A few years ago, I wrote two opinion pieces about a perception that there was a covert push for independence from Britain. Since then, we have gone through Covid-19, a General Election and now we are on the road to becoming a full member of Caricom, which I wrote about twice.

Ironically, the independence “debate” is on life support, presumably since Bermudians have recognised the benefits of being affiliated with Britain. We can apply for British citizenship, move there for school, healthcare, the dole, job opportunities, retirement and even witness protection. The dirty little secret is that many international businesses remain in Bermuda since our British affiliation gives extra legitimacy to their existence here — misplaced or not.

On the downside for Bermuda, our status as an Overseas Territory has led to thousands of Bermudians permanently emigrating to Britain for economic reasons. Stupidly, we remain steadfast in our view that we must continue to find ways to restrict long-term residents from fully integrating into our society in a misplaced protectionist view.

Given the present government’s penchant for raising independence every so often —probably since the Progressive Labour Party constitution says it shall “serve as a vehicle in moving Bermuda to independence by political education, information and public meetings so that the people of Bermuda can be fully informed of what independence for Bermuda means and the party will work towards achieving the necessary electoral reforms, which are preconditions for Bermuda achieving nationhood” — I must question if the steady march to full Caricom membership is simply a precursor to independence.

Does it not seem odd that the same people who advocate for independence from Britain are the same people trying increase our dependence on Caricom?

This reminds me of the dichotomy of the Scottish seeking to break up the United Kingdom while attempting to join the European Union, arguably making Scotland more dependent than independent, given the impact Brussels would have on Scottish affairs. In other words, what is the point?

So here is the conundrum. The Government has made its view clear over the years that it wants Bermuda to be independent from Britain. The theme put forth includes unhinging us from the confines of colonialism, negotiating our own trade deals and air routes without Government House interference and passing all our laws without seeking assent from the British Foreign Office, among others. The underlying point is that little Bermuda would be able to go it alone in the world. It therefore makes closer ties with Caricom strange indeed. On the one hand, we want to go it alone from Britain, but on the other we want to be more deeply entwined with an organisation of developing nations.

Why?

Quitting our relationship with Britain would endanger all the benefits listed above —there are far more. Those benefits would need to be replaced with something else to make an independence argument more viable. Is that why joining Caricom is so urgent? Is there something else at play here? The reason the question must be asked is because it all seems so sudden. The first the public heard of the Caricom intent was in November 2023!

As yet, we have not had the benefit of sight of a full and proper analysis of the pros and cons of joining Caricom as a full member. We already have been told we will not pursue free movement of peoples — in my mind at least exploring a version of this would assist our immigration issues. The Premier advised on February 23 that the benefits of Caricom are:

• Possible economic benefits

• Potentially creating increased competition and partnerships

• Broader access to professional and technical training

• New markets for Bermudians seeking to sell their goods or services overseas

• New opportunities for foreign direct investment

All sounds good, but where is the beef?

Surely after 20 years as an associate member, the Government can point to estimated figures supporting the above list on what those economic benefits are, how much direct inward investment would result from full membership, the markets Bermudians will sell to and what market access Bermudians will actually receive from wider membership. After all, after attending probably dozens and dozens of Caricom meetings and events, our representatives would have learnt enough so a simple list could have been created? Instead, we have a Letter of Entrustment to begin negotiations for joining without the information to enable us to opine on whether it is worth it!

As I have said before, and to make it abundantly clear to the flat-earthers, I am not pro or anti-independence — or pro or anti-Caricom. What I am advocating here is for the electorate to be informed with full and proper unbiased information, rather than simple soundbites that are short on detail. If the Government is as confident in its position as it appears to be, then it should share the pros and cons of joining Caricom and then let the people decide. That would be consultation. Not consultation after negotiations have begun!

That goes for independence as well. On either matter, our status changes and it seems to me that a referendum would be useful. Use the Referendum Act 2012 rather than steamroller Bermuda into full membership in a Caribbean Community that comprises far less developed countries. If the Government can make the case, then I will publicly declare a position of “yes”. Until such time, I will remain sceptical of the intent on this matter.

Oh, and while we are at it, can we have a real understanding of this cosy relationship being built in the Middle East with an explanation of what the benefits are to Bermudians?

We all deserve to know.

• Michael Fahy was the Government Senate Leader and Cabinet minister in the One Bermuda Alliance government from 2012 to 2017. Share your ideas and views at opedfahy@gmail.com