3/19/2010 11:46:00 AM Ex-UBP Leader to cross the aisle Furbert opts for the PLP ... But he won’t be an automatic choice come election time, say PLP sources
* File photo. Can you hear me now? Wayne Furbert will be looking to reach a new band of supporters after switching to the PLP.
* File photo. Clean start: Wayne Furbert hopes he’ll grow on the PLP.
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Send feedback to editor Tony McWilliam at tmcwilliam@bermudasun.bm.
Former UBP leader Wayne Furbert has staked his political future on a switch to the PLP.
Mr. Furbert, who quit the UBP to become an Independent MP in December 2008, is expected to confirm to MPs today that he has crossed the floor to be part of Dr. Ewart Brown's government.
But some political pundits questioned the wisdom of the move and cast doubt on whether he would be the party's choice to represent them in his Hamilton West constituency at the next election.
"He's doomed," said one fellow MP. "He's built a reputation as an unreliable waffler. They are not going to select him as a candidate at the next election. This may well be his last two years in politics."
PLP insiders say Mr. Furbert, who is understood to have canvassed people in his constituency asking them which party he should join, has been given no guarantees and will face the same candidate selection process as anyone else before the next election.
The party changed its regulations earlier this year to ensure that sitting MPs could be challenged.
"Wayne is going to have to prove his commitment and loyalty to the party," said one PLP source.
"The PLP ran a fantastic candidate (Charles Clarke) down there, so I doubt he would even get the nomination, but a lot can change in two years.
"This is a branch he's been running in since '93, so he does have that on his side."
Mr. Clarke, who lost out to Mr. Furbert by 79 votes at the last election, would not comment yesterday except to say his political ambitions remained the same.
Mr. Furbert was unwilling to speak publically about his decision and the PLP would say nothing specific about his move.
Chairman Anthony Santucci said simply: "The PLP welcomes all people to our party."
And an official release from the party read: "The decision by Mr. Wayne Furbert to join the Bermuda Progressive Labour Party is welcomed. He has served his constituency and his community well. We are certain he will make a valuable contribution as we move Bermuda forward."
One senior PLP MP was more effusive, albeit anonymously. He said Mr Furbert would provide a big boost and backed him to run for the PLP at the next election.
"He knows how to work his constituency. I can only see this as a plus. I can't see the UBP winning this seat in the next election if Wayne runs in Hamilton West for the PLP."
The United Bermuda Party insists the defection is not a blow to them and had been anticipated for some time.
"Mr Furbert left this party more than a year ago and, like him, we have moved on," said leader Kim Swan last night
"He has been angling for this crossover for a long time. To get there he has repeatedly voted with Dr. Brown's government.
"His move to join the PLP aligns him with a government that has imposed $100 million in new taxes on everyday people and the businesses that employ them."
Backbench support
Privately, some UBP members have been more scathing of Mr. Furbert's decision.
One party insider characterized the move as "the worst kind of political opportunism".
Conspiracy theorists within the Opposition believe Premier Dr. Ewart Brown tempted Mr. Furbert into the fold to bolster his faltering support on the backbenches.
Another political commentator suggested Mr. Furbert's decision was a vote of no confidence in Bermuda Democratic Alliance, who he had also considered joining.
Alliance MP Mark Pettingill said the BDA had not tried to 'woo' Mr. Furbert and didn't see how his move affected them.
"We did not actually approach Mr. Furbert about joining the BDA so we don't see it as a blow to us at all. We are pleased to welcome new members who wish to join us and are supportive of our platform and mandate for a better way."
Despite his history as UBP leader, Mr. Furbert has always been an advocate of stronger cooperation between the parties and some pundits believe his 'flip-flop' is not the hammer blow to his credibility that it could have been for a more partisan politician.
Bermuda Sun columnist and former editor Tom Vesey said it was up to the MP now to prove he was more than just a political opportunist.
"Wayne campaigned for the UBP leadership on a platform of reform, preached reform while he was their leader and quit the party over reform.
"It wasn't just reform of the UBP he was talking about, but serious reform of the Bermuda political system - fixed election dates, the use of referendums, less partisanship, the re-examination of the way a lot of our political systems work, and a lot of other things.
"Wayne needs to start talking about reform again, quickly. If he doesn't, it'll be pretty clear that he was joining the PLP for the cynical self-serving purpose of helping himself get re-elected. What good will that do Bermuda?"
Posted: Friday, March 19, 2010
Comment by:
Robert Bryce
Ah Futile, you have hit the nail on the head. If the remaining UBP and the BDA MP's also crossed, the PLP would be totally paralysed as they would have to Govern without any opposition. Can you imagine the reaction? No one to blame, no one to insult, no one to say "they did it so we can too". It would be total panic.
Posted: Friday, March 19, 2010
Comment by:
Futile
Personally I feel that the Opposition parties should just fold up and call it a day. The PLP will NEVER lose power despite any perceptions (real or fake) of corruption, ineptitude cronyism etc. White Bermudians no longer matter and they never will again, despite any real advantages that they could bring to the political arena. Complaining is futile and just makes the acceptance of reality that much more difficult. Their opinions will be brushed off as racist (if they are against the PLP stance in question)and null and void. So stop your wasting your breath or join the PLP.
Posted: Friday, March 19, 2010
Comment by:
ITWASNTME
THE WORSE EXAMPLE OF POLITICAL PROSTITUTION I'VE EVER COME ACCROSS. CORY BUTTERFIELD GOT IT RIGHT. WHAT DOES IT TELL US ABOUT IS POLITICAL BASE? YOU CANNOT BE LEFT AND RIGHT, OR LABOR AND CAPITALIST, UBP AND PLP.
JUST ANOTHER OPPORTUNIST TRYING TO KEEP A JOB INSTEAD OF STANDING ON HIS 'PRINCIPALS'.
Posted: Friday, March 19, 2010
Comment by:
Michael Souza
The man has no political back-bone whatsoever so he seems to be a perfect fit for the PLP. They can have him!
Posted: Friday, March 19, 2010
Comment by:
M. Cranberry
A Bermudian MP swapping parties - WOW - How shocking is that!! I mean quite apart from several MPs who left the UBP and moved to the BDA and the PLP MP who left earlier, not to mention the party leaders and heads that keep swapping sides - I mean quite apart from these occurrences it is the most unique thing - I am shocked... Zzzzzz... Mind you Furbert does quite a snazzy version of the Lord's Prayer (not to my taste but) so maybe we'll get to hear him sing from the PLP pulpit now... Will there be free cocktails and coffee…this time too??
