Bermuda's Progressive Labor Party (PLP) maintained power in the third consecutive general election on Tuesday, despite a loss of four seats. The party, led by Premier David Burt, secured a comfortable majority in the overseas British territory, located around 1,400 km (870 miles) off the U.S. coast in the North Atlantic, following their victory in the 2017 elections.
The PLP obtained 49.6% of votes, compared to 36.9% for the center-right One Bermuda Alliance (OBA), securing 25 out of the 36 seats in the House of Assembly, while the OBA won the remaining 11 seats. A record number of 109 candidates participated in the election, reflecting a perceived discontent with the PLP, with a voter turnout of 54.98%, slightly lower than the previous year's pandemic-affected election turnout of 55%.
In his address outside the party headquarters, Burt reiterated the PLP's commitment to supporting residents in lower and middle-income tax brackets, emphasizing their agenda to tackle the high cost of living, healthcare expenses, and educational system reform in the territory.
"Bermudians have chosen progress, fairness, and a PLP government that will deliver for you," Burt stated.
A group of independent candidates, including some associated with former United Bermuda Party (UBP) Premier Sir John Swan, received 9.2% of votes without securing any seats. Additionally, the Free Democratic Movement (FDM), with a libertarian-leaning approach, secured the fourth position with 3.8% of votes.
Swan, who served as Bermuda's premier from 1982 to 1995, resigned after losing a referendum on independence that he supported, as a significant number of voters abstained from voting at that time.