Opposition Leader Kim Swan kicked off the debate with an impassioned speech in which he called on MPs from both sides to end Dr. Ewart Brown's "authoritarian, autocratic" leadership.

MPs were debating the motion put forward by the UBP that 'this Honourable House has no confidence in the Government led by the Premier' after a brief discussion with Speaker of the House Stanley Lowe over whether the Premier's name should be included in the debate.

Mr. Swan called the events of the last eight days since Dr. Brown's decision to allow four Guantanamo Bay detainees to resettle in Bermuda without telling his Cabinet, the Governor or UK authorities, an "international debacle".

"The motion before us continues to be a very important and serious motion before this House," he said. " I remember as a schoolboy, having somewhat of a voice, that could project quite well and carry a little bit of a tune and we used to sing a wonderful song, 'No Man is an Island'. In that regard let me say that indeed here today, part of the problem that we face here has been a result of a very few people acting on their own.

"It has plunged Bermuda into an international debacle that has damaged us internationally in many respects because we have not followed our constitution."

Mr. Swan was greeted by jeers from across the floor when he claimed his motion was never intended to oppose the PLP Government itself but the leadership of the Premier.

"Before I refer to the constitution let me make it perfectly clear that it was not the intention of the Opposition or this motion to do any harm to the Government. It was our intention to address the leadership of the Honourable Premier, the style of which has caused the country great harm."

Mr. Swan told the House that Dr. Brown's Uighur decision had harmed Bermuda's relationship with its key trading partners, the UK and the US.

"The situation that occurred when Bermuda awoke to the news about the Uighurs coming to Bermuda was news that not only blindsided us but on many levels showed callous disregard for the rule of law that this country has long respected and upheld," he said.

"It's important that we appreciate the status of our country as it relates to our relationship with Britain, and indeed I believe that all Bermudians also respect the relationship that we have with our number one trading partner, the United States. We get an opportunity to interact with both of those nations as it relates to tourism and certainly as it relates to international business."

Mr. Swan said that Bermuda's good record to date has been tarnished by the Guantanamo situation.

"In this motion we target particularly the Premier. We have seen instances leading up to this instance that caused persons within the Premier's own party not to feel comfortable with his leadership style."

Mr Swan went on to cite recent actions by the Premier including the so-called "loyalty oath" reportedly taken by Cabinet Ministers last month. PLP MP Glenn Blakeney stopped Mr. Swan to bring up a point of order, refuting the Opposition Leader's claim.

Mr. Swan asked why the Premier had not consulted his Cabinet, the Governor, or Britain before deciding to allow the Uighurs to settle in Bermuda.

"Put yourselves in the shoes of our Governor, who has to receive a call, [saying] 'they're on their way'," he said. "Oh my word. That is disrespect at a diplomatic level. Forget all about disrespecting me, disrespecting this House, the Cabinet, the Deputy Premier, the Governor, Britain. How about Mr. and Mrs. Bermuda?

"We are mere servants of the people. The people of this country are the ones that we have to appreciate, are the ones who really we are here to serve."

Mr. Swan noted oft-cited Opposition complaints with Dr. Brown's leadership, including the Faith Based Tourism initiative, the firing of some staff from the Bermuda Department of Tourism office in New York, ad agency GlobalHue's contract and recent sanctions placed on the media.

He told the House that Bermuda needed a Premier prepared to represent both black and white Bermudians.

"I swore an allegiance to serve all people of this country black people, white people, all people. It is high time we got a leader that would demonstrate that he is prepared to represent all people of this country. The time has come when we must break that silence. That silence can be a betrayal."

Terry Lister told the House that because the motion said there was no confidence in the Government, the focus should lie there.

He said in order for someone to lead the country, he or she has to be able to withstand criticism.

As far as Government's accomplishments, Mr. Lister spoke about tourism.

"So what about tourism? We are working really hard to get a hotel for St. George's. The Minister of Tourism has a strategy. If you look hard enough you will see it is actually there and it works."

The Minister spoke about the decline of tourists to the Island and said even though cruise ship visitors might spend less money, less money is better than no money.

"If I can't get them on a bed I'll get them on a boat he [Dr. Brown] said. I thank the Minister of Tourism", he said.

He also spoke about gang violence on the Island.

