BDA on the verge of dissolving
The Bermuda Democratic Alliance is on the verge of dissolving as its members urge people to “make the bold move” to support the party merger.Senior members have declared that “history is being made” and the future of Bermuda is about to begin with the emergence of the One Bermuda Alliance (OBA).BDA leader Craig Cannonier has thanked supporters for their “overwhelming support” adding that he will continue to work with people under the OBA banner.Members say they are ready to disband the BDA in order to strengthen their values and do what’s right for the country.It comes after rebel UBP members, led by leader Kim Swan and MP Charles Swan, won a temporary court injunction to stall the planned merger between the BDA and UBP.Writs have been served to UBP chairman and Senator Jeanne Atherden, UBP veteran John Barritt and deputy party leader Trevor Moniz and the party’s official launch is on hold pending legal action.Mr Cannonier said the BDA and “a number of MPs from the UBP” had decided to start OBA as the people of Bermuda deserved better political leadership.Mr Cannonier, who looks set to become the deputy leader of the OBA, said: “It is important to recognise that the serious conditions facing Bermuda have made us all aware of the urgency of now. The future of Bermuda is at stake.“Government is failing and the people of Bermuda are demanding new innovative ideas and experience to carry them out. The people want leadership who will acknowledge the real problems that exist and take action to address them for all of Bermuda because I do believe we have had enough of ineffective government.”The decision to merge with UBP was made after “much internal discussion.”The BDA’s National Executive Committee passed a resolution directing UBP leader Mr Cannonier, Chairman Michael Fahy and house leader Shawn Crockwell to sign an agreement with UBP MPs to form the OBA. The BDA will dissolve and wind up its affairs as soon as the official launch of the OBA occurs.Mr Fahy said: “I would never have imagined when we launched the BDA we would dissolve it.“However, the serious conditions facing Bermuda today require us to put aside party loyalties and differences and come together to address these conditions that threaten the future of this great island. A divided opposition cannot stand.”Mr Fahy urged Bermudians who believe the Island is heading in the wrong direction to step forward.He added: “Your enthusiasm to see real change in Bermuda, your passion for changing the dynamic of Bermuda and your desires to see Bermuda become what it should be the jewel in the Atlantic, should not fade with the end of the BDA, but instead it should shine brighter than ever before.”However not everyone is happy in the UBP camp as the loyalists continue to question the procedures surrounding the dissolving of the 47-year-old party.Former UBP MP Erwin Adderley told The Royal Gazette yesterday it wasn’t about stopping the merger, but about addressing the “serious issues.”He said: “They are planning to transfer the responsibility of selection of candidates from the constituents to the Central Committee.“The selection of candidates has always rested with the branches, but now Central will have primary control. It’s basically a change of power.“It’s a significant change and we are interested to see how it is received. People must have the opportunity to comment.”Mr Adderley, who joined the UBP in 1994 and is named as an objector on the court injunction, said they want the UBP Executive to go to the branches to “present the entire proposal and ask for feedback.”He said: “I’m a person who believes in the majority rules. If it’s seen as a good thing then so be it, we can move forward.”