Dear Sir,

This letter is about Bermuda’s future; in fact, the future of anywhere. I sincerely hope Young Bermuda, upon whose shoulders it will fall, will understand where I am coming from.

Freedom

First, just think about freedom in general and our political systems in Bermuda, Britain and continental Europe, the Commonwealth, and most other “free” countries. The systems are all about “representative” democracy, meaning we vote for someone who represents a party to become our representative, our “asset” in government, for a fixed number of years, and they remain there “for better or for worse”.

We’re locked in, right?

No way to change until the next General Election. Years away. We’re stuck, no way to change. At least with buying an “asset” like property or shares or bonds, there is a way to get rid of it or make a change … you just sell it!

Let’s think this through. There is a solution!

Are the persons we vote for — in a so-called “representative” democracy — really interested in representing you? Or do they, their family, put their own interests first? And, second, will they put the party’s interests next? You, the voter, are third — if you’re lucky.

So, let’s have a look at the existing government Progressive Labour Parry “constitution”, which, inter alia, tells you what some of its objectives are. Have you read this document? Has anyone read it at all — or before voting for a “representative”? Is there such a thing as an approved “constitution” of the One Bermuda Alliance, outlining its objectives?

One example

This is one example of part of the PLP constitution (edition April 1, 2019) Article III — Objects, Page 6, A (v):

“To serve as a vehicle in moving Bermuda to independence by political education, information and public meetings so that the people of Bermuda can be fully informed of what independence for Bermuda means and the party will work towards achieving the necessary electoral reforms, which are preconditions for Bermuda achieving nationhood.”

So does this mean that by voting for a PLP candidate, you are ready to be persuaded to favour Bermuda going independent, regardless of bad economic timing or other negative risks? Regardless of polls showing a very high percentage of voters who are not in favour of going independent?

The solution: direct democracy

One solution is to change the laws in Bermuda’s constitution, and give the decision-making power to the people — for a change — by implementing a system of initiatives, petitions and “yes or no” referendums for major issues. They work only if:

• Referendum decisions are binding on Government [thus bypassing the “representatives”, who can vote like everyone else in the referendum]. (If the referendum is not automatically binding on Government, the results would be simply a poll without power)

• The referendum has to stand alone without conflicts of interest, and no political or other matter, such as a General Election, to divert the attention of the voter

• The referendum must be held, at the very least, six weeks apart from a General Election

• There must be people appointed to a “counting panel” as independent and unbiased (Justices of the Peace, for example) to count the votes fairly

• One member from each party joins the “counting panel”

• All voters must have an opportunity to read and assess the pros and cons of the issue at least six weeks before the referendum

Direct democracy means voting for an issue, bypassing elected representatives.

This referendum system is called direct democracy because it hands the power of decision-making to the people. This is the system used regularly in neutral Switzerland, where the population is divided between people who come from different ethnic backgrounds and who speak different languages: German, French and Italian. Thus, it does not matter what colour, country, language, creed, race or religion you are; a referendum completely bypasses these questions.

In Bermuda, any such changes that alter the Constitution would presumably have to be confirmed by the British Parliament.

The future of Bermuda

In my opinion, adopting this plan of action would place in the hands of the people decision-making on major or difficult issues, whether concerning questions of gender, big planning changes, laws pertaining to the use of drugs, or any other changes that may be needed in the future for the benefit of everyone.

Thank you, Mr Editor, for allowing me this space to express my views.

MICHAEL G. MARSH

Smith’s