Over the past couple of weeks, the Editor used the phrase “Where there’s smoke, there’s fire”. For the same episode of which he speaks, I will want to use the phrase “Mirror events”.

Yes, somewhere in or around 2003 — immediately after the Progressive Labour Party’s second election victory under Dame Jennifer Smith — there was a rumble at Devonshire Recreation Club. Rumble was putting it mildly ... had this meeting been held at Alaska Hall, with the shouting and intensity, people would have been falling out of windows.

This was a critical moment for the PLP and politics in Bermuda. This was not a spontaneous event that spun out of control; rather, it was a failed plan to oust Dame Jennifer as premier after her style of governing became unpopular, particularly among the church that had been the bedrock support of the party.

The move was made by several persons working in the background, knowing there was public empathy. Some in this backroom group were also keen to see a more progressive economic stance and agenda for the PLP.

Dame Jennifer took the podium first, seeking the continued endorsement of the delegates to proceed as leader. Ewart Brown, who was seen as a potential successor, led the charge against Dame Jennifer, followed by MPs from the west who were also calling for her to step aside. But there was vociferous support for Dame Jennifer staying — this came from the chair of the St George’s branch and others. And then there was LaVerne Furbert arguing for party unity above all.

Dame Jennifer addressed the floor. Hundreds of people filled the room; they were also in walkways and entrances. Reminiscent of “dropping the Benny” in a card game, or calling “check” in chess, she said to her detractors: “If you carry through on what you are planning, I will take GP1 and drive to Government House and drop the writ.”

What was once a turbulent meeting descended further into pandemonium. This was not just “check”, it was checkmate!

The finance minister and deputy leader, sensing the urgency of the moment, rose to his feet and said: “I hereby resign and offer the deputy leadership to Dr Brown.”

These were now all Zen moments. Dame Jennifer had the final say by supporting Eugene Cox and not allowing Dr Brown that opportunity, instead accepting MP Alex Scott to continue what would have been her second term.

In many ways, this has similarities to what is happening now, except that there are fewer numbers shouting in the room. However, reputationally, David Burt is far less popular than Dame Jennifer ever was and stands no greater morally. More importantly, at a time when the young men of Bermuda need a role model, why is he not that role model? Why pastor Leroy Bean and not our young Black premier? Is this because everyone knows he isn’t and is pretending to the extent that a young child has to point and say the “emperor has no clothes”?

Sadly, he can't say, “Follow me. I was once an ordinary guy a few short years ago, but look at me now, I am among the wealthy. The country is poorer but I am richer.”

Isn’t that a success story? You are allowed one guess at who his role model is?

The point here is the party will always be pulled apart by personal agendas because it is a private party run by private members. Until the public make it accountable to the people, we will have more of the same.

To be continued ...