"As the Government of this country, we are concerned and we want to bring about some change. This is a Government who are committed to its people."

Former Premier Alex Scott delivered a passionate speech to the House of Assembly and said Premier Ewart Brown's decision rocked all of Bermuda, not blacks or whites.

Mr. Scott told the House he 'Googled' Bermuda terrorism and the search engine asked him if he meant to write Bermuda tourism.

He said he couldn't believe how many links popped up for Bermuda in relation to terrorism more than 800,000 something that just over a week ago wouldn't have happened. He said a search for Bermuda tourism generated three times as many links.

"We have been in tourism in Bermuda for how long? But terrorism now in one week or so is a third of the items that you can now associate if you are looking at Bermuda."

Mr. Scott said the security issue was a huge problem with this situation.

"If you have worn the hat or cloak of Premier you have to be concerned about the security about everybody in Bermuda and I think folks have somewhat misplaced the importance.

"The thought has been that the four represent a security risk to us. It is not from them that we should be concerned about our security it is from those that want to get at them that we may have to be concerned about security.

"Our Police Service does not have the depth that it would take to do security clearance on these gentlemen. Again not them, but those who want to get at them.

"But they are deemed to be in the eyes of the Chinese terrorists, we are made to understand. Flip the coin. Anybody that the US deemed to be terrorists, they're using the CIA to find them out. The UK are probably using MI5 to find out whatever they can."

Mr. Scott said he had spoken to Dr. Brown about the situation.

"I made the point that if I were in his position and if I am in possession of these four and I am asked didn't I think it is a foreign affairs matter, I too would have said I thought it was an immigration matter, a youth and sports matter and health matter and community and cultural affairs matter.

"I also said to the Premier he is more courageous than I or — and he filled in the blank.

"Foreign affairs are not to be picked up like you do the crossword puzzle in your daily paper. "

Mr. Scott spoke about the corruption that happened in Turks and Caicos and said: "Turks and Caicos accomplishments or failure, I would never want to see that happen here."

He also said he disagreed with the Premier's decision.

"We have done a humanitarian act for four men but I don't know what we have done for the 70,000 that reside here."

Mr. Scott said when he lost election in 2006, he should have walked away from politics and be watching this situation on TV or listening to it on the radio, but was convinced to stay because he cared about the country.

Mr. Scott appeared to suggest that the PLP's stated aim of Independence had been set back by this incidents because he felt Britain's stance would have hardened.

He added: "Our image has taken a hit. We have been set back. We have done a humanitarian favour to four people but I do not know what we have done for the 70,000 who reside here.

"It is very uncomfortable standing here and reviewing and obliquely criticising both my leader and my party and in this case our Government, but this is not a normal state of affairs."

He added: "We have 36 people here who care about this country. The Premier cares about this country. You can't raise your hand, take that oath and walk away uncaringly about the responsibility you now have."

To Dr. Brown, Mr Scott said: "Where are we going from here? Take us along with you. Tell is what is expected of us and what we can expect of you. We can't take another hit like this. We really can't because I don't think we have felt the feel of it yet."

He said the motion had to be brought to the House and stressed the issue wasn't about party.

"This is not about PLP, this is about the Country. We have stumbled. We have really stumbled.

"We could turn to Cabinet and say you stumbled but they weren't in on this one. We should turn to the Governor and say you permitted this but he didn't know about it. I believe this has gone to the hearts of many Bermudians."

Mr. Scott said he hoped the Premier has learnt his lesson.

Shadow Finance Minister E.T. (Bob) Richards told the House of Assembly of the potential damage done to Bermuda's international business reputation by the Premier's detainee decision.

"They don't like the wild card," he said of the international business sector. "They don't like surprises. The events of the past seven to ten days have caused an enormous amount of concern with international business insofar as it relates to the political risk associated with Bermuda."

Mr. Richards said the Premier's decision to resettle the four Uighurs here without consultation could mean Bermuda has to "choose between China and the United States".

He noted China's rising economic power, adding that the recent recession had barely slowed down the country's growth. He described "a big connection" between Bermuda and China, with 50 percent of the companies on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange being based in Bermuda.

