corporation of St George’s.She was elected councillor in 2009, and rose to alderman in the municipal elections in May of this year that saw Mayor Kenneth Bascome re-elected. Mr Bascome will also be running next month, for the One Bermuda Alliance in St George’s North.In the district next door, Ms Ming will go up against Constituency 2 incumbent, independent Kim Swan, and OBA hopeful Nandi Davis.“Those who know me know that I am committed to family, and St George’s is a family,” Ms Ming said before a Party audience at Alaska Hall.Ms Ming vowed to get “boards off shop windows” in the Old Town, reopen St George’s Golf Course with all Bermudian staff, and “put an end to the notion that St George’s is a ghost town”.In a light hearted moment, she added: “I don’t see any support for a tollbooth on the Causeway.”Like Ms Davis, Ms Ming is a rookie candidate, which she acknowledged by saying: “I may be new to this, but I bring a fresh perspective and a strong voice.”She noted crime was a leading concern among constituents but made several references to the Old Town’s economic difficulties.A similar theme was voiced by Mr Gibbons when his candidacy was announced in March of this year, when the Premier called him “a young man for our times”.“John is just going to take a different route now in his Parliamentary career,” Ms Cox said yesterday. “But I certainly value and welcome his ongoing commitment.”
Just-resigned Progressive Labour Party candidate John Gibbons, a former student activist noted for his flair as a speaker, emerged as a Progressive Labour Party candidate for St George’s West as early as 2010.
After facing challenges in Party primaries when the constituency boundaries were altered, Mr Gibbons was reaffirmed as a candidate in March of this year.
The 38-year-old was often characterised as a “rising star”, and among the new blood of candidates for the PLP.
Mr Gibbons stood strong on environmental principals, as well as urging for St George’s to bank on its cultural assets as a magnet for visitors to improve business.
An unwelcome stroke of publicity came over the summer, however, following a strongly-worded exchange on the Facebook site Bermuda Election 2012.
A thread on the page Bermuda Election 2012 forum in July saw Mr Gibbons apparently berating musician Mike Hind at length.
The “rant” was referenced last month by Bermuda Sun columnist Bryant Trew.
Mr Gibbons — whose personal Facebook page is currently deactivated — subsequently apologised for the remarks.
