Politically, Bermuda is set to face a long dark winter as the status quo sets in. The visit of the Bahamian premier gave us a reminder of the history of connection between the two PLPs. He, also for those who are aware of the connection between Dame Lois Browne-Evans and Lynden Pindling, should know that it was at his advice that the Progressive Labour Party splinter of 1965 permanently separated labour from the middle-class merchant. Dame Lois called Pindling to ask what to do with the five rebel MPs and he told her get rid of them. (Source: Dame Lois Browne-Evans autobiography)

From a political and progressive perspective, it marked the end of the forefathers’ efforts to strengthen the branch participation and decentralisation of the party. I knew the early leaders and had occasion to understand their vision. They wanted strong and effective branches that were a part of the overall participation.

That was their first initiative and the reason why the leader then, Arnold Francis, labelled himself as the “provisional” leader. In his own words, he said that he did not consider himself the leader until the branches were full and he had gained their vote. At that time, it was very possible to have strong healthy branches because the movement was alive and all classes of persons were united in that they all had a common cause — whether labour or merchant or professional, they were all essentially in the same boat.

When that unity was destroyed and assisted by the advice of Pindling, what remained took the form of a pressure group joined at the hip by the union. For almost 40 years the only developments happened on the labour end. There was little or no support for the merchant Blacks, who almost completely disappeared; nor was there any progressive political progress that incorporated more people and participation.

Now the inheritors after years of political attrition saw a whole generation of what was formerly United Bermuda Party support literally die. It happened that the natural majority population that would ordinarily support the PLP gave licence to a generation of leaders who did not actually have to work to gain power because their opponents’ support base died.

There was no need to perfect ideas or prove worthiness; power was a gift of time. Now, with just a handful of party members and far fewer actual participating members, they can believe arrogantly that they have achieved a mandate to do whatever they want with the expressed aim of benefiting the few.

We talk of Adolf Hitler as the devil of the 20th century, as a dictator, and perhaps he was given the effect he had on the world. But he did that in the name of Germany, to make Germany great, not the Nazi Party.

Many years ago, I wrote a book called It’s Between What They Say. In that book, I mentioned that a country’s size is not to be judged only by its physical size, but rather by the size of its ideals. I mentioned how the idea of America was too big to be contained within borders and that, in fact, the idea was not a national idea but a global one. That if we view the Earth from Mars or from the Moon, we don’t see any borders we will see land, water, clouds, and whatever else we see is part of the earthly process.

The point trying to be made in the book is that it was time for small countries to take their part as equals in the world. That a small island could indeed be that shining light on the hill. An example of a greater democracy can be our legacy and worth to the world.

Being a Black government does not equate to success. Having political power does not, either. Certainly being empowered should be better than being enslaved, but that empowerment should be used as a beacon of light. I am reminded of the statement of a famous senator, Dudley Joseph Thompson OJ, QC, a Pan-Africanist and international diplomat from Jamaica, who in a lecture to a conference at the Stonington Beach campus said (paraphrased): “It appears that our leaders have become content to sit in the same seat where White folks used to sit.”

Julian Hall, at a PLP banquet at the Fairmont Southampton, alluded to something similar when he said: “I get very worried when I see the movement which I am associated with lose sight of its ideological compass. I get concerned when I see little cabals of power of people who are for some reason unwilling to take criticism.” He began his speech by saying he did not want to be a part of a “Black movement” and that he favoured an ideological movement of principles.

There are very few examples in this world upon which we can draw our template; therefore, we need to lead instead. We should, if we had the bravery, create an example for others to follow. People gravitate towards success and light. That is why so many people around the world want to go to America — because its ideals represent hope and freedom. Believe it or not, that is also why so many of our people are leaving Bermuda to go to Britain or, frankly, anywhere; it is the same hope and freedom they are seeking.

People go where they feel socially, economically and politically included. Why remain where there is exclusion caused by the deal having been already done.

When good people leave the country, there is a heart and soul drain, not just a brain drain. In the year 2016 in America, politics took a toxic turn and has not returned to civility yet. There is an absolute correlation between violent crime and leadership. In 2008, Bermuda witnessed a surge in violent crime and at present we are seeing the same.

Society needs inspiration and hope; if not, people descend to the darkest recesses of their beings. We must promote hope and give the message that we can be whatever we choose, and hope we chose to be the best.