In the 1970s as a 20-something, Wilfred “Mose” Allen became a mentor of mine. Mose, also known as “Scrapo”, had been a champion of social justice. While he had limited formal schooling, he was well-read, a paragon of “lifelong learning”.

Notwithstanding having a thorny personality, Mose used his inquisitive mind to help shape the modern Bermuda we all enjoy.

I’m reminded of Mose as we reflect on the crisis that Bermuda is currently experiencing. His demonstration of integrity, independence and courage reminds us of the “GPS” available to us all, as we navigate these difficult waters.

Mose became a confidant of E.F. Gordon during the 1940s movement which launched the Bermuda Workers Association and subsequently the Bermuda Industrial Union.

Through an island-wide campaign a petition was circulated addressing a number of social issues — segregation, the right to vote, among others — resulting in hundred of names being presented in London by Dr Gordon. The only immediate fruit of that labour was the legislation for free primary education in 1949.

However, the campaign had been an exercise in democracy at a time when only landlords could vote, sowing the seeds for the social development that we take for granted today.

After Gordon’s death in 1955, Mose pushed forward, seeking to fashion a vision for a better Bermuda, with friends such as David Critchley and Edward DeJean. He helped DeJean with the heroic Howard Academy project, opening access for secondary education.

Mose was a close friend of Leonard Bascome who became BIU president, following Gordon’s death.

The success of the 1959 Theatre Boycott spawned The Committee for Universal Adult Suffrage which campaigned for the right to vote. Their success was initially shackled with a “plus-vote” for landowners. When an election was scheduled for 1963, Mose, Eddie DeJean and others founded the Progressive Labour Party, Bermuda’s first political party.

Mose convinced Lois Browne-Evans to become involved, which was the farthest thing from her mind at the time. The rest is history.

After campaigning against the idea of political parties on the island, Henry “Jack” Tucker controversially formed the United Bermuda Party when the “independent” parliamentarians took their seats in the House, after the balloting in the 1963 election.

The removal of the plus-vote for landlords came during the island’s first Constitutional Conference held in London in 1966. Among the representatives were Mose and Dame Lois from the PLP, as well as Sir Henry of the UBP, creating the maiden formal document that framed the transformation of Bermuda.

In the ups and downs of politics and with the reality of his thorny personality, Mose moved away from the formal political scene around the time we met. However, in the early 1970s, Mose continued to demonstrate his passion for the welfare of the whole island.

Ignoring barriers, Mose would reach out directly to any person involved, to discuss a matter of concern.

If a substantial issue came up, he would reach out directly to Sir Henry. Mose would ride his pedal bike, with his false leg, down to the Paget home of the former Government leader and engage Sir Henry directly over a cup of tea.

These two, opponents during the critical stages of social progress in Bermuda during the eventful 1960s, would probably have been described as enemies by most. However, a level of character on both their parts meant that they could engage in productive discussions — to the benefit of the island as a whole.

Mose was never a saint and like all of us, made his share of mistakes. However, when it came to the big picture, his heart and his mind were open.

You may find the example of Mose, in this regard, comparable to others, at home and abroad. Those leaders who have helped remove barriers while maintaining a generous spirit. This type of leadership recognises that regardless of which side of the fence we find ourselves, we are all linked — all in the same boat.

This type of leadership knows that any differences on any matter can be resolved through dialogue, to the benefit of the whole.