General Election to be held on December 17

THURSDAY, NOV. 8: Bermuda’s voters will go to the polls on Monday, December 17, with jobs and the economy looming large as key General Election issues.

Premier Paula Cox announced the date of the election tonight.

National debt levels, job losses and the way in which the PLP Government has navigated Bermuda through recession are sure to be hot topics in the coming weeks.

Crime — especially violent crime and the increase in gang-related gun murders in recent years — will also be key to the contest, observers say.

The Opposition OBA is sure to continue its attacks on Government spending and borrowing in a bid to unseat the PLP after 14 years in power.

For its part, the incumbent PLP will argue that money used on upgrading infrastructure and investing in programmes that improve the quality of life for ordinary Bermudians — along with its refusal to slash public sector spending despite mounting debt — was well spent.

Government released a statement tonight which said:

“Please be advised that His Excellency the Governor has today, 8 November 2012, in accordance with advice from the Premier, dissolved the Legislature with effect from 10.00 a.m. on Friday, 9 November 2012.” 

For the latest on who’s running where, see our list of election candidates here.