Progressive Labour Party (Bermuda)
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| Bermuda Progressive Labour Party | |
|---|---|
| Leader | Hon. Dr. Ewart Brown JP, MP |
| Deputy Leader | Hon. Paula Cox JP, MP |
| Chairperson | David Burt |
| Founded | February 10, 1963 |
| Headquarters | Alaska Hall, 16 Court Street, Hamilton, Bermuda |
| Website | http://www.plp.bm |
| Bermuda |
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The Progressive Labour Party (PLP) is a political party in Bermuda. At the last elections (24 July 2003), the party won 51.6 % of popular votes and 22 out of 36 seats.
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[edit] Formation
The first political party in Bermuda, and the oldest still active, the PLP was founded in 1963 by Wilfred Mose Allen, Hugh Ryo Richardson, Albert Peter Smith, Edward DeJean, Walter N.H. Robinson, Austin Wilson and Dilton C. Cann. These seven had earlier met in Richardson's garage, before holding the first formal meeting of the PLP on February 10, 1963 in Robinson's office in Hamilton. Intended to appeal to working-class blacks, the first election platform called for equitable taxation, an end to racial discrimination, economic parity and welfare programs, as well as housing, educational and electoral reform.
Shortly after the PLP's formation, the constitution of Bermuda was altered to focus on party politics, and a General Election was called on 22 May, 1968. In the election, the party was soundly defeated by the newly formed, then-conservative, white United Bermuda Party. During the election, the party's leader, Walter Robinson, was defeated in his constituency and power was handed over to Lois Browne-Evans. Shortly after that defeat, a group splintered from the party to form the short-lived Bermuda Democratic Party (BDP).
In subsequent elections, the PLP slowly expanded its share of Parliament until 1983, where it began a noticeable slide. This was reversed several elections later in 1989.
[edit] Recent History
In 1996 Jennifer Meredith Smith succeeded to the leadership of the PLP upon the death of L. Frederick Wade. She led her party to victory in parliamentary elections in November 1998, in which the moderate United Bermuda Party, which had controlled the country since autonomy was gained in 1968, suffered an unprecedented defeat. The Progressive Labour Party again won parliamentary elections in July 2003, but less than a week later, future premier Ewart Brown led a party coup and Smith was forced to resign. The two parties agreed to a compromise candidate, Alex Scott, to become premier of Bermuda, while Brown would hold the deputy premiership. In late 2006, Brown led a second coup, ousting Scott in favour of himself.
[edit] Platform
Since 1998, the PLP has run on a "New Bermuda" platform. This platform promises equal opportunities for all, better jobs for Bermudians, economic empowerment, investor-friendly policies, macroeconomics stability, fiscal discipline, transparency and accountability, investment in people and infrastructure, preservation of the family and protection of the natural environment.
[edit] See Also
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