Richards to challenge Bean for Dr. Brown's seat

The Bermuda Democratic Alliance (BDA) announced that Mr. Richards will be their candidate for Constituency 26, Warwick South Central.

Speaking at a press conference at the Rubber Tree in Warwick today, Mr. Richards said: “The good, hardworking people of constituency 26 deserve integrity, transparency and accountability from their elected representative.

“They deserve leadership that is both accessible and in turn, responsive to their needs. As a son of the soil and someone with lifelong ties to this community, I will be honoured to serve the people of constituency 26.

“I will listen to your concerns and embrace your ideas for improving the neighbourhoods of this constituency and in turn the country. “

Mr. Richards will run in the by-election on December 15 against Progressive Labour Party candidate Marc Bean.

The seat was vacated when former Premier Ewart Brown stepped down at the end of last month. 

Mr. Richards spoke about challenges facing the island: “We face many pressing issues such as the loss of jobs due to the downturn in the global and local economy, the increase in gun crime which threatens our families safety, and the failure of our educational system to adequately prepare our young people to compete in the new economy to name a few. 

“We need new leaders who will listen to the community and work to create innovative ideas, programs and methods to get Bermuda and its' people, back on the track to success. I am ready to provide that leadership.”

He continued: “I believe that one of my responsibilities is to hold the current government accountable and to demand transparency, integrity and accountability from myself and all of our elected officials, regardless of party affiliation.

“We as a country, have come a long way, but if we are to go from strength to strength, it is going to take the involvement and participation of all of our people.

“Bermuda's greatest attribute has always been its people. Therefore, we cannot afford to ignore anyone and we must embrace diversity, for it is through our diversity that we become stronger.”

Mr. Richards said he had been out canvassing and said his campaign would be a “grassroots effort”.

 He added he would work with the people of the constituency to find solutions for all the problems.