Today, the Progressive Labour Party negotiating team went into negotiations with our colleagues at the One Bermuda Alliance in the hope of scheduling a Leadership Debate before the general election. Leadership Debates are commonplace in elections around the world, including the UK and elsewhere.

The OBA had no interest in holding a Leadership debate. Instead, they were looking for a series of Ministerial and Shadow Ministerial Debates. There’s nine days left and there is not time to organize such a series.

We are disappointed that Premier Dunkley declined to debate Leader Burt. The people deserved an open debate between the Leaders. It’s clear that Premier Dunkley is ducking the debate because he prefers not to talk about the OBA’s loss of 2,000 jobs, their mismanagement of a public education and the skyrocketing cost of living under their watch. The OBA has worked for one Bermuda, and, it’s left the rest of us behind. 

Michael Dunkley is ducking debates because he knows that, under his leadership, the divide between the two Bermudas has gotten worse. Bermuda deserves better than a Premier that ducks debates. It’s time for a government that puts Bermudians first.