In response to a comment from PLP MP Walter Roban that "Bermuda has no relationship with China at all" Mr. Richards reminded the House that HSBC (owner of the Bank of Bermuda) stands for the Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation, noting that 75 percent of the bank's pretax profits come from Hong Kong or mainland China.

"You still think we don't have a relationship with China?" he asked. "What if China blacklists Bermuda because of these actions? That alone makes his action detrimental to Bermuda, and the Premier of this country is supposed to be acting in the best interest of Bermudians."

He went on to describe the US's "fear and loathing" of perceived terrorists and detainees post-9/11, saying he believes the Premier's actions will deter American tourists from choosing Bermuda for their vacation.

To a few cheers from the gallery, he said: "This issue has the fingerprints of Independence all over it".

"This is a foretaste of things to come if we don't get back to a scrupulous following of the rule of law in this country," he added.

PLP backbencher Wayne Perinchief started his speech by asking whether it was the Cabinet, Premier, Commissioner of Police, Governor, or Attorney General who acts as Bermuda's "gatekeeper".

"Who guards our constitution?" he asked. "I put these questions for a very salient reason, because all of those institutions were abrogated or breached in the latest action by our Premier, and I do specify Premier. I do not wish to malign the Honourable Dr. Ewart Brown in his person."

Mr. Perinchief told the House that the Premier had "egregiously offended" those in office, and questioned what the appropriate response would be from Bermuda's elected officials and appointed members.

"All some of us ask is that the Premier be subject to some consequences of his actions," he said.

He called the actions of the Premier "high handed", adding: "It does actually put us all in a position of saying, 'of what value does the administration hold elected officials?' Are we just a talk shop? Do we have any teeth or are we a toothless dog?"

To applause from the public gallery and murmurs of agreement from some Opposition MPs, he noted the role of Government: "We now make the laws certainly we must uphold the laws."

He spoke of "the dictum of collective responsibility", and called the Government "liable vicariously through the actions of our Premier".

"After all, he was the one who we as Government put into that position," he said. "By that same Constitution we the members of this House have a responsibility to then say to the Governor, 'this person no longer is afforded the support of this honourable House'."

He called on the Government rather than the Opposition to carry out "corrective, rehabilitative action".

"Though we may fuss and fight and sometimes disagree, we are charged with that responsibility," he said.

He told the Government not to blame the Opposition for this recent controversy, saying: "We cannot blame anyone but ourselves in this instance. We must look in the mirror, see where the flaws are and correct them. As a team we have to pull back and exert some control and some direction over our team captain."

Opposition MP Shawn Crockwell spoke to the House about the power of Bermuda's constitution. Calling the Premier's actions over the detainees a "blatant disregard" for the constitution's authority, he said: "The constitution also restricts our powers. It provides a limit to what we are and what we can do."

He called the Premier "very unpopular", noting that his performance in approval polls have been the lowest of leaders since polls began.

He alluded to Deputy Premier Paula Cox's relative popularity, saying: "We all know who is the natural successor a certain Honourable Finance Minister."

Mr. Crockwell took issue with recent talk of a high turnout among whites to protest marches held this week, calling it "spin".

"The leader of that protest is a professed PLP member, yet we spin and we spin and we spin," he said. "This country has become dizzy by the spin."

He called the Premier's recent actions "unilateral", and closed with a question to PLP Cabinet ministers: "My question this afternoon to this Cabinet is, are you ratifying that behaviour today?"

PLP MP Michael Scott started his address to the House by letting his position on the motion of no confidence be known.

"This won't happen," he said. "Today is a debate in confidence in the Government and it will not result in the Government voting against itself."

Mr. Scott called the relationship between the UK and its overseas territories "afflicted with tension", and made a brief mention of recent controversy in the Turks and Caicos.

"The relationship is unhealthy; it is breaking down," he said of Bermuda's colonial ties to the UK. "The Foreign and Commonwealth Office better get accustomed to seeing more of this."

While conceding the controversy "should've been avoided", Mr. Scott defended the Premier's actions as "not typical of his tenure since 2007".

"By and large this appears to be a one-off action by this particular Premier on this particular front."

He also questioned Mr. Richards' portrayal of China's importance to Bermuda, calling any relationship "speculative at this stage".

"Let us not get a bloated view of ourselves," he said. "We are a dot."

He also found Mr. Richards' discussion of tourists' "fear