Challenge the leader: Poll results

Over the last few weeks I've been running a survey asking who you thought would make the best leaders of the PLP and the UBP. The results were as follows.

Party Leaders

Who would make the best leader of the PLP? [282 votes total] Paula Cox (96) 34% Wayne Perinchief (44) 16% Dale Butler (30) 11% Ewart Brown (24) 9% Larry Mussenden (12) 4% Ashfield DeVent (11) 4% Terry Lister (9) 3% Alex Scott (8) 3% Renee Webb (8) 3% Randy Horton (7) 2% Jennifer Smith (6) 2% Ottiwell Simmons (5) 2% Michael Scott (4) 1% Neletha Butterfield (3) 1% Nelson Bascome (3) 1% Reginald Burrows (3) 1% Glenn Blakeney (2) 1% Derrick Burgess (2) 1% Stanley Lowe (1) 0% Raymond Tannock (1) 0% Patrice Minors (1) 0% Neville Tyrell (1) 0% Dean Foggo (1) 0% George Scott (0) 0% Walter Lister (0) 0% Walter Roban (0) 0% Dennis Lister (0) 0%

Who would make the best leader of the UBP? [282 votes total] Wayne Furbert (48) 17% John Barritt (41) 15% Bob Richards (38) 13% Grant Gibbons (37) 13% Michael Dunkley (24) 9% Trevor Moniz (17) 6% Jamahl Simmons (16) 6% David Dodwell (14) 5% Patricia Gordon-Pamplin (11) 4% Kim Swan (9) 3% Suzanne Roberts-Holshouser (7) 2% Louise Jackson (6) 2% Kenneth Bascome (4) 1% Jon Brunson (4) 1% Maxwell Burgess (3) 1% Cole Simons (3) 1% Neville Darrell (0) 0%

Once again, Paula Cox topped the PLP vote by a wide margin. My own enthusiasm for Ms. Cox has dimmed over the last year following her failure to properly investigate the pay-to-play accusations; I'm also finding her way of speaking increaingly grating. Nevertheless, I think that she is still the best candidate that the PLP has to offer.

For the UBP, my vote went to John Barritt. He has the charisma that Grant Gibbons lacks and seems to be well-regarded by all sectors of the community.

As with all Internet polls, you should take the results with a pinch of salt. In particular, Wayne Perinchief and Wayne Furbert initially attracted few votes, then suddenly both began shooting up through the rankings in lock-step. As such, their final placings should be regarded with suspicion.

» Stuart Hayward gave his thoughts on who should lead the PLP in Friday's Bermuda Sun.

Comments

[JJ on 24.10.05 at 13:54]

I'd be very interested as to why the single voters for messrs Lowe, Tyrell, Tannock and Foggo feel these people would be good leaders. I can't even think what any of them look like, so few times have they appeared in the news to discuss any particular issue. Unless it was their mums who voted of them :-)

[Combat Banker on 16.01.06 at 09:44]

And the Winner is Wayne!!! Really. Wow. Maybe the UBP Caucus Reads LIB?

[wklc on 16.01.06 at 09:52]

It will be interesting to see how the electorate responds to Wayne Furbert's selection. Personally I think its not going to make much of a difference. He is not going to appeal to enough people to make a difference. I think its a strategy of the UBP to change the face of the party as we build up to the next election. But I think most people will realize that just because you change the captain of the team, doesn't mean you have changed coaches. And its the coaches who truly determine the plays. Personally I cannot wait for the next election period. I think it will be an exciting time, as I expect the election to be close, however, I expect the PLP to maintain power.

[Combat Banker on 16.01.06 at 09:59]

Yes, it'll be a race of whose more apathetic than the other.

[wklc on 16.01.06 at 10:05]

Combat Banker...

Did you mean apathetic or "pathetic"? lol...

Seriously though, I really hope both parties can get it together over the next 2 years to really give the electorate an opportunity to choose in a positive manner, rather than voting for the lesser of 2 evils or voting 'just because'.

I believe that most people feel that the UBP lacks legitimacy, and that when a move is made like this, what are the ulterior motives (I am not necessarily saying that there are ulterior motives). Comments that I have heard this morning already from black voters is that they are just using a band aid to try a place a temporary fix on their party, and hoping that a black face will get them elected. Comments that I have heard from white voters are saying that they think it is a mistake because Grant Gibbons is more intelligent and has more financial backing behind him. So it will be interesting how much support is thrown behind Mr. Furbert.

