Cabinet Minister Jason Hayward has called on Progressive Labour Party members to keep the party together as its leadership contest gathers pace, cautioning against letting internal competition create lasting divisions.

In a message addressed directly to party members, Mr Hayward pushed back on media coverage portraying him and fellow contender Curtis Dickinson as rivals, stressing that the two men share more common ground than conflict. He urged supporters not to allow the leadership race to turn the PLP against itself, emphasising that the party's shared purpose outweighs the outcome of any single internal election.

The minister's comments come as political watchers in Bermuda closely follow the contest, which will determine the future direction of the governing party and, potentially, the island's leadership. Internal party races in Bermuda have historically drawn significant public attention, given the PLP's majority standing in the House of Assembly.

Mr Hayward framed the contest as a healthy democratic exercise rather than a battle, encouraging members to engage respectfully and remain focused on the broader goals of the party. His appeal for unity signals an effort to steady the party faithful ahead of what could be a closely watched decision with implications for Bermuda's political landscape in the months ahead.