There are times in the life of every nation when it is necessary to go beyond the confines of normal discourse and to speak directly to the people. One such occasion is right now when I, as Leader of the Opposition, am expected on behalf of my party to respond to the Report of the Ministers and Members of the Legislature Salaries Review Board on the sensitive issue of increases in salaries for Legislators.

The United Bermuda Party reiterates its support for periodic reviews of the salaries of Ministers and Members of the Legislature. In addition, the United Bermuda Party wholeheartedly endorsed the appointment of the 8-member Salaries Review Board in July 2005 and cooperated fully with this Board in carrying out its duties. The Party Representatives did so for the following reasons:

By 2005 a Review was long overdue, since the last time this issue was addressed was in March 1994.

Society, its issues and challenges, have become more complex and demanding, thereby generating new issues that require both the review of existing legislation and the enactment of additional legislation.

Increasing demands are being made on the time of Cabinet Ministers and other Legislators as a result, throwing into sharp focus the difference between full-time and part-time work.

Many talented people are not getting involved in politics because they are attracted to corporate upward mobility through companies that are in a position to offer more appealing remuneration packages to employees who are considered leaders and critical decision makers. Hence this nation runs the risk of not attracting high-calibre entrants to the Legislature.

A highly respected and competent team, that was well balanced professionally and politically, had been assembled to carry out the review.

We have considered the Report and its recommendations of the Ministers and Members of the Legislature Salaries Review Board, and have come to the conclusion that we accept it. The reasons are:

It offers no objective means of arriving at salary increases, or lack thereof, for the different categories of Legislators. The Report lacks rationale for the very brief and confusing recommendations made on page 11 of the document.

There is no justification for the Committee only recommending a percentage increase which is in line with the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for Senators. Did this Committee consider that fewer Senators in the Upper House deal with the same pieces of legislation as their more numerous counterparts in the Lower House?

The Committee has not considered the entire compensation package and the impact the proposed increases, or any increases, would have on the member?s pension fund and ultimately the consolidated fund.

There is no difference between ?full-time Minister of Cabinet? and ?part-time Minister of Cabinet? to justify paying the former twice the amount paid to the latter.

We have given this issue considerable thought and conclude that the report has been produced under considerable time constraints. The Committee was forced to produce within four months a report that it was originally given seven months to complete. There has been no justifiable argument made to the people of this country as to why their Legislators need salary increases of this magnitude in the face of so many pressing social issues. For this reason alone if there were no other, the United Bermuda Party cannot and will not endorse the recommendations.

We recommend the following:

That the report be returned to the Committee for further study with a view to providing a more comprehensive report on the entire compensation package which will take into account the impact on members? pension and other benefits.

That the Committee examines and considers the issue of full-time and part-time Ministers and subsequently provides suitable criteria by which Ministers are determined full-time or part-time.

That any salary increase will take effect upon the election of the NEXT PARLIAMENT.

The United Bermuda Party has a vision. More importantly, we have gone beyond being visionaries and are in the process of making that vision a reality. In sharing that vision with the people of this country, I promise to be honest and to keep the people informed.

We accept that in the modern world in which many professions compete for scarce talent and pay them well to do so, we have to also pay decent salaries to attract and keep high calibre political leaders. Indeed poor remuneration is often quoted as an excuse for corruption. As a result many MPs and Senators find that they have to make financial sacrifices in order to serve their country. Frankly speaking, many Parliamentarians cannot make ends meet.

Politics is no longer the preserve of the gentry. Democracy requires representation from all strata of society. We need to be in step with the public as it relates to Parliamentary Salaries and it is important that we provide all the necessary information for them to express a view and help make a determination.

We have to destroy the many myths that surround politics. Times have changed and we must therefore change our paradigm towards it.

We recognise that there is work to be done to educate the public on the work of a Parliamentarian and the demand that it places on our time.

This is a necessary prerequisite for realising the New Bermuda for which the people are yearning.

The creation of a Political Commission to investigate and recommend the adoption of modern practices that are common features of other jurisdictions to make the actions of the Government and the Legislature more transparent and accountable

A Code of Conduct for Members of Parliament and Senators

A legislative strengthening and expansion in the operation of the Members? Registrar of Interests

The introduction of Anti-Corruption Legislation