The unmarked intersection between politics and international sport can be dangerous territory for politicians. It has seen some spectacular crashes in the past. There are few, if any, signposts. No blinking light to warn: “dangerous crossing ahead”.

Readers may recall the Olympic boycotts of 1980 and 1984, when the world’s greatest sporting event collided with Cold War politics. Consider a more current situation, with the Olympics unfolding in Japan amid a new spike in the Covid-19 pandemic. How will that impact turn out?

Closer to home, we have seen the Premier manoeuvring with SailGP.

Here is the man who vilified the One Bermuda Alliance when the 35th America’s Cup graced Bermudian shores in 2017. For the sake of political gain, David Burt, then the Leader of the Opposition, attacked AC35, even though the international sporting event showcased Bermuda’s beauty to the world, with PwC calculating an economic impact for Bermudians of $366 million.

Rumour has it SailGP approached Bermuda back in 2017, but the newly elected Progressive Labour Party government declined. Whether that rumour is true or not, today — with Bermuda’s economy sinking fast — the Premier had little choice but to navigate SailGP.

Political about-turns are tricky at the best of times. Yet the Premier’s grip on the wheel has been faltering lately. Perhaps he is sensitive that his hypocrisy is there for all to see?

In the end, SailGP proved a success for Bermuda, despite Covid difficulties. And if the Premier’s reputation was badly battered by the encounter, who is really to blame for that?

Anger management

How angry are you about Covid? Strong and stoic? Slightly vexed? Or are you full-on, red-mist angry?

Last week saw a keyboard duel between Vic Ball, of the OBA, and Owen Darrell, the PLP senator. Mr Darrell was angry because Mr Ball, himself a former senator, questioned why more Bermudians were not angry about Covid, suggesting we should be.

You with me so far?

Seasoned political observers know that what Mr Darrell was actually doing was trying to shield the Government. Why? Because, despite a strong start with Covid in 2020, the PLP has recently mishandled the pandemic. And that has made some folks angry with their government. Yet the Ball-Darrell debate raises a legitimate question: how angry are Bermudians?

My take on it is this: anger or no, people are increasingly frustrated. Frustrated by the continuing pandemic, certainly. Yet also frustrated by the bizarre inconsistencies in the Government’s regulatory response.

Inconsistent treatment of people undermines our faith in the Government’s response. Inconsistent treatment causes us to believe that people are being treated unfairly, which sows dissent in our society. Add to that businesses shuttered for months or permanently closed, lives and livelihoods lost, and increasing mental stress for all from wave after wave of lockdowns.

So, yes, Mr Darrell, some Bermudians are angry. And much of that anger will be directed at the Government. Why is that a surprise?

The pendulum swings

On a lighter note, let’s tack back to SailGP.

Congratulations to Sir Ben Ainslie, helmsman of the British boat, whose team narrowly defeated the Australians. This must have been a sweet victory indeed after the British team’s unsuccessful AC35 outing in 2017, and more recently this year in New Zealand.

Nice, also, to see the red hulls win over the green ones.

Scott Pearman, is the MP for Paget East (Constituency 22) and the OBA Shadow Minister for Legal Affairs and Transport. spearman@oba.bm

• Scott Pearman is the Shadow Minister for Legal Affairs and Transport, and the MP for Paget East (Constituency 22). He can be reached at spearman@oba.bm