C25 Warwick North East Candidate Rollout – Remarks by Party Leader and Premier David Burt

Building a Fairer Bermuda: Introducing Joanne Ball Burgess for Constituency 25

Good Morning, PLP family, friends, supporters, members of the media, and the residents of Constituency 25, Warwick North East.

This election is about the kind of Bermuda we want to build—a Bermuda where fairness and opportunity are not just ideals we aspire to but realities that Bermudians deserve to see in their lives every day.

Delivering on Our Commitment to a Fairer Bermuda

Over the last seven years, the PLP Government has worked tirelessly to make Bermuda a fairer place for all—a place where:

✔ Residents and businesses are not overburdened by taxes
✔ Workers are protected
✔ Seniors can live with dignity

We have delivered by:

✅ Reducing taxes for 86% of workers and every local business
✅ Implementing Bermuda’s first-ever minimum wage
✅ Increasing pensions for seniors in line with inflation
✅ Making historic investments in affordable housing
✅ Expanding and increasing childcare assistance
✅ Eliminating duty on essential food items
✅ Reducing energy taxes to ease the burden on families

These are not just policies or promises kept—these are tangible steps toward building a fairer Bermuda.

However, our work is not yet done.

A Strong Team for the Road Ahead

We must continue the work necessary to ensure no Bermudian is left behind. To do this, we need a team of leaders with a track record of delivering positive change and uplifting those around them.

After discussions with Senator Arianna Hodgson and the Constituency 25 branch, a decision has been made to move forward with a new candidate for the upcoming election.

While Senator Hodgson will not contest the seat on behalf of the PLP, we sincerely thank her for her contributions, her commitment to public service, and her work for Bermuda and the Progressive Labour Party. We look forward to her contributions in the future.

Introducing Joanne Ball Burgess: A Woman of Action

Today, I am proud to introduce a candidate who is:

✔ A woman of action
✔ A community leader
✔ An artist, an educator, and an entrepreneur

I am thrilled to announce that Joanne Ball Burgess will be the Progressive Labour Party’s candidate for Constituency 25, Warwick North East.

A Journey Rooted in Service & Empowerment

Born and raised in Warwick, Joanne is a proud Bermudian who has dedicated her life to:

✔ Empowering young people
✔ Preserving our culture
✔ Using creativity as a tool for education and transformation

Her educational achievements include:

📚 Bachelor of Arts in History and Philosophy – Oral Roberts University
📚 Master’s in Education and Organizational Management – Endicott College

A Global Impact in Education & Community Development

Joanne’s career has taken her around the world, where she has used her expertise and passion to uplift others.

🌍 In Kenya, she founded The Cottage School, an interdisciplinary educational institution that integrated STEM, life sciences, and the performing arts.

🌍 In Papua New Guinea, she developed education programs focusing on performing arts and therapeutic movements to support underserved communities.

Since returning to Bermuda, Joanne has continued her passion for education and community engagement by:

✔ Authoring best-selling children’s books
✔ Advancing environmental education programs for young people
✔ Launching Bermuda’s first Young Reporters for the Environment (YRE) competition

Additionally, Joanne has served as:

📢 Lead for Communications and Engagement in the Ministry of Education’s Reform Unit, where she worked to strengthen public engagement and ensure that critical initiatives were effectively communicated.

A Passionate Leader for Constituency 25

But more than her impressive resume, Joanne is the proud mother of three boys who inspire her to work for a brighter future for them and for Bermuda’s future generations.

Joanne understands that to create that brighter future, action is needed, and she has decided to get involved.

She is ready to listen, to work, and to help the PLP build a fairer Bermuda for all of us.

A Representative Who Will Deliver for Warwick North East

Warwick North East deserves a representative who is:

✔ Engaged in the community
✔ Committed to solutions
✔ Dedicated to fairness and progress

They will get that kind of representative in Joanne Ball Burgess.

She will bring fresh energy, innovative ideas, and a deep love for our island to her constituency and the House of Assembly.

Join Us in Supporting Joanne Ball Burgess

So, PLP family, I ask you to join me in welcoming Joanne Ball Burgess as the Progressive Labour Party’s candidate for Constituency 25.

Thank you.