Dennis Lister, JP, MP

Speaker of the House | MP, Constituency #35, Sandys North Central
  • Political Leadership: Longest-serving MP since 1989, former Minister for Youth, Sports, Environment, and Works; Speaker of the House since 2017, advocating for parliamentary reform.
  • Community Involvement: Active in Sandys Parish as a member of “Friends of Sandys,” organizing local events like the Emancipation Walk and Parish 5k.
  • Global Engagement: CPA Executive Member and presenter at Commonwealth Parliamentary Association seminars, promoting good governance.
  • Personal Life: Married for 43 years, father of four, and active member of the Seventh Day Adventist Church, encouraging fatherhood and healthy living.

 

Meet Dennis

Dennis P. Lister was born and raised in Sandys Parish. He was educated in Bermuda and America, and has a degree in Business Administration. Without a doubt, he is a true Somerset fan and is regularly involved in the Sandys community. He is an active member of “Friends of Sandys” which is the community group that organizes the Cup Match Emancipation walk and the annual Sandys Parish 5k run and walk. Dennis is often seen talking with constituents as he moves about the community daily.  

Dennis is the longest-serving Member of Parliament, having been first elected to Parliament in 1989. Dennis served as the Shadow Minister for Youth, Sport and Recreation and Shadow Minister for Transportation. From 1998 to 2012, he sat as a Member of the first Progressive Labour Party Government and served as Minister for Youth, Sport and Recreation, Minister for the Environment, and the Minister for Works and Engineering. In 2017, when the Progressive Labour Party regained Government, Dennis was unanimously elected Speaker.

Speaker Lister believes it is important that the role of Parliament to examine and challenge the work of the Government  is valued and appreciated in the process of good governance. Speaker Lister has been a presenter in numerous Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) Post Election seminars throughout the Region. Recently, he was appointed to the CPA Executive as a Representative for the CARIBBEAN, AMERICAS AND ATLANTIC REGION. He is an active member of Commonwealth Overseas Territories Speakers Conference (COTSC) which was formed in 2022. Speaker Lister is committed to ensuring that the long-awaited Parliamentary Reform is implemented and that the House of Assembly is renovated to provide the infrastructure that a modern Parliament requires.  

Dennis and his wife Miranda have been married for 43 years. They are active members in the Seventh Day Adventist Church. They are proud parents to four sons and one daughter-in-law. Dennis encourages men to be active fathers in their children's lives. He and Mrs. Lister value regular walks and swims as part of their healthy lifestyle.