Bermuda’s Westminster system of government is no longer fit for purpose and it probably never has been. This is especially so given the diminishing voting population, the downward spiral of our economy, a blame game that never seems to end and two parties that appear to lack a cohesive set of political ideologies.

Some of our politicians from both sides spend more time in the House of Assembly griping about past injustices, failed policy initiatives and making speeches to each other on the motion to adjourn that are either sycophantic ramblings or rants that lead precisely nowhere. If you can be bothered to read the Hansard transcripts, you would probably cry at what goes on in the House of Assembly.

There is tremendous inertia within our system, and a significant reason for this is that there are too many boards, committees and councils, all of which need to be legislatively filled over and above the parish councils, municipalities and Parliament. Frankly, there are just not enough of us to be able to fill the hundreds upon hundreds of slots statutorily required to conduct government business, none of which seems to operate towards a common goal. I would in fact go so far as to say we are probably per capita one of the most overgoverned places in the world. We are overburdened by bureaucracy and underserved by the political class.

At present, we have two political parties represented in the House of Assembly, both of which are not fit for purpose since neither espouses policies that match their alleged ideologies. That is a huge problem!

So why is any of this important? A political ideology is a set of ideas and beliefs about how society should be organised and governed. It provides a framework for understanding political issues and making policy decisions. Political parties that have a clear and consistent ideology are better able to articulate their vision for the future and to offer voters a meaningful choice in elections.

Some argue that parties play a critical role in shaping the political landscape of any country. They are supposed to act as vehicles for political participation and representation, and they should help to organise and mobilise citizens around shared political beliefs and values. Political ideology is essential for a healthy democracy.

One of the primary benefits of political parties having a political ideology is that it is supposed to create a more informed and engaged electorate. You may think that the One Bermuda Alliance is the party of conservatism (or to some the party of the White elite) and the Progressive Labour Party is the party of labour (or to some the party of the Black working class). None of this is accurate in terms of policies. For example, a typical labour party takes a very liberal view of immigration. In Canada, Britain and the United States the Liberals, Labour and Democrats respectively promote liberal immigration policies, while the Conservatives and Republicans typically do not. In this instance, the OBA behaves as a labour party and the PLP behaves like a conservative party.

We see the same in any number of areas. The PLP liberalised the 60:40 business ownership rule, does not hide its relationship with the Fairmont Southampton hotel developer, has floated privatisation of some government services, is against same-sex marriage, increased minicar rental numbers, and has created a two-tiered education system where more and more Bermudians are privately educated. None of these policies can be classified as typically labour ideology.

On the other side, we see the OBA promoting same-sex marriage, liberalisation of immigration, environmental protection policies and policies to protect the vulnerable. None of these could be classed as typical conservative party values. I would argue that neither political party has a coherent political ideology that matches what you would assume! Which is why perhaps it is easier for many to label one party a “Black” party and one a “White” party. This is desperately sad and is not progressive in any way.

When a political party has a clear set of principles and values, it can use those principles to evaluate the actions of elected officials. This is designed to help ensure that elected officials are acting in the best interests of the party and its constituents, rather than simply pursuing their own self-interest. Political parties can use their ideology as a tool to hold elected officials accountable and to push for policies that align with their values. Another benefit is that it helps to create a more stable and predictable political environment. When there is a clear and consistent ideology, voters and other political actors know what to expect from them. This makes it easier to form coalitions, negotiate policy agreements, and make long-term plans.

In contrast, political parties that lack a clear ideology are often seen as opportunistic and unpredictable, which can make it difficult to form stable political alliances or to plan for the future. For us, this lack of clear ideology of the two parties is the issue. Both parties are opportunistic and unpredictable, which leads to voter apathy and anger at the same time. This has led to a lack of trust and credibility among voters, as well as a sense of disillusionment and disengagement from the political process. It is why there is a continued call for a third party to break the mould.

Is it time? I think maybe it is. For as long as we have two parties that follow ideologies in name only, we will have apathy and disenchantment. It very well may be time for a new group of people to come together from both sides of the aisle — risk-takers who would put Bermuda before self. I believe fully that there are many who wish to serve, but neither party is representative of their desires. Why is it that a White working-class person still votes OBA and a Black entrepreneur votes PLP? We all know the answer. We are entrenched in race-based politics and lack of clear political ideology for a modern world, yet we continue to accept it.

Until we move away from the Westminster system that fails us, we need a true centrist party in Bermuda that is based on centrist ideology. We need to move away from the perceptions that exist and ultimately do what is right for all of Bermuda, not just those who happen to attend a PLP or OBA caucus meeting.

I have spent a considerable amount of time talking to numerous members from both political parties over the past couple of years about MPs from both sides coming together. Sadly, the underlying challenge is fear of the unknown. We need to put our fears aside because right now Bermuda is not working. Create a new organisation with centrist ideology that is not burdened by race-based decision-making. Be up front about some of the painful choices that need to be made to help all Bermudians prosper. Explain how decisions would be always linked to the centrist ideology espoused.

Come on. I know you are out there. It is time. Bermuda is ready for you. We may just be able to fill all those government boards after all!

• Michael Fahy was the Government Senate Leader and Cabinet minister in the One Bermuda Alliance government from 2012 to 2017. Thoughts or comments to opedfahy@gmail.com