[Guilden M. Gilbert, Jr. on 16.01.06 at 10:39]

I think the move by the UBP is a good one, not because of skin colour (we need to move beyond that nonsense) but because as the leader of a political party you have to be personable and you have to be strong in your positions. Grant, while a nice guy, does not, in my view, have the charisma or the fortitude to lead a political party. Grant seemed to always shy away from controversial issues, issues that needed the party to state a clear and strong position.

Wayne, who is a close cousin of mine, love him or hate him, has an infectious personality, he is and always has been a people person. Speaking from a personal perspective, while my support does not rest with the UBP, if Wayne can implement some of the ideas that he and I discussed over dinner a few months ago I think you will see some major changes in the way the UBP acts as a party.

I think for a long time now the UBP has been adrift, it has had no real direction, it has been going whereever the winds of the electorate sent it. Maybe Wayne will be the strong leader the party needs to give it some impetus. I believe that if the PLP had had a strong Opposition it would have been a much better government than it has been.

Time will tell but from our discussions, I do believe that Wayne has some very strong ideas and I hope that under his leadership the UBP can become a stronger party, which would cause the PLP to improve itself and maybe at the next General Election the parties can compete for votes based on strong manifestos.

Time will tell.

[You say 'Po ta to' on 16.01.06 at 10:51]

Can anyone legitimately say if Wayne has different ideas from Grant, or if this is just a matter of putting a black face up front? I can't think of what he brings to the table except for a black face.

[Somers on 16.01.06 at 11:26]

As Guilden stated - he brings charisma... I tend to agree; Grant has had a hard time coming across as someone who relates well with the voters.

[wklc on 16.01.06 at 11:34]

I don't know...to me he comes across as friendly, which is a plus, but as far as charismatic, I don't think so. He doesn't verbalize his ideas well and sometimes comes across as unsure of where he is going when speaking. But he does seem to be a friendly and approachable gentleman, definitely much moreso than his predecessor.

[Two Cents on 16.01.06 at 11:37]

Somers,

I couldn't agree with you more. I think Wayne Furbet has the much needed "plays well with others" reputation, whereas Grant Gibbons doesn't have the personality or charisma, to effectively get the "unity & togetherness" message across to the voters of Bermuda which is needed without a doubt.

[You say 'Po ta to' on 16.01.06 at 11:54]

Johnny Barnes is friendly too, but I'm not going to vote him in as Premier. When I think of the other choices such as Richards, Barritt, Burgess, I have an idea of how they appear to be different from Gibbons. But I'm drawing a blank with Furbert. What does he mean for the UBP except for a smiling, black face?

[Guilden M. Gilbert, Jr. on 16.01.06 at 11:58]

Gentlemen,

Whether it means anything or not, knowing Wayne for as long as I have (all my life) and knowing how much he loves his (our) country and knowing some of the plans he hopes to initiate, I as a PLP supporter would give some consideration to the UBP under Wayne's leadership.

The most important factor is that he has to have the freedom, as leader to implement some of his ideas. From our discussions there, from my perspective, are some very good ideas that Wayne has presented to me. If he is allowed by the party machinery to implement them or fully explain them in the lead up to the next election, I do believe the ideas would garner fair wide support.

Political alliances aside I would rather have a government that is going to implement ideas that will create a better Bermuda for ALL then simply a political party whom I support.

[Guilden M. Gilbert, Jr. on 16.01.06 at 12:04]

You say 'Po ta to',

I can understand Richards or Barritt but Burgess, Maxwell Burgess, as party leader? Surely you jest. Many people have complained about certain members of the PLP only wanting to help PLP supporters, clearly you do not know Maxwell Burgess very well. He is very clearly and "us" and "them" person with regard to politics.

At on time I did have respect for Maxwell as a politician until I saw first hand this "us" and "them" attitiude when he was Minister of Transport.

[jake on 16.01.06 at 12:24]

I actually have a high regard for Wayne Furbert.

My question is whether he would be able to keep the others in line during a UBP Government. I could see a change of Government not causing hell, but I don't know if he has the political strength to make sure the snakes in the basket don't come out.

