Final count: PLP wins 22-14

So what does it all mean? There is no question that the result is a ringing endorsement for Dr Brown and his style of Government. And that will rightly worry a lot of people.

On ZBM, Julian Hall stated: “There has been a sea change in the level and quality of debate even in the last few weeks on social issues as a reaction to the print media. If anyone’s going to have a rough time in the months ahead, it is the Royal Gazette and the Mid-Ocean News.”

Tom Vesey: “There is a lot of healing to be done. It won’t put an end to the ethical concerns surrounding Brown and DeSilva. Part of it will be dealt by legal proceedings but the PLP leadership itself has to decide what it will do about it.”

Hall agreed: said there was a need for clarifaction on ethics, etc. “We have serious community healing to do.” Lamented the “horrible” things on internet blogs, etc – “and not just whites against blacks”.

Dunkley speech to UBP faithful: “We need to get back to bein g Bermudians and bridge the gaps that have occurred over the past seven weeks. The people have spoken and we must abide by their wishes. Tomorrow let’s go back to work.” Said he is “ready and willing to serve Bermuda and my people.”

Finally: “To Dr Brown: you have been given a tremendous responsibility to lead this island. People expect you to do so with honesty and integrity.”

Last results: Smith West is held by Trevor Moniz (UBP) and Lavitta Foggo (PLP) – she of the controversial “shackles” quote – upsets Suzanne Holshouser in St David’s.

Final count: It’s as you were – PLP 22 UBP 14.
Popular vote: UBP 15161, PLP 16,800, Independent 67

“Son of the soil” sunk without trace

Mark Pettingill wins Warwick East for UBP Walter Roban (PLP) wins Pembroke East. Southampton West Central won by Jon Brunson for UBP. Paula Cox holds her Devonshire North seat. Harold Darrell, the whistle-blowing Son Of The Soil who leaked the controversial BHC Police dossier, garnered just 24 votes as an independent in Pembroke Central as Wayne Perionchief (PLP) romps home.

Julian Hall says the result has totally discredited the media (specifically the Gazette and Mid-Ocean but does not mention ZBM, who also fought the Government over the issue) and says the anti-Brown campaign served only to galvanise his support.

Jerome Dill: “The story is that at the end of the day, the faithful have come home.”

Hall and Dill suggest the new faces in the UBP will make it a more dynamic and different opposition.

Brown “so proud”

Dr Brown on ZBM: “It’s clear that we have delivered a victory. I am so proud of them. There was an effort to make this an election between me and Michael Dunkley. We don’t have those things in Bermuda. His opponent was Patrice Minors.”

Julian Hall on ZBM: “I’m so proud that the PLP have stood behind Dr Brown in the face of the slings and arrows thrown at him.”

Randy Horton retains Southampton West for PLP. Stanley Lowe holds Southampton East for PLP. Patricia Gordon Pamplin holds Paget West for UBP.

PLP 21-12

PLP heads for victory

Donte Hunt takes St George’s South for UBP and Grant Gibbons holds Paget East. Derrick Burgess holds Hamilton East for PLP. Cole Simons wins Smith’s South.

Wayne Furbert holds Hamilton West and admits on ZBM he made the decision to switch Dunkley to Smiths North when he was leader but says he expected Dunkley to win. Bob Richards says he is “saddened” by Dunkley’s loss and called him “courageous” for what he tried to achieve. Wouldn’t be drawn on a future leader. Calls his own win in Devonshire East as “hollow” because of the UBP’s poor showing.

Interesting stat: Neville Tyrell (PLP) lost UBP stronghold Devonshire East by over 200 in 2003, only 27 this time. If Tyrell can make those inroads, it does not bode well for the future of the UBP.

At 11:02, Julian Hall and Tom Vesey predict 22-14 PLP win – no change overall. Celebrations have started at Alaska Hall.

Dunkley “disappointed” but no regrets

Dunkley says on ZBM he is “very disappointed” at losing to Patrice Minors but adds he has no regrets about his gamble to run against a PLP incumbent. “If you’re going to win the Government you have to win more seats. I was not afraid to take that risk.” Said he is not sure where he or the UBP goes from here.

Ashfield DeVent holds Pembroke South East for PLP. Bob Richards holds Dunkley’s old Devonshire East seat for the UBP. Warwick S Central held by Ewart Brown

Julian Hall predicts the UBP is finished as a brand and that Richards is a likely new leader.

PLP lead 17-9

Zane zaps Dodwell

Zane DeSilva beats UBP veteran David Dodwell (Southampton E Central) in the biggest upset of the night so far. Julian Hall predicts it will change the face of Bermuda politics as evidence a white PLP candidate can win. Terry Lister holds Sandys South for PLP, Walter Lister holds Sandys South Central,
Interesting polint by ZBM’s Gary Moreno: Jennifer Smith’s margin is actually the same if you take into account the 16 votes that went to the Gombey Liberation Party in 2003.

Why is the Gazette saying that Patrice Minors’ win is a shock upset? It was her seat to begin with!

PLP lead 10-6.

Dunkley defeated

Any faint hopes the UBP might have harboured of a victory are finally dashed as Michael Dunkley is beaten by 92 votes by Patrice Minors in Smith’s North. Jennifer Smith increases her majority from 8 to 25 in St. George’s North for the PLP. Louise Jackson holds Pembroke SW for the UBP. Michael Scott (PLP) wins Sandys North. PLP lead 7-5

Results swing PLP way

Dennis Lister holds Sandys North Central. Warwick NE is held by Dale Butler. Score: PLP 4 UBP 4. Clearly UBP are not making the gains they had hoped. Julian Hall on ZBM reckons PLP will add at least one seat overall. It is beginning to look that way.

More winners

El James confirmed as winner, Shawn Crockwell holds Jamahl Simmons’ old seat in Pembroke West.

Latest score: PLP 2, UBP 3

Night sours for Dunkley

First real significant news of the night: Dunkley is now more than 60 behind on the third count. As Julian Hall sang on ZBM: “Let’s just kiss and say goodbye …” Glenn Blakeney (PLP, Devonshire N Central) and Darius Tucker are officially declared winners. ZBM is doing a good job of cutting out into the field and were the first to have Darius Tucker on the line. Kim Swan has just won St George’s West for the UBP. Even Julian said he deserved it.

So far: PLP 1 UBP 2. UBP gain: 1