UDP’s battle for West Bay won – but the war was lost

Edna Moyle greets a supporter.	Moses Kirkconnell’s first time victory.

George Town welcomes PPM


McKeeva Bush, Leader of the UDP.


Captain Eugene Ebanks of the UDP hugs a supporter.


Jubilant UDP supporters wait for McKeeva Bush,
Cline Glidden, Rolston Anglin and
Captain Eugene Ebanks.


Julianna O’Connor Connolly gets a hug from a
supporter.

Thursday, May 12, 2005 

By 2:30 am the United Democratic Party had been victorious in the party’s stronghold of West Bay but the victory of that battle was short-lived when the PPM swept the board in both Bodden Town and George Town, North Side and East End as all nine candidates were returned.

The evening’s results began just after nine in the evening when North Side was declared and the People’s Progressive Movement (PPM) took its first victory as Edna Moyle, the current incumbent, was returned with 278 votes and more than 56 percent of the vote in the district with the highest turnout at well over 91 percent. When Ms Moyle’s win was announced, PPM supporters rushed forward past the barriers, to the North Side Civic Centre, some armed with brooms made from tree branches, that have come to symbolize “sweeping them clean.”

Asked what her priorities would be now, Ms Moyle said, “schools and education, a civic centre for the elderly, the economy and fiscal responsibility.”

On the heels of Ms Moyle’s victory the PPM were celebrating again as Arden McLean aka ‘Action Man’ was returned to East End with well over 64 percent of the vote.

The next result was confirmed in the Sister Islands at around 11:15 when Dave Tatum the returning officer, announced the results and the first disappointment for the United Democratic Party.

Julianna O’Connor Connelly of the UDP was returned as first elected member with 423 votes however, Moses Kirkconnell took Lyndon Martin’s seat with 380 votes, when he became the only independent candidate to be elected to the Legislative Assembly. Ms Connolly commented that she was, “grateful to God for helping her through as first elected member.”

Mr Kirkconnell said: “I’m really happy to be elected as a representative and looking forward to working real hard.”

Although disappointed, Lyndon Martin said he had run an exciting campaign and thanked his campaign team, adding that even though they had been rejected they would be back. “Certainly I’m going to run next time,” he said. “I’m excited about the campaign. I think we ran a very good campaign. We (the UDP) were rejected by the public but I look forward to elections in 2009.”

In the wake of the Sister Islands’ results the shape of the country’s vote began to emerge when the PPM swept the board in Bodden Town. Anthony Eden was returned as first elected member with 1623 votes, however he stood on the winning platform this time with two new members as his colleagues from the PPM, Charles ‘Chuckie’ Clifford and Osbourne ‘Ossie’ Bodden came in as second and third, ousting the incumbents Gilbert McLean and Roy Bodden.

The UDP were all smiles however, in West Bay when the result was announced. In McKeeva Bush’s stronghold the votes were counted and the announcement made some time before 12:30 am and the four UDP incumbents were all returned. McKeeva Bush secured over 16 percent of the votes. The second elected member was Rolstin Anglin, Cline Glidden and Capt Eugene Ebanks third and fourth. The West Bay Alliance faced a disappointing result with none of the team able to take any of the UDP seats away. Commenting on the result Dalkeith Bothwell said: “We ran a well-fought campaign but the people have spoken – that’s democracy.”

Bernie Bush, independent candidate for West Bay, polled some 964 votes in a tough race but was commended for running a clean campaign. “Although I’m disappointed with the result I feel good because of the support I have received,” said Mr Bernie Bush. “I think the result reflects the fact that too many people running caused a mix-up. I feel disappointed but I’ll survive.”

The celebrations for the West Bay UDP candidates however were short-lived as the result from George Town came in.

“I feel great and I’m very appreciative of the support I received,” said Cline Glidden, however his victory was tainted by the party’s overall defeat.

“The people have spoken and I intend to do my part. I intend to play whatever part I can whether in opposition or in the Government.”

They may well have won the West Bay battle but the ruling party failed to win the war. The PPM secured all four of the capital’s seats. In a landslide result they returned all nine of the candidates they fielded in the race. “We need all nine, don’t leave anyone behind,” was the campaign cry, which by 2:30 am had come to pass. With the election of Kurt Tibbetts, who secured more than 17 percent of the vote, Alden McLaughlin, Lucille Seymour and Alfonso Wright, the PPM were secured of victory and the task of forming the next government.

Facing the defeat McKeeva Bush said: “I’m going to be a loyal opposition. But we need to assess where we are. I did say this would be my last term and depending on how the new Government behave I may take them to task or hand over to a younger person.”

Delighted with the results Anton Duckworth the chairman of the PPM said: “Brilliant; what other words can I say, terrific, splendid, wonderful. It was the result of enormous hard work and of course wonderful candidates and being honest.”

The results were disappointing for not just the West Bay Alliance and the United Democratic Party but also for the People’s Democratic Alliance, (PDA) who failed to bring in a seat in George Town. Linford Pierson finished with the best result of the Alliance but he was well short of a seat with Dr Frank McField of the UDP previously the third elected member for George Town coming in fifth place.

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