HAMILTON, Bermuda, CMC – Nearly 29 years after he stepped down from active politics after a referendum on Independence was rejected, 88-year-old Sir John Swan is eyeing a return to Parliament, this time as an independent candidate.
Sir John, who, as head of the United Bermuda Party (UBP), served as premier from 1982-95 before resigning following the national vote on Independence, told reporters that he wants to contest the May 22 bye-election for Constituency 10 Smith’s North, which became vacant after former premier Michael Dunkley resigned last month.
“Would you like for me to run in your district? Would you support me? If I don’t get a response and there’s no public feeling about it, and people want to stay where they are, guess what? I don’t suffer,” Sir John said.
“Constituency 10, if I haven’t heard from you, I will not run. I will leave it, or if you choose to have somebody else, I don’t mind,” he said, providing two telephone numbers and an e-mail address so that constituents could contact him.
The ruling Progressive Labour Party (PLP) has named government Senator Lindsay Simmons its candidate. At the same time, the main opposition, One Bermuda Alliance (OBA), has put faith in newcomer Robert King to retain the OBA seat.
Sir John was first elected to Parliament in 1972, winning the Paget East constituency for the UBP. As minister for home affairs from 1978 to 1982, he played a crucial role in introducing social reforms following the race riots in 1977.
As he announced plans to contest the bye-election, Sir John told reporters that it was time for “talks around the country” about political contenders who were not tied to a party.
“I have received calls from people who said they intend to stand at the next election. This process is just starting, but it will die if it doesn’t get momentum very fast. Let’s find out if the people want it. It’s the will of the people. We bring ideas to the process, but it’s not my will; it’s the will of the people.
“I see fewer people wanting to become involved in party politics. I’ve talked to the business community, and everybody said, ‘I don’t want to get involved in party politics.’
“Where does that leave us? To sit back, suck our thumbs, live in disgust and fear and displeasure? Could you do something about it? Do we roll over and play dead and let things continue, or will Bermuda be at the forefront of change?” he added.
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