December 2, 2007

Had the Progressive Labour Party Government been taking care of the 'people's business' rather than themselves, certain family members and 'cronies', then former Premier Alex Scott may not have had reason to make an impassioned plea to the voters not to stay home on Election Day¿voters must be expressing their disgust to PLP candidates on the doorstep.

In 1998, when the Progressive Labour Party (PLP) had a historic landslide victory, former Party leader Jennifer Smith expressed her gratitude to the members of the local business community and the International Business community for the support they gave to the PLP's election campaign. In addition to the International Business companies contributing to their campaign, all three banks made contributions as well. One of the International companies which also employs one of the Government Ministers, shared with the public how their profits tripled in the second quarter of 2003, and at least one of the bank's profits also soared during the same period. So, it's quite evident that the International Business sector and at least one of the banks are thriving under this Government, while Bermudians continue to feel the pinch.

In a Mid Ocean News article a few months ago, Mr. Harold Darrell made reference to Government officials conspiring with the Bank of Bermuda to get his Human Rights complaint derailed. He also said, "The PLP is blaming the United Bermuda Party for all hardships that blacks have suffered¿", but he goes on to say that the PLP Government is in bed with the people who perpetuated the wrongs against their grandfathers and grandmothers.

The PLP's goal in 1998 was to attract "good quality black candidates" with practical experience in financial administration. With the inclusion of Zane DeSilva and Jane Correia as candidates for this election, why has the PLP deviated from their winning strategy of 1998? In addition to relying on votes of young first and second time voters when they won in 1998, they also relied upon black Bermudians and their powerful network of family and friends, and by word of mouth including radio talk shows, to encourage voters to vote for the PLP, which they appear to be doing for this election also. Obviously, they don't want to repeat what happened in 1993 when they failed to get supporters to the polls. (That explains Mr. Alex Scott's impassioned plea).

Advice given to the new Ministers by retired veteran PLP supporter, Mr. Walter Roberts was to meet with the Civil Servants to discuss the particular policies for each ministry. Did the seven remaining Ministers who received his advice in 1998, who are also candidates in the 2007 Election Campaign, heed his advice? We've already seen many policies disregarded by the PLP Government since that time. Does this mean that they don't understand the policies or is it because they don't care to abide by the rules? Perhaps, this attitude may have contributed to the accusations of alleged 'unethical conduct' of some of the Cabinet Ministers.

Government Ministers have experienced protests from almost every sector in Bermuda; which include the taxi drivers, teachers, nurses, H.M. Customs, Bermuda Immigration, Police, fire fighters, Prisons, bus drivers and even students protested in one way or another. However, when certain Cabinet Ministers mentioned implementing new policies to supposedly make things fairer for Bermudians, the Bermuda International Business Association complained, as they felt any changes (i.e. restrictions on car ownership for expatriate employees, term limits, 'Goodwill Plus' and 'Workforce Equity') would impact on International Business negatively. As a result of their complaints, to date, most of these policies have not been implemented, so who has the power here?

The Mid Ocean News Editor, Mr. Tim Hodgson was correct in saying, "The off-shore sector is, in the main, made up of companies and individuals that fit the public's perception of what "Good Corporate Citizens" should be. Government, of course, has an entirely different definition of this term, one based on how much these firms ante up when the collection plate is passed for the party war chests, inaugural galas and other influence-buying gambits. Like election campaigns." Can this be denied by the PLP, especially after their former leader publicly expressed her gratitude to the International Business community for supporting their election campaign?

We are hearing anecdotes from some of the PLP candidates about their experiences with constituents while out canvassing. Is this part of the PLP's 2007 Campaign? Infuriate enough black voters with the hope of attracting sympathy votes. This could possibly be a distraction to shift the focus from the alleged 'unethical conduct' of some of the PLP candidates (including the Leader). Is the name calling and accusations Premier Brown is directing at the UBP also a distraction, or is it a display of 'spoiled brat' syndrome? (Nada, nada, nada). Do we need to give "Super Nanny" a call"? Perhaps she can be brought in as a consultant to sort out the Premier's 'McNasty' behaviour. It's quite obvious that the Party Leader of the PLP is not imposing the strong party discipline on members this time around, as was done during the 1998 Election Campaign; otherwise, he would be leading by example.

