Dear Sir,

As a people we have certain rights, responsibilities and authority as vested citizens where we live. Either by birth, marriage or decree, we have the authority to determine our representation within the political process, and the rights and responsibility to exercise such authority.

These rights, responsibilities and authority form part of a collective policy of governance, inclusive of the development of an immigration policy to manage the social and economic infrastructures of a country. With this, the concept of comprehensive immigration has been formulated, executed and developed over thousands of years in many places to form guiding principles to administer such policy. That is, it is what is best at the time.

Effective governance and comprehensive does not mean bipartisan. It never has and those sitting in the House on the Hill know that.

Former administrations had their turn and time. Did they consult or did they use their majority vote to determine policy. The United Bermuda Party did it. The Progressive Labour Party certainly said and did it, and the One Bermuda Alliance will do it also. It is politics and Bermuda’s colonial system does not embrace collaboration.

That being said, we the people have the authority to decide every five years who we want to not only govern Bermuda, but to make policy and legislative decisions on our behalf. Previous administrations did not consult. They developed and implemented policy based on their advantage and voted based on this advantage. This concept is a global fact and “comprehensive” only means that all factors that influence immigration or any other right and responsibility at all levels should be considered when determining a policy.

The present administration has no other choice but to do something. They have to fix what other administrations did not fix, did not care to fix, nor had the fortitude to do something about. If the people do not agree, they have the right and responsibility to exercise their authority at the next election or even in the street.

Bermuda’s long-term residents have rights and responsibility. Irrespective of how and why and from where they originated, they are residents and all former administrations and how they administered immigration matters are to blame for the lack of policy management. Long-term residents — and all children born in Bermuda — who came to Bermuda legally and are here at least 20 years should be granted the authority via a one-time decree and the class status “PRC” should be eliminated.

If not, the court will decide not in our favour, but based on discrimination and a Nationality Act from a different place. Remember, Bermuda is just a colony. A colony and/or dependent territory administered based on an order from a place that established laws and acts to determine and support citizenship rights.

This order means that courts higher than the one located in the House can and will determine our fate.

SAM B