Dear Sir,

The current immigration debate has clearly brought to a head deep-rooted feelings. The opinions of both sides are valid and should be listened to very carefully.

This issue is proving to be polemic and it must be handled with the greatest of sensitivity and respect, and with the utmost of consideration for young people on the island.

There are strong arguments to be made on both sides; the very real concern over future employment cannot be discounted; the potential watering down of culture has absolute validity.

On the other hand there is the contribution, both economically and socially, that many workers from overseas have made to the island, which also cannot be discounted and the longevity involved in gaining status also has validity.

As John Lydgate once said, “You can please some of the people all of the time, you can please all of the people some of the time, but you can’t please all of the people all of the time.”

So what to do? The answer is unnervingly simple. The answer is compromise. With that in mind and with the deepest of respect to both sides, I would like to start a conversation about compromise. Here is one possible compromise:

• The maintaining of the current position of granting PRC status at 15 years and full status at 20 years.

• The conversion of PRC status to full status to be granted to key workers only, very specifically doctors, nurses, police officers, fire officers, prison officers and teachers.

• The granting of full status to any child born to the parent of a full status holder, who gained this status through the key worker clause.

• Children of PRC status holders to be granted PRC status at 15 years of age and only as long as they and at least one PRC parent has remained on the island for the whole duration of those 15 years (excluding medical need or schooling). Following this, they may only be granted full status if they maintain key worker employment in Bermuda for five consecutive years.

• Rigorous preference in employment to be given to full status holders over PRC status holders, and of PRC status holders over ex-patriot workers.

I am sure there will be those who will criticise this possible compromise. Good. This means they have a different possible compromise. Put that compromise into the hat and help to generate a positive conversation whereby a mutually beneficial solution can be found.

ANNA RIDGEWAY