Over the last few months, there has been a growing amount of Bermudians who are openly voicing their opinions on a wide range of topics, such as the economy, social issues, immigration issues and/or cultural differences.

Many who speak to us say that it is time for Bermudians to put aside political tribalism and look to new forms of governance other than the Westminster system that pits us against each other politically. We wholeheartedly agree with seeking better ways to move Bermuda forward.

One of the pitfalls of the Westminster system is that it is based on a winner-takes-all construct. The ruling party essentially has the power to write or rewrite laws or policies as they wish. The opposition party, on the other hand, has virtually no influence in Parliament. The net result is a never-ending cycle of limitless power being inherited by one side and absolutely zero power given to the other side.

In a society such as Bermuda, where we have always been separated by race and economic classifications, adding the Westminster system makes for a lethal cocktail of social division. This toxic mixture has seeped into almost every fibre of our society.

Increasingly the general sentiment of many in the public is that what was once their vote for hope and change has turned into nothing more than a sense of hopelessness and of feeling shortchanged. Many were indeed swayed by fancy flyers, persuasive promises and long lists of new ideas.

What they have found, however, is that, one by one, almost all of these promises were broken merely because the age-old need for political power superseded the age-old need for people power. These broken promises have left many Bermudians feeling violated and robbed of their trust in the political process on a whole.

To those who voted in expectation of promises unfulfilled, we fully understand why you made those decisions. Your vote should mean much more than simply empowering the few for their own purposes of self-gain.

On our behalf, what we can say is this — in what may seem our darkest hour, is now the time for us, as Bermudians, to seek unity over division based on previous political choices or age-old societal differences.

To the mother who is concerned about how to continue to pay her rent,

To the university graduate who is having a challenge finding work in Bermuda,

To the senior who is forced to decide between buying groceries or buying medication,

To the government worker who is concerned about further job losses or pay cuts,

To the business owner who is seeing a drop in the number of customers,

You can no longer afford the luxury of being lured in and given false hope with fanciful yet undeliverable promises.

The time has come for us as Bermudians, to sit down together and explore both our pragmatic realities and possible options as a nation. There is no one to rely on but us. There is no one to rescue us but us. At the start of each day, at the end of each day, we only have each other.

Fellow Bermudians, it is paramount that we continue to stand for and with each other. We thank you for continuing to share your ideas with us and your support of a better Bermuda for Bermudians.

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