The thing I liked about Dame Jennifer was that she could keep the crazies in place (most of the time). Alex Scott...well, he speaks for himself.

Both parties have these people in the shadows. We need leaders who can keep them there.

[You say 'Po ta to' on 16.01.06 at 12:26]

I didn't say that I respected Burgess. I said that I knew what he stood for (namely himself). With Furbert I cannot differentiate him from Gibbons, and I have no idea what he stands for. Richards: strong economy, equality of empowerment. Burgess: Whatever can line his pockets. Furbert: Blue skies, 3 square meals a day and whatever the UBP says. What else is there?

Don't forget that Furbert was deputy leader or party chair all this time. Do you mean to say that wonder boy kept all these ideas to himself, just waiting until he took the party leadership? I would have thought that he would have had significant freedom to push these ideas already. But this is politics, perhaps the Oppo Lead gets much more control. I need to read his comments in RG.

[Combat Banker on 16.01.06 at 12:28]

Best of luck to Wayne. He is of course going to need it.

Actually with a little thought, his appointment may well be a genius stroke (may well). Not because he is not light green but dark green, but because the major problem with Bermudian politics is that the voter really does not give a shizz about EITHER party, and individually finds most MPs unrelatable & unapproachable. As others have stated here, I have found Wayne to be a VERY approachable person. That he should play up as much as possible. Now whether or not he can Lead, is another matter. I have only known him socially (and briefly at that), and so cannot say.

Good news is that with the current inaction from the other side of the house, by sheer contrast alone he will stand out.

[thisgrassman on 16.01.06 at 12:59]

Guilden - Absolutely right, Maxwell Burgess is a venal little opportunist. Remember him as John Swan's lackey during the MacDonalds fiasco?

Until the UBP gets rid of him there is no way they will get my vote.

[JJ on 16.01.06 at 13:05]

Guilden,
would you feel comfortable sharing these ideas of Wayne's?

[Raptor on 16.01.06 at 13:12]

In today's RG: "Despite his [W.F.] unanimous vote by the UBP, in an unscientific poll on a Limey in Bermuda web-site of who would be the best leader of the UBP, Mr. Furbert ended up in twelfth place, with a mere 2 percent. Out of the 140 votes cast the poll was nominally won by Shadow Attorney General Trevor Moniz. However, the fact that Mr. Moniz acquired 14 of his 24 votes within the space of a couple of hours made web-site officials suspicious of a co-ordinated vote for Mr. Moniz."

Where did this come? On Limey's poll, Wayne Furbert is at the top.

[The Limey on 16.01.06 at 13:27]

Raptor

The Gazette was referring to this poll, conducted in September 2004. Seems they missed this more recent one.

[Tiger Bay on 16.01.06 at 13:28]

"Web site officials". They really don't get the blog thing do they?

[Combat Banker on 16.01.06 at 13:33]

Raptor - Note it refers to the '140 votes' cast, where if you look above you'll see 282 votes. I think the paper had it before the poll was close or something. Besides, SOOO unscientific, especially with the lot on this site! ;)

[Full Fullish on 16.01.06 at 14:01]

I too have heard Wayne speak. He definantely have a great love for Bermuda and it's quite infectious when he does speak about this Island and what he would like see bettered. He's very open and I think he'd do well as premier.

I'm waiting for the PLP hate machine to say things like "this is just a tactic to illicit more black votes" and the likes. Any bets on who may make comments like this, how long it'll take and how bad the comments will be?

[Raptor on 16.01.06 at 14:26]

Full Fullish,

Will P. turn his pit bull, Burch, on Wayne? How will Burch ever exceed his "black buffoon" and "house nigger" comments? There's a challenge for him!

Let's hope they show Wayne some respect instead--that would be novel.

On the other hand the UBP needs to make clear that Wayne is The Leader now. They've got to deal with what provoked Burch's, Woolridge's, and Swan's accusations.

[You say 'Po ta to' on 16.01.06 at 14:34]

Just read GG's bio - damn dat bye was sharp!

So, what does everyone expect to see changed with the new leader? What new direction will he take the UBP in? What does he bring to the table besides charisma?

