With just a few hours before the Bermuda General Election on Tuesday, February 18, 2025, all who could vote, are asked to perform their civic duty by going to the polls and vote. 109 candidates have been officially nominated for the upcoming General Election. What is the landscape of the candidates in the Bermuda Election? These are the numbers according to their affiliated parties or as independents.
• 36 Progressive Labour Party (PLP)
• 36 One Bermuda Alliance (OBA)
• 27 Independent Candidates (INP)
• 10 Free Democratic Movement (FDM)
• 1 Emperial Group (EMP)
The big question on the minds of so many in this election season is, “Whether there is any room for an independent in the House of Assembly?” The answer is obvious, yes!
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Infact, there is room for all parties and independents in the House of Assembly. Historically, Bermuda has always held its breath during the season of an election. Looking at the number of independent candidates in this year's election. My word to all is, to those who have been nominated to run for their party in any area of Bermuda, an independent candidate is just as worthy as any other candidate when it comes down to the representation of the people. Lest we forget, a candidate who is elected, is elected to serve the people and not the party, or themselves. They may represent their party, but they are the voice for the people, by the people. In the line of an independent candidate, let us look back on the late Stuart Hayward (1942–2022): who was a determined campaigner on behalf of ordinary people. He was a “visionary environmental campaigner who strived to challenge the status quo.” Stuart, “led the Bermuda Environmental Sustainability Taskforce, a campaign group created to protect the island’s natural environment from the threat of increased development at a time when it was not fashionable to do so.”
Looking at the USA, Bernard Sanders is an example of an independent politician and activist who is a worker for the people. He is the senior United States senator from Vermont. As the longest-serving independent in U.S. congressional history, he maintains a close relationship with the Democratic Party. Having caucused with House and Senate Democrats for most of his congressional career. Sanders has been viewed as the leader of the modern American progressive movement. Sanders was a U.S. representative for 16 years before being elected to the U.S. Senate in 2006. Sanders was a major candidate for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2016 and 2020, finishing in second place both times.
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In the 2024 general election of the House of Commons in England, six independent candidates were elected to serve as MPs. Now, before someone considers this message to be an anti-party or pro-independence message, it is not.
I believe, "When God prepares the table, you don't need to beg for a seat." In other words, "Just because candidates are showing up to your door, it doesn’t mean they got your back. Even Judas attended every prayer meeting." As we reflect on these things, let us pray for all 109 candidates as Jesus prayed for all His disciples.
The Bible says, "Spiritual things are spiritually discerned. Those who have no vital union with God are swayed one way or another; they put men's opinions in the front, and God's Word in the background. They grasp human assertions, that judgment against sin is contrary to God's benevolent character, and, while dwelling upon infinite benevolence, try to forget that there is such a thing as infinite justice.
When we (all) have right views of the power, greatness, and majesty of God, and of the weakness of man, we shall despise the assumptions of wisdom made by earth's so-called great men, who have none of Heaven's nobility in their characters. There is nothing for which men should be praised or exalted. There is no reason why the opinions of the learned should be trusted when they are disposed to measure divine things by their own perverted conceptions. Those who serve God are the only ones whose opinion and example it is safe to follow. A sanctified heart quickens and intensifies the mental powers. A living faith in God imparts energy; it gives calmness and repose of spirit and strength and nobility of character. Let me make it biblically clear for all. Daniel 2:21 says, "It is HE (meaning GOD) who changes the times and the seasons; He removes kings and establishes kings. He gives wisdom to the wise, and [greater] knowledge to those who have understanding!"
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Today, I encourage all who know how to pray, to join me in prayer for the 2025 Bermuda General Election and all candidates. Let us pray for all officials in the election halls. Let us also pray for the good of Bermuda. The word of GOD says, " I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;" 1 Timothy 2:1-3.
To all candidates in the 2025 Bermuda General Election who are elected to serve. As Chaplain, you have my full support when you are elected to the House of Assembly. It is my prayer that God will bless your years of service with wisdom, knowledge, discernment, and understanding to lead Bermuda from strength to strength. To the people of Bermuda, as we all go to the voting polls, let us ask God to guide our vote for the good of Bermuda. May God's favor continue to shine as a light of prosperity, joy, peace, and love on every Bermudian citizen, visitor, and friend of Bermuda. Blessings, Blessings, Blessings.
By GARDEN MINISTRY
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