By Neville Tyrell JP, MP for Constituency #26 Warwick South Central
While it is true that the Progressive Labour Party (PLP) has grown and evolved over the years, we remain firmly committed to the values of our founders—values of equality, justice, fairness, and progress.
Guided by the vision of leaders like Dame Lois Browne-Evans and Freddy Wade, the PLP has continued to advocate for a Bermuda that works for all its people, not just a privileged few.
Delivering Policies That Put People First
Our policies reflect this commitment:
✔ Raising pensions for our seniors when others would not
✔ Introducing Bermuda’s first minimum wage
✔ Slashing taxes for 86% of Bermudian workers while raising taxes on the wealthy
✔ Expanding access to affordable childcare
✔ Building more affordable housing
✔ Expanding opportunities for homeownership
✔ Increased investment in scholarships, technical education, and work skills training
A Legacy of Fighting for the People
In one of our earliest platforms, the PLP stated:
"The programme deals with social measures such as housing and education; problems which must be resolved so that our people can live to the fullest and so that Bermuda's most vital resource, its people, can be developed."
From the start, the PLP proposed a Ministry of Housing, whose mandate would be to:
"Build housing projects which would be maintained at the highest standard and made available to working-class families for a reasonable rent."
Tax Reform Rooted in Fairness
On finance, one of our earliest PLP platforms stated:
“Tax reform will be a major objective of a PLP Government. Bermuda's present regressive system of taxation must be completely replaced by forms of taxation based on the ability of the individual to pay.”
That vision has never wavered, and we have worked to create a fairer tax system that eases the burden on working Bermudians.
Sovereignty: A Conversation for Our Future
The PLP remains steadfast in our belief that sovereignty is the ultimate path to Bermuda’s full self-determination.
However, we also acknowledge that the Bermudian people do not currently support sovereignty for Bermuda. Until that changes, we will continue to prioritise policies that strengthen our economy and empower Bermudians.
The Limitations of Our Colonial Status
The recent struggles to enact cannabis reform underscore the limitations of our colonial status.
Despite passing legislation supported by Bermuda’s democratically elected Parliament—legislation that was a promise made to and supported by the people in 2020—the British government refused to assent to the bill.
This is a stark reminder of why the conversation about self-determination remains relevant today.
A Vision for the Future
As we move forward, the PLP will continue to champion policies that address the real needs of our people while remaining grounded in the principles and values that have guided us since our founding.
Together, we can and will build a Bermuda that is fairer, stronger, and more inclusive for everyone.