Premier must heal PLP

September 29, 2003

Dear Sir,

I would like to comment on a remark attributed to MP Dean Foggo (The Royal Gazette, September 22, 2003): "It was unfortunate that people criticised her (the former Premier) based on whether they saw her or not." Mr. Foggo cannot be so naive to see the difference in the support of either the PLP, or the former Premier, between the 1998 election and that of 2003 was certainly not merely because she was not seen!

Despite Bermuda's "coming together" whenever we have a real crisis, this country is deeply divided racially, the black community is even more deeply divided politically between the UBP and the PLP. The former Premier added to these divisions by even more bitterly dividing the PLP supporters.

That surely was not "best for Bermuda", an already divided society. My personal experience saw blacks who had been vocal in their support of my stance before 1998, attacked me viciously after she became Premier.

She, herself, had made her disapproval and dislike for me a matter of public record from a platform at a Berkeley Institute function. At the time I was stunned because, although I knew that she both disapproved of, and disagreed with, my ongoing expressions of concern about the black community, I (not unlike Kenny Bascome) had believed, or had the illusion, that we had a cordial relation. I was initially appointed to the College Board but that did not last long.

I knew, from the response of hundreds of people on November 9, 1998 that I had made a significant contribution to the 1998 victory of the PLP. But I was to quickly learn that the former Premier enhanced and rewarded those who stroked her hair (or ego) and that had nothing to do with those who had, or had not, supported the PLP.

In fact some that she rewarded had not only not supported PLP but had never even voted for them, while some who had given their lives for the PLP were deliberately snubbed and demeaned. Their loyalty to the Party often prevented them from reacting to her subtle insults. But many did.

Moreover, many black PLP supporters were all too aware that while the long term residents had been taken care of, there were more guest workers brought in than ever before, many of them filling roles that could have been filled by born Bermudians, so much so that there are those who see the Immigration Board as being either useless, inefficient or indifferent.

I was not in Bermuda during the post election discussions, but I had a tremendous sense of relief when I returned to find that the former Premier had been replaced by the current Premier and to hear him state that he had a totally different approach to the media and to the UBP. However, he must also recognise and acknowledge the deep wounds of division among the PLP supporters that were inflicted by the former Premier.

He should show an equal intention to heal those wounds. The appointment of Dr. Ewart Brown as Deputy Leader is not sufficient if all other appointments or recognition go only to the supporters of the former Premier. Nothing would demonstrate his intention to heal these wounds more than giving a significant role or appointment to some of the PLP critics of the former Premier.

Some have suggested that Rolfe Commissiong would be an appropriate symbol. Certainly he has been a long time supporter of the PLP and no one can question his intelligence. To those who criticise the eleven for not being honest, no one can question his honesty in that regard since he wrote several critical analyses of the former Premier's Leadership qualities, or lack of them, when others were too afraid to do so.

As it turned out, he was proven to be correct when many others eventually agreed with him, which suggests that he had more insight and courage than did many others. I cannot challenge the former Premier's commitment to hard work as she has always been a hard worker, just as she has always had the ability to be eloquent.

But I do challenge the concept that "she did the best for Bermuda" when she sowed such bitter divisiveness among so many supporters of the PLP, while she rewarded and recognised on the basis of her personal likes and dislikes, even if they had never supported the PLP, or irrespective of their support, or lack of it for the PLP.

EVA N. HODGSON

Crawl

P.s. I have been trying to recall when, in my many years, a BIU strike had not been harshly condemned by everyone except those who were being injured!

Butler's Cuba bust

October 3, 2003

Dear sir,

I find it hard to believe that a former Head Teacher, Minister Dale Butler, does not know the meaning of Collective Responsibility. I find this shocking to say the least. From what I can gather from reports in the media, Minister Dale Butler took it on himself to exchange and discuss a political matter with foreign politicians and then sign a "cultural exchange" agreement with them.

Ministers take an oath to keep confidential all Cabinet matters. Such a matter as a cultural exchange in this case should go to Bermudians for their opinions. Then Cabinet discusses the matter before a decision is made.

Bermuda belongs to Bermudians. The Cabinet works for Bermudians. Cabinet members are the oversees, so to speak. They are paid by the people to do this work.

Political matters, especially with foreign countries, whether they be Cuba or Sweden or America, must go to the Governor, if approved by the Cabinet, before any action is taken. It does not matter whether Minister Dale Butler went to President Bush; he did not have authority to sign any kind of political document.

He does not understand the meaning of collective responsibility; and this is very unfortunate for him and for his colleagues.

As a former Minister in Bermuda's Cabinet for ten and a half years, and an Acting Premier on three occasions, I respectfully suggest to Premier Scott that Minister Butler be suspended for his irresponsible action. I further recommend that The Premier establish a course to teach the Ministers their responsibilities and the limits of their power under the Westminister system of government.

I take this opportunity to give praise to Mrs. Louise Jackson, a neophyte on the political stage, for taking a stand concerning the actions of Minister Butler. This American-born Bermudian obviously shows dedication and concern for Bermuda's welfare and its future.

GLORIA J.MCPHEE, OBE

Flatts