Premier David Burt would not be drawn on questions about the other potential C36 candidates… or Kathy-Lynn Simmons’ resignation that led to the bye-election.

The Premier spoke to Gary Foster Skelton after the press conference.

Meanwhile, the OBA is also being hush-hush about candidate selection in Constituency 9 Smith’s West, which Vance Campbell claimed for the PLP in 2020, beating the OBA’s Vic Ball.

This week Mr Campbell crossed the floor to the OBA.

More in this segment…

PLP Senator Reverend Dr Emily Gail Dill is the PLP’s candidate for Constituency 36 Sandy’s North.

She will contest for the current PLP seat in the October 4th bye-election, looking to ward off challenges from the OBA’s Carl Neblett and Independent Cire (SIGH-REE) Bean.

Premier David Burt would not confirm or deny that sitting PLP MPs Jache Adams and Ianthia Simmons-Wade had also been vying to become the PLP’s C36 candidate – or that they withdrew this week.

Reverend Dr Dill is assistant pastor at Allen Temple AME church in Somerset, and said her time there has allowed her to engage with the community and strengthened her commitment to them.

Senator Owen Darrell was announced on Thursday as the PLP’s candidate for Constituency 15, Pembroke East.

Premier David Burt’s former chief of staff says he’s eager to get to work in the seat formerly held by Deputy Premier Walter Roban.

Jasmine Patterson has the details.

The writing was on the wall…

Another Hamilton retailer will be shutting its doors mid-September due to low foot traffic to its Queen Street location. 

It’s a decision not taken lightly after two years in operation according to business owner, Sharrieff Wales. He offered discounted prices on name brand goods but sales have been flat.

Jasmine Patterson spoke with Mr. Wales.

VANCE CAMPBELL INTERVIEW PT.3

A former PLP Minister says Government’s economic efforts are not sufficiently helping its voter base, and immigration reform is needed.

Following Vance Campbell’s decision to leave the PLP and join the OBA, his former party released a statement quoting his comments in the House of Assembly in February.

At the time, Mr. Campbell lauded the fiscal prudence of the PLP, its policies of eliminating duty on staple foods, freezing fuel prices and Government health premiums, and reducing payroll tax.

Mr. Campbell told Gary Foster Skelton his perspective has changed.

*We reached out to the PLP for a response to Mr Campbell’s comments

VANCE CAMPBELL INTERVIEW PT.2

Some critics have suggested Vance Campbell ‘crossing the floor’ is self-serving; that his attempt to move to a safer PLP seat and now joining the OBA is just to keep him in his MP salary and pension. Mr Campbell denies that this is the case.

He also says there is internal turmoil within the PLP, and dissatisfaction with the leadership of Premier David Burt.

VANCE CAMPBELL INTERVIEW PT.1

Vance Campbell’s defection from the PLP to the OBA has caused a stir in a pot that was already bubbling since he resigned as a Cabinet Minister, alongside former Attorney General Kathy-Lynn Simmons.

Gary Foster Skelton sat down with him for his very first interview since turning from green to red.

We questioned him about the reasons for crossing the floor, his attempt to move to a safer PLP seat, and some of the reaction to his defection.

As one politician crosses the floor in Constituency 9, are others looking to leap from one constituency to another?

According to our sources, Pembroke West MP Jache Adams and Warwick North East MP Ianthia Simmons-Wade have both been canvassing traditional PLP voters in Sandy’s North to obtain support.

Reporting on political machinations can often be speculative… and especially when parties keep a veil of secrecy over their inner workings.

Gary Foster Skelton has been following the crumbs of information.

*JUST IN: Just before newstime, Premier David Burt responded to our request for comment, and reiterated the PLP’s policy of not discussing internal matters, including the processes related to candidate selection.

He said, “Any comment from anonymous sources that states otherwise should be treated as idle speculation and rumour.”

Another shooting incident, another grim milestone reached this weekend.

The first time police have ever had to fire at another person.

Police Commissioner Darren Simons today provided an update on what happened on Saturday night in the Khyber Pass area of Warwick.