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To the voters of Paget West, as many of you know, this will not be the first time that I have offered myself as a candidate for the Progressive Labour Party. I do so now, as before, because I believe in the principles of the party and its commitment to social justice.

I stand here before you today because this party continues to translate those progressive principles and its commitment to social justice into day to day public policy, in a manner, that now more than ever represents the best hope for the realization of our most cherished aspirations as a people and as a community.

I make a specific appeal to our friends within the Portuguese community of Paget and beyond, that the PLP has always been a friend to your community. Unlike the previous UBP government which essentially expelled scores of Portuguese workers and their families against the opposition of many within the then PLP leadership, it was the PLP, that shortly upon assuming the mantle of Government in 1998, offered the change to the relevant immigration law, in order to protect the rights of long term residents. It is no secret that a significant percentage of those who benefited and who continue to benefit were members of the Portuguese community.

And let us not forget the advocacy of Dame Lois Browne-Evans who early in her political career over four decades ago, fought for the rights of migrant Portuguese workers, who while living and working under terrible conditions were also refused the right to have their wives and children here with them. Dame Lois Browne Evans along with others fought successfully for that change in policy.

... Under the leadership of Dr. Ewart Brown, a man of integrity and vision, we stand poised to usher in a new era in Bermuda that in my opinion will be unprecedented. This election, in my view will represent an historical turning point that will close the chapter on 40 years of political life in Bermuda as we have known it.

We are now laying the foundation for that future, which will see this country continuing to play a significant role in the world's affairs, with a vibrant economy led by tourism and international insurance; and a country characterized by its commitment to human development. I have no doubt that the PLP Government will continue to move Bermuda forward after our third straight victory at the next election.[[In-content Ad]]

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