Political grandstanding

December 1, 2008

Dear Sir,

The near hysterical overreaction from Dr. Brown regarding the visit announced by Alistair Darling, the UK Chancellor of the Exchequer, is true political grandstanding of the worst kind.

For the previous two sessions of Parliament it was all about "if's" and attempts to draw incongruous parallels between President-elect Obama and the voting trends of white Bermudians; this week the focus is on our "colonial master" (although it must be said he again wasted no opportunity to insert an Obama reference in this week's rant). Are these histrionics in any way helpful or beneficial to "moving us forward" or are they nothing more than a local version of the Chewbacca DefenCe aimed at deflecting attention from the real issues of an unproductive government (i.e. failing economy, tourism, education system as well as the lack of affordable housing opportunities, PATI legislation or a transparent government)?

The fact we've doubled our contributions to the public purse over the last ten years and received no appreciable return on that ever growing investment makes one wonder. I don't recall this type of overreaction from the numerous IMF visits over the last decade so why all the fuss now?

Notwithstanding the juvenile tactics described above, one remark that I found especially irksome was the following: "We pay that without comment or notice for the Governor and Deputy governor's salary and their cars, their security, their travel, their housekeepers and maidservants."

Based on an ever increasing entourage, I think the Premier needs to recognise that he could very easily take the place of "the Governor and Deputy Governor" in that sentence. Furthermore I don't see Government House exponentially increasing their staffing levels and perks the way the Premier and Cabinet Office have been doing over the years

So, for the sake of open, honest and transparent government (and the adage ... Judge Not Lest Ye Be Judged) let's put an end to this chicanery and welcome any form of financial review of our systems and controls to ensure the rest of the world will continue to put their faith and trust in Bermuda.

KEG

Pembroke