Hughes to retire from Senate (update)

MONDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2:15PM UPDATE: Senate vice-president Walwyn Hughes is set to retire after 15 years in the Upper House, Governor Sir Richard Gozney announced today.

Dr Hughes, an Independent Senator appointed by the Governor, will be replaced by retired Appleby CEO and partner James Jardine.

Dr Hughes said: “Everything has to come to an end at some stage. I’d been in Senate 15 years and it seemed like a nice number of years.

“It was an appropriate time. There will be an election sooner rather than later and I wouldn’t have been going back to Senate after that, so it seemed a good idea to allow someone else in to give them a start.”

Dr Hughes, 78, added: “I will miss it. I’ve been a public servant all my life. When I was employed in Government, I was a senior civil servant and it seemed like a natural progression to join the Senate.

“I’ve always enjoyed the legislative process. I used to advise on legislation and then I saw it from the other side.

“By and large, it was a pleasant experience and I enjoyed the chance to contribute.”

Dr Hughes said he still has other charitable and community interests, including serving as vice-president of the Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences.

He added that he also has family living abroad and intends to do more travelling with his wife.

Sir Richard said of Dr Hughes: “No one could have shown a stronger commitment. I am confident that Senator-designate Jardine will bring a similar focus and commitment to the Senate’s work.”

Dr Hughes, a retired senior civil servant, was appointed to the Senate in 1996.