The Progressive Labour Party has made it clear that it will not grant Bermudian status to anyone, regardless of how long they have lived on the island or the contributions they have made to our society. This is a damaging policy that ignores Bermuda’s economic and demographic realities, and undermines the very foundations of a fair and inclusive society.

A shrinking population and economic consequences

Bermuda is facing a population crisis. Our birthrate is at an historic low and emigration— particularly among young, educated Bermudians — continues to drain our workforce. This means fewer taxpayers, fewer consumers and fewer workers to support businesses and essential services.

A shrinking population places immense strain on our economy:

• Health insurance costs: with fewer working-age people contributing to health insurance pools, premiums rise for everyone. In many countries, a growing population helps to balance healthcare costs, but Bermuda’s refusal to integrate long-term residents into the system exacerbates this financial burden

• Tax revenue and public services: a smaller workforce means reduced tax revenue, which puts pressure on the Government to either raise taxes or cut services. Without a sustainable population, the cost of running the country will continue to climb, affecting everything from education to infrastructure

• Job creation and economic growth: more people in the workforce means increased spending, business expansion and job opportunities. Countries that attract and retain talent through fair immigration policies tend to experience stronger economic growth, while restrictive policies stunt progress

Voting rights: a question of fairness

The PLP seems to be doing all it can to prevent Bermudians from having voices beyond our shores. Our students are yet again denied the opportunity to vote. Yet the Premier claims that the youth are important to the future of Bermuda.

Meanwhile, Bermudians who live overseas lose their right to vote simply because they reside outside of the country.

Many democratic nations, including the United States, Britain and Canada, allow its citizens to vote from abroad.

Yet the PLP government refuses to extend this fundamental right to its own people, while simultaneously denying it to long-term residents who have spent their lives here.

Global standards for citizenship

Across the world, developed nations recognise the contributions of long-term residents and provide a clear path to citizenship:

• United States: permanent residents (Green Card holders) can apply for citizenship after five years

• Canada: permanent residents can apply for citizenship after three years

• Britain: after five years of residency, individuals can apply for indefinite leave to remain, and after one additional year, they can apply for full citizenship

Before we get into a debate regarding how many years and what criteria is used by countries in their pathway, we need to ask how many countries in the world have no pathway to citizenship?

The OBA previously proposed a 15-year pathway to a permanent resident’s certificate and a 20-year pathway to Bermudian status — a policy that would strike a fair balance between protecting Bermudians and recognising the contributions of long-term residents.

The PLP, however, refuses to acknowledge any pathway at all. Under its policy, a person could be in Bermuda and contribute for 100 years but still not be “Bermudian enough” to vote.

Who has received status? The PLP must provide answers

The PLP has been in power since 2017, yet it has not disclosed how many people have been granted status or PRC during its tenure. The public deserve to know:

• How many individuals have been granted Bermudian status since 2017?

• How were these individuals eligible?

• How many PRCs have been issued in the same period?

Famous Bermudians who received status

Bermuda has long benefited from individuals who were not born here, but who made incredible contributions to our island and were rightfully granted status. Some of our most distinguished figures include:

• Dame Flora Duffy: born in Bermuda to a non-Bermudian father, she obtained status and went on to become Bermuda’s most decorated athlete, winning Olympic gold in triathlon and putting Bermuda on the world stage

• Sir Edward Trenton “E.T.” Richards: born in British Guiana (now Guyana), he became Bermuda’s first Black premier and a champion for social justice

• Edgar Fitzgerald Gordon, PhD: Originally from Trinidad & Tobago, he became a National Hero and the father of Bermuda’s labour movement

• Barbara Ball, PhD: a physician and civil rights activist who played a pivotal role in the fight for equality in Bermuda

Without a pathway to citizenship, would these individuals have been able to contribute to Bermuda in the same way? The PLP’s immigration stance risks pushing away future leaders who could strengthen our society.

Belonger status and PRC rights

In many British Overseas Territories, “belonger” status grants specific rights to individuals closely connected to the territory, such as the right to reside, vote and own property. Bermuda’s PRC system, however, offers far fewer rights than BOTC status in other jurisdictions. The Government must explain why long-term residents in Bermuda are treated differently from those in similar territories. Many PRC holders are also applying to have BOTC. What rights are being gained by people receiving BOTC and how many applications have been approved since 2017?

PLP scare tactics v OBA solutions

The PLP’s refusal to engage in meaningful immigration reform is based on fearmongering and misinformation rather than facts. Its narrative suggests that granting status would flood Bermuda with outsiders who will displace Bermudians. This is simply not true. The bipartisan immigration reform committee collected information regarding how many people would apply for status. Why has the PLP not released those figures? Instead, it tries to conflate the issue with closed categories and jobs. The people eligible for PRC, and eventually status, would have already gone through a minimum of 15 years of scrutiny and been able to maintain employment.

The OBA’s approach would provide policy that is focused on stability, fairness and economic sustainability. It ensures that people who have dedicated their lives to Bermuda have a fair opportunity to fully integrate into society while also addressing our demographic challenges and maintaining the opportunity for Bermudians to flourish.

Bermuda cannot afford to keep shutting out the very people who help to sustain our economy and society. We must move past divisive rhetoric and focus on real solutions.

The OBA is committed to transparent, fair and responsible immigration reform that strengthens Bermuda’s future. The PLP must stop using immigration as a political weapon and start providing answers to the public about its own policies.

Bermuda deserves better.

• Ben Smith is the deputy leader of the One Bermuda Alliance and the candidate for Smith’s South (Constituency 8) in the next General Election

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