HAMILTON, Bermuda – Finance Minister Paula Cox will be sworn in later on Friday as Bermuda’s new Premier after she convincingly won Thursday night’s run-off to replace outgoing Premier Dr. Ewart Brown.
Cox won the leadership battle against two rivals in a landslide victory on the second day of the PLP’s three-day annual conference.
Cox polled 124 votes, to Terry Lister’s 39 and Dale Butler’s two.
Works and Engineering Minister Derrick Burgess edged out Lister to become Deputy Premier.
Cox will become Bermuda’s third female Premier following Pamela Gordon of the United Bermuda Party (UBP) and Jennifer Smith, who led the PLP to its first election victory in 1998, ending 30 years of UBP rule.
One woman, who did not want to give her name, said after Thursday’s leadership battle at the Devonshire Recreation Club: “I am very happy. I was a supporter of Paula, it’s time for the women to rule.
“I think it will be very interesting to see how she does. She was always in the shadows of Ewart Brown and could not really be herself.I think we will see the real Paula now.”
Brown, 64, who was also Tourism and Transport Minister, was Premier for four years and an MP since 1993 but is quitting politics altogether. (CMC)