[Guilden M. Gilbert, Jr. on 16.01.06 at 14:46]

JJ,

No I wouldn't feel comfortable sharing the ideas because it is not my place to do so. Our discussions were in confidence and there is nothing I would to to breach the respect and trust we have in each other. All I will say is that I look forward to them being presented.

Full Fullish,

I think it would be fool-hardy of the PLP to make any derogatory remarks about the election of Wayne because as far as I am aware the only positions Wayne has taken are on issues that he believes would better Bermuda, not necessarily the UBP or himself.

I have a great deal of respect for Wayne, not only because of our clsoe family relationship but because of the sincerity for Bermuda that he has consistently shown. Even when he lost his seat he never stopped working within his constituency. I do not think that can be said of very many politicians who have lost their seats. As a politician he knows who his employers are and haven't seen any case, to date, that he forgotten this fact.

Over the years Wayne and I have had some very good, sometimes heated discussions, on where Bermuda should be heading and I think at the end of the day the final goal is the same, it is only the road that should be taken to get there that differs.

It was Wayne who convinced me to join Leaders of Tomorrow and when I resigned out of frustration he understood and he supported me and my position. He has also provided support for me when I write letters to the editor, he may not agree with all the positions I take but he understands and respects the importance of persons voicing their views and opinions.

[Guilden M. Gilbert, Jr. on 16.01.06 at 14:50]

You say 'Po ta to'

"What does he bring to the table besides charisma?"

I think you will find that support for Wayne among the Bermuda electorate cross political lines. That brings a lot to the table.

[Tiger Bay on 16.01.06 at 15:09]

Wayne Furbert is bedrock middle class - sensible and hardworking. That has very broad appeal in Bermuda.

I never realised that Grant Gibbons' Phd was in organic chemistry. I guess he really knows what he's talking about when he says that Alex Scott is full of hot air (specifically the hyrdocarbon methane).

[SmokingGun on 16.01.06 at 15:25]

Best of luck to Wayne Furbert. If he can help bring change that would be great. If the UBP get's back in it will need to be based on a platform that is seen to be inclusive. If Wayne can get his team to set an agenda that he is seen to have pushed for then he shouldn't have a problem keeping his seat. He will have to make sure that he keeps Grant Gibbons very close to him because Bermuda would be at a loss not having Grant's direct support and input. Grant may not have the necessary charm but he sure has the smarts and the worldly connections.

[You say 'Po ta to' on 16.01.06 at 15:36]

"I think you will find that support for Wayne among the Bermuda electorate cross political lines. That brings a lot to the table."

That's politicking - The last thing I want to see is another John Swan. What does Furbert have that Gibbons and the other contenders don't? For what reason would he have beaten out Bob Richards and John Barritt in particular?

[Guilden M. Gilbert, Jr. on 16.01.06 at 15:47]

I think Tiger Bay summed it up perfectly. A political party needs a leader with broad support.

You say that's politicking but what else do political parties do?

John Barritt would not be viewed much differently than Grant Gibbons.

I think Bob Richards would be a good leader, however, he has only recently entered front-line politics and I think he still needs to establish his politcal image before he can seriously contend for the leadership.

[wklc on 16.01.06 at 15:54]

It would have been difficult for Bob Richards to assume the leadership as he is a Senator not an MP, and has lost both of his electoral races, in 1998 and 2003. An Opposition Leader who is not even present in the House would not be that effective in my opinion. He has a tough constituency as he runs against the current Premier Alex Scott.

[You say 'Po ta to' on 16.01.06 at 16:19]

My concern is in having leaders with the intelligence to come up with solutions and ethics to provide moral leadership. I could care less about Grant Gibbon's lack of charisma, nor Wayne Furbert's abundance of it. As a matter of fact, all this hoopla means nothing to me unless the UBP is transformed in policy instead of marketability. Richards would have been my choice by a country mile, because I like what he has been saying (not how he has been saying it).

[The Limey on 16.01.06 at 18:31]

wklc

I think most people will realize that just because you change the captain of the team, doesn't mean you have changed coaches. And its the coaches who truly determine the plays.

Who are the "coaches" in the UBP?

You say 'Po ta to'

For what reason would he have beaten out Bob Richards and John Barritt in particular?

Perhaps they don't want to be leader?