The Progressive Labour Party said yesterday that its “diverse” team of General Election candidates was ready and willing to serve.A spokeswoman explained that the ten women in the 36-strong group represented a record number of females, while the team featured “Bermudians from all walks of life”.She added: “We have accountants, lawyers and finance professionals. We have trade unionists and trades people. We have healthcare professionals and educators. We have entrepreneurs and social workers. “We have a diverse team of professionals ready, willing and able to serve.”The comments came after PLP candidates were nominated to battle for House of Assembly seats in the election next month.“We are proud to serve, and look forward to being re-elected on October 1 to continue the progress we have started,” the spokeswoman said.“We have the strong leadership and the best team to navigate Bermuda through these unprecedented challenges. “We humbly ask Bermudians to keep strong leadership working for us on October 1.” David Burt, the Premier and party leader, said: “We are making changes for the better of this country, so we’re going to continue making those changes.”He added: “We’ve been out on the doorsteps working and we just want to make sure we get ourselves back to work, so we canvass, canvass, canvass.”The Premier would not predict how many of the 36 candidates would become MPs.He said: “The party is going to work to earn every single vote throughout this country.“We have a proud record and a strong vision for the future and we are happy to put that to the judgment of the people of this country.”Dennis Lister, who was the longest-serving MP in the last Parliament after he was first elected in 1989, said he hoped to continue his role as Speaker of the House.He said: “The seniority that I bring to the table helps to keep the proper decorum and order in the House.”Zane DeSilva and Wayne Caines, who resigned their posts as Minister of Tourism and Transport, and Minister of National Security respectively after they were caught on camera in breach of Covid-19 regulations at an event in July, hoped they could continue to serve constituents.Mr DeSilva, the PLP candidate for Southampton East, which will be contested by the One Bermuda Alliance’s DaQuan Scott, said: “I’ll be holding social events, continuing to stay in touch with our people as much as I can.”On whether he would like a return to Cabinet, Mr DeSilva said: “I am always here to serve. If the Premier wants me to serve, that’s what I am here for — to serve in whatever capacity.”Mr Caines, who will fight to be re-elected in Devonshire North West, where Catherine Kempe will run for the OBA, said: “This is about service to my community. I am excited to continue to work for the people of Constituency 14. “My priorities for the constituency remain a myriad. People are looking for better times economically, there are issues around roads and lighting. “I am a servant of the people and committed to working hard.”Jamahl Simmons, of the PLP, who will face the Free Democratic Movement’s Christina Storey in Sandys South, said that the work carried out between elections is “what pays off now”.He added that his team was very active before the coronavirus pandemic.Mr Simmons said: “This is just going back and making sure that everyone is OK, if they have any questions or concerns — and the feedback has been really positive.“Actually, I’ve been surprised at the level of enthusiasm for this election because initially I had thought with it being a snap election there would be a little bit less enthusiasm.”He added: “I’m feeling very optimistic.“The work has been done and we will see how it goes on the day.”Mr Simmons said that the main concern for constituents in his area was employment.