In the process of setting electoral districts, gerrymandering is a practice that attempts to establish a political advantage for a particular party or group by manipulating district boundaries to create partisan-advantaged districts. The resulting district apportionment is known as a gerrymander; however, that word can also refer to the process. — Gerrymandering definition, Wikipedia

“All work permit-holders have now signed a declaration acknowledging that they are not entitled to permanent residency on the island. The document was introduced by the Government last year after it controversially axed maximum-term limit policies brought in by the previous administration.” — The Royal Gazette, September 10, 2014

So in September 2014, the One Bermuda Alliance made all work permit-holders sign a declaration that they will have no rights to seek to reside here permanently.

Less than two years later, with massive Bermudian unemployment nearing 4,000 persons, the OBA has broken that promise and is now saying that guest workers who have been working here for more than 15 years can now live in Bermuda permanently and no longer have to have work permits. And they wonder why growing numbers of Bermudians no longer trust the OBA?

“Sources within the One Bermuda Alliance fear that the party is on the brink of ‘political suicide’ over its apparent disconnect with ordinary Bermudians. The margin in the February 4 by-election was ‘so large compared to 2012’, one member told colleagues, that ‘what should be very clear is that the One Bermuda Alliance has lost the swing vote’.” — The Royal Gazette, February 17, 2016

Last Thursday, I posed a question to OBA public relations team member Magnus Henagulph.

How many PRCs did the OBA say qualified for status via the “loophole” in 2014 and how many PRCs is the OBA now saying should qualify for status? His reply was as follows:

“Here is a breakdown, by country of origin, for PRCs that are eligible for status under the Bermuda Immigration and Protection Amendment Act 2002. UK: 578, Portugal: 545, Jamaica: 157, all others: 175. Total: 1,455. From the 2010 Census, those who would be eligible for PRCs after 15 years and status after 20 years, according to length of residency. 15-19 years: 241, 20-24 years: 164, 25-plus years: 106. Not stated: 172. Total: 683.”

Consider this for a minute. According to an OBA insider, the OBA has lost the black vote and the swing vote. So a day after taking a major defeat in the Constituency 13 by-election, home affairs minister Michael Fahy announced pathways for 2,138 non-Bermudians to eventually get to vote.

Desperation much?