David Burt, the Premier, announced that Jason Hayward, president of the Bermuda Public Services Union, will stand in the seat after the sudden death of sitting Progressive Labour Party MP Walton Brown last month.Mr Hayward said that the circumstances made his nomination “somewhat bittersweet”.He added: “I don’t stand here with the intent to walk in his shoes, but what I expect to do is continue his unwavering commitment to public service.”Mr Hayward said that he intended to focus on workers’ rights and “social and economic inequalities” if elected.He added that quality education and affordable healthcare were also priorities. He said: “Individuals in that constituency need a strong voice in the House of Assembly and I aim to be that strong voice.“I have been a committed public servant for at least the last 15 years of my life and I ask the members of Constituency 17 Pembroke Central to support me on November 21 in being your representative.”Mr Hayward was speaking at the PLP’s Alaska Hall headquarters in Hamilton after he was announced as the candidate.A e-mail sent to The Royal Gazette claimed that 65 per cent of branch members voted last Sunday against Mr Hayward and that a motion to field Jamaine Smith was ignored by Mr Burt, who attended the meeting.Mr Burt said yesterday that candidate selection was an internal matter for the party.bodynoindent: He added that Mr Hayward was “a household name for his vigorous defence of, and his advocacy for, workers’ rights in Bermuda”.Mr Burt said: “Without question he is a man of the people who has put himself on the frontline to ensure that he stands up for the rights of Bermudians.“He is a progressive thinker who is committed to challenging the status quo that exists in this country.“I am absolutely certain that he will be an asset to our team in the House of Assembly.”Mr Hayward also declined to comment on Ms Smith’s candidacy for the seat.Mr Hayward, who became president of the BPSU in 2014, was appointed to the Senate in 2017.The OBA has not yet named its candidate for the by-election, but it understood that One Bermuda Alliance senator Nick Kempe is the front-runner.