Stanley Lowe, Former Speaker of the House & PLP MP

News Release: Hamilton, Bermuda – The Progressive Labour Party joins with the people of Bermuda in mourning the passing of a political icon; Stanley Lowe who was first elected to Parliament in 1968 as the PLP Member of Parliament for Southampton East.

Educated at Heron Bay School he then went on to earn his degree from Wilberforce University in Ohio, USA. When Mr Lowe became an elected official, he pledged to serve the underserved and disenfranchised of Bermuda.

As a Bermudian born and bred in Southampton he brought the wishes, hopes and desires of his community into the national spotlight.

Stanley Lowe’s endless representations and comments during debate in the House of Assembly assured constituents of Southampton East their voices would be heard.

Mr Lowe was a member of many organisations. Most notably, he was an instrumental member of the Southampton Rangers Sports Club and is fondly remembered as contributing to the club’s growth.

Through his contributions as a member and as a Club trustee, the club is now seen as a pivotal component of social and civic life of the Southampton community.

As a Member of the Legislature, he would spend many years as the Party Whip, mastering the operations of the Parliamentary process.  This would lead him to be elected Deputy Speaker of the Bermuda House of Assembly in November 1995, with the support of both sides of the House.

He was not only known for his in-depth knowledge of the process, rules and procedure but also remembered for how he would carry out his duties in a fair and orderly manner.

Upon the PLP’s historic victory in November 1998, Mr Lowe became Bermuda’s first Black Speaker of the House of Assembly, a role Mr Lowe had prepared himself for. He served in this position with distinction before retiring from frontline politics in 2012.

PLP Leader and Premier David Burt said: “I am deeply saddened to learn of the passing of a man who gave much of his life to the service of his country.  He was one of several PLP MPs who were elected in 1968 who spent 30 years in the political wilderness of Opposition before the PLP attained their first electoral victory in 1998.

“Those who have served in opposition know the sacrifice, struggle and discouraging nature of that constitutional role and so to have served for over 30 years as a voice of the unheard is truly noteworthy.”

Premier Burt added: “The Party extends its deepest condolences to the family of Speaker Lowe and thank them for allowing him to share his wisdom, compassion and vision of a better, fairer Bermuda with all of us.”