It’s been three months since the General Election that lead to an overwhelming Progressive Labour Party victory. The Election saw an increase of interaction on social media because – that’s where you find the youth. Political canvassing couldn’t be accomplished due to Covid-19.
Government had to get tech savvy.
In the weeks before the Election on October 1, 2020, Instagram and Twitter welcomed many new account members – of parliament.
Response frequency and posts were high days before the election. But since the win – responses have been low and posts have dwindled.
Why do people choose Apps for communication?
In 2020, most people don’t go the route of searching for emails or phone numbers anymore – they search for social media handles. As technology advances, our way of communication advances. And the main cause of development – convenience.
Communication is chosen by the people. Ultimately, it is the people’s choice as to what platform works. And the most convenient line of communication in 2020 – apps.
Majority of people believe that if a MP has an Instagram account – they should be active. About 200 people voted and 85% said that MPs should be responsive on their social media accounts.
140 voters 
198 voters 
169 voters
Of the 15% who voted ‘no’, an anonymous response was, “I think they -MPs- should make a general post if a question is being asked often enough. I think individual responses set too high a bar. If message volume drastically increases, it will cause issues when they are unable to respond to everyone.”
Their belief is that social media may become overwhelming, but if an MP is active they should at least inform their followers with clarity on major issues/ questions around the island.
Did your MP join social media? Where are they?
Consistency is key. Many hopeful elects joined Twitter and Instagram to gain traction before the General Election. But for some, after the Election – posts stop.
Winner Jason Wade, PLP @jwadec30 (Constituency 30) started an Instagram account on August 29, 2020 – two months before the Election, uploaded 10 posts and hasn’t posted since he won.
Winner Jarion Richardson, OBA @jarionrichardon (Constituency 23) joined Instagram on August 28, 2020 – two months prior to the Election. He uploaded 11 posts and hasn’t posted since he won.
The Free Democratic Movement @votefdmbermuda (new political party in the General Election) joined Instagram on September 4, 2020, posted 92 times and hasn’t posted since October 10, 2020. Nine days after the Election.
And that’s just to name a few.
30/36 Members of Parliament have Instagram accounts. However some accounts are private, some haven’t posted since 2018 and others have accounts but never posted.
Only 19 out of the 36 Members of Parliament have public Instagram accounts and have posted at least once since Election Day.
Here are the 19 in order from highest amount of posts since Election Day – to the lowest.
Note: for accuracy, fairness and accountability, only public accounts were added in the list. MEDIA MAYA’S RESEARCH ENDED DECEMBER 27 – PERSONS MAY HAVE POSTED SINCE THAT DATE.
| Constituency/Name | Designation | Date: most recent post | # of posts since Election Day (Oct.1) | |
| (10) Michael Dunkley | Shadow Minister of national Security and Health | @mdunkleybda | December 27, 2020 | 89 |
| (24) Lawrence Scott | Minister of Transportation | @scotty1906 | December 24, 2020 | 64 |
| (11) Christopher Famous | Backbencher | @thomas_christoper_famous | December 27, 2020 | 36 |
| (18) David Burt | Premier of Bermuda | @davidburtmp | December 26, 2020 | 31 |
| (7) Anthony Richardson | Backbencher | @Anthony.richardsonbda | December 24, 2020 | 27 |
| (31) Crystal Caesar | Backbencher | @mpcccaesar | December 24, 2020 | 27 |
| (26) Neville Tyrrell | Backbencher | @constituency26 | December 25, 2020 | 26 |
| (13) Diallo Rabain | Minister of Education | @diallo_rabain | December 25, 2020 | 26 |
| (28) Dennis Lister III | Backbencher | @mpdennislister3 | December 26, 2020 | 18 |
| (1) Renee Ming | Minister of National Security | @mp.rming | December 27, 2020 | 13 |
| (3) Lovitta Foggo | Backbencher | @lfoggo_official | December 25, 2020 | 12 |
| (17) Jason Hayward | Minister of Labour | @jasonhaywardjpmp | December 11, 2020 | 10 |
| (19) Jache Adams | Backbencher | @jacheadamsplp | December 2, 2020 | 6 |
| (15) Walter Roban | Deputy Premier and Minister of Home Affairs | @ministerwroban | November 16, 2020 | 4 |
| (14) Wayne Caines | Backbencher | @hurricaines | December 25, 2020 | 3 |
| (2) Kim Swan | Backbencher | @kimswangolf | December 27, 2020 | 2 |
| (25) Ianthia Simmons-Wade | Backbencher | @ianthiag | October 4, 2020 | 1 |
| (6) Wayne Furbert | Minister For The Cabinet Office | @waynefurbert | October 2, 2020 | 1 |
| (23) Jarion Richardson | Opposition Whip and Shadow Minister for Labour and Home Affairs | @jarionrichardson | October 1, 2020 | 1 |
Why do MPs have social media accounts?
The Hon. Michael Dunkley posts the most – the majority are landscape images. Following would be: his business, family and community.
Minister of Transportation Lawrence Scott, JP, MP has the second highest active account – since the day of the General Election. Minister Scott uses his account to show his daily life: ministry work, sports, community gatherings, and hobbies.
Minister Scott says one of the greatest benefits of having your own social media platform is transparency.
“I personally believe the media puts things out of context. And having my own platform allows me to set the story straight,” he says. “That’s how social media helps. It allows me to be accurate, unedited and unfiltered when needed.”
Minister Scott says, “It’s not easy keeping socials updated, but I make sure to take time out of my schedule to update the community on my day.”
Most Ministers do not have a team operating their accounts – unlike the Hon. Premier David Burt. The Premier has a team helping with his social media accounts – but on Twitter you know it’s the Premier himself responding when he signs ‘-DB’. Twitter is where the Premier is most active.
Looking toward the future of politics and media – Minister Scott believes that in the next election, social media will play an important role in who wins.
“Say someone had a profile but stopped posting for a year and then the election arises and now they post again – people will question how authentic is their post?”
Minister Scott says actions speak louder than words and using social media helps to log those actions. He uses Instagram as a book of proof.
“If I go on a podium and say ‘I’m there for my constituency, I’m available on a regular basis’ people can search my accounts and see – yes, he does make himself available every Saturday.”
Transparency, communication and logging work to keep record is how Minister Scott uses his platform.
Party, Platform, Personal Profile
Former Senator Dwayne Robinson lost in the General Election to Dennis Lister the III for Constituency 28. Robinson has been on Instagram ( @theoldsoul) since 2013 and joined Twitter (@theoldsoul441) in 2016.
Dennis Lister III, JP, MP has no Twitter account and joined Instagram (@mpdennislister3) three months prior to the 2020 Election.
“People vote party and his party ran a better campaign,” says Former Senator Dwayne Robinson about his loss to Dennis Lister III. Although Robinson was more engaging on Twitter and had a longer appearance on Instagram – he did not win. However, he believes that having a social media platform helped him reach the community.
“I believe social media definitely boosted my personal profile,” he says. When asked if Ministers should be active on social media, Robinson replied “yes, because it allows interaction and accessibility for their constituency.”
“People are all about convenience and it’s on us politicians, to make ourselves accessible.”
Is there an obligation for MPs to engage on social media?
Government often asks the community for feedback – but are they asking in the right circles? And in the correct way?
Kjeld Conyers of Catalyst Conversation says Members of Parliament should be going to the people if they want the information – not the other way around. He says if Twitter is where the young people are – that’s where the questions and interactions should be.
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There are people who believe communication through applications is not appropriate.
An anonymous response on MEDIA MAYA Instagram poll says,”There are professional avenues for us to communicate with MPs. Bermuda is one of a few places that are able to closely communicate with their government. I don’t think they should be obligated to respond.”
They also suggested a way to increase the communications should an MP already have an account – but are inactive.
“Maybe MPs can have an auto-response that provides ways to appropriately contact them about government matters.”
If MPs decide to join the social media realm, should the Government Communication Team make a ‘how to communicate in the current climate’ packet? How many Members of Parliament are actively reaching the youth on their platforms?
Note: this list is in order from most recent post to lest recent. This list only includes public accounts and persons who have posted in 2020 at least once.
| Constituency/Name | Designation | Date: most recent tweet | Active type: Tweets, retweets, Gov scheduled | |
| (10) Micheal Dunkley | Shadow Minister of national Security and Health | @BDAMilkman | December 27, 2020 | Tweets/Retweets |
| (33) Jamahl Simmons | Backbencher | @JamahlSimmons | December 27, 2020 | Tweets/Retweets |
| (13) Diallo Robain | Minister of Education | @Diallo_Rabain | December 26, 2020 | Gov scheduled/ Tweets |
| (18) David Burt | Premier of Bermuda | @BermudaPremier | December 26 2020 | Tweets/ Retweets/ Gov scheduled |
| (17) Jason Hayward | Minister of Labour | @MPJasonHayward | December 25, 2020 | Tweets/ Retweets/ Gov Scheduled |
| (1) Renee Ming | Minister of National Security | @reneemingbda | December 24, 2020 | Retweets/ Gov scheduled |
| (11) Christopher Famous | Backbencher | @ryderz777 | December 24, 2020 | Tweets/ Retweets |
| (24) Lawrence Scott | Minister of Transportation | @Lawrencescott79 | December 14, 2020 | Instagram links |
| (20) Susan Jackson | Backbencher | @turtlebay52 | December 7, 2020 | Tweets/ Retweets |
| (8) N. Cole Simons | Opposition Leader | @NHColeSimons | December 11, 2020 | Retweets |
| (27) Lt. Col David Burch | Minister of Public Works | @ColonelBurch | November 23, 2020 | Retweet/ Tweet |
| (14) Wayne Caines | Backbencher | @Hurricaines06 | November 14, 2020 | Tweets |
| (21) Curtis Dickinson | Minister of Finance | @FinanceBDA | October 29, 2020 | Retweets |
| (23) Jarion Richardson | Opposition Whip and Shadow Minister for Labour and Home Affairs | @OBA_Richardson | September 25, 2020 | Retweets |
| (12) Craig Cannonier | Shadow minister of Public Works | @CannonierOne | August 12, 2020 | Tweets |
If you’re an MP reading this – how do you communicate and update your constituency if you cannot be found online? Do you host zoom meetings to share updates and listen to your community? Or are you communicating like it’s 2010 – waiting for an email or phone call.
Accessibility and convenience.
Communication has shifted. 62% of people search for Instagram handles rather than emails or phone numbers and 72% of people who voted in the MEDIA MAYA Instagram polls do care if their MP’s are accessible on social media.
Are you?
I don’t know who counted @ mpreneemings page on Instagram but I counted 12 post. MP Ming is on Instagram weekly and in constant contact with her constituents in person.
Hi there,
Author Maya Palacio here. For each MP on the list I counted October 1 as a post day if they posted on Election Day. Therefore Minister Ming’s count is 13. However, if you’re referring to the (1) by her name – that’s her constituency number as it falls under the category: Name/constituency. I hope that brings clarity to your comment.
I guess this is for OBA supporters. PLP MPs are out every week doing stuff. Call their headquarters and they’ll get you in touch with someone.