What I find amusing is a comment by Mr. Calvin Smith about Dr. Ewart Brown in a Royal Gazette article on July 28, 2003. He said, "He's intelligent and doesn't hold grudges. The minute it's over, it's over." I guess Dr. Brown deceived him also.

We must not forget the comments of PLP candidate Ms. Laverne Furbert who described her cousin, Premier Ewart Brown as being rebellious to some extent during his primary and high school years. According to a Bermuda Sun article, he was kicked out of Bermuda Technical Institute for being out of control. In that article Dr. Brown described himself as being "just a hyperkenetic young man". This behaviour may have contributed to his parents sending him to Jamaica to live with his aunt. Faculty members at Howard University even considered expelling him from medical school for the role he played in a month-long boycott of the medical school, two months after he was elected president of his class. Premier Brown's bad behaviour was more recently displayed in the House of Assembly. Considering this, should the public be surprised by his recent comments about the United Bermuda Party?

Dame Lois Browne-Evans was surprised at the level of deceit the 11 rebel Members of Parliament displayed after ousting former Premier Jennifer Smith in July 2003. At that time, after becoming Deputy Leader, when asked why the public should trust the PLP, Dr. Brown stated, "We didn't mislead the public. We didn't have full disclosure. We didn't tell everything." Are they giving full disclosure during this year's election campaign? When he commented on whether the Party has a sliding scale on trust, mistrust and revelation he stated, "Time will tell because in politics there are times when we all feel as though we have been mishandled or treated unfairly and that's just the nature of politics." Did he forget he made these comments when he prepared his banquet speech or when he read it? Although in Premier Brown's banquet speech he also stated, "When we committed to changing Bermuda in 1998, we spoke in terms of making this island a better place for all Bermudians", he obviously didn't mean that either.

Whatever happened to the slogan "Feel the Love" if Premier Brown is displaying so much hate towards the Opposition Leader and the UBP ("Filthy McNasty Party)?

What did his former Cabinet colleague Renee Webb say about Premier Ewart Brown recently? "The same way he betrayed both former Premiers by not being up front from the beginning that he was going to challenge them, points to the man he is¿", and "He is known to use people to get what he wants and then step on them."

Who will he step on to accomplish what he mentioned in his Vision Statement? In Premier Brown's Vision Statement (Oct. 20, 2006, Bermuda Sun) "Taking Bermuda to the next level", he made the comment, "I am firmly committed to Bermuda becoming an independent nation." Perhaps that's why PLP candidate Wayne Caines recently stated, "This election is very important to Bermuda," and "it's a critical time in our history."

Will the PLP rely on the student votes, some of whom PLP candidate Ms. Laverne Furbert described as followers rather than leaders? Or will they rely on us Bermudians who they've neglected in the past nine years, including the 15,000 plus individuals who signed the petition for a 'referendum on Independence'; the same people who former Premier Alex Scott said didn't know what they were signing (i.e. stupid in other words).

In desperation, Mr. Scott is pleading with PLP supporters to "help your party, get out and vote. Afterwards the Party will conduct a post mortem and will listen to the people and will make the changes necessary." He also said, "Don't abandon the Party - to turn away because you don't like what's happening today is foolhardy because you don't know what's around the corner." He obviously also forgot the words that he spoke in a Royal Gazette article dated July 28, 2003 when he stated, "A champion team is not one that always wins, a champion team is one that can lose and come back to its championship form", and "A champion team is not one that keeps on winning but one that can suffer defeat and rise from the ashes again."

The fact that we don't know what's around the corner is what's making so many sensible Bermudians apprehensive. It all boils down to 'TRUST'¿Who do the voters trust; which Party? Which Party can we trust to deliver what they've promised? Which Party will honestly represent the interests of ALL Bermudians? Which Party will ensure that Cabinet Ministers lead by example? Which Party will take the necessary steps to assist in preventing corruption? Which Party should the people of Bermuda trust to implement a fairer Human Rights process? Which Party will NOT disregard the very policies they implement?

I guess the answer is ¿

tune in December 18, 2007.

J. CAINES

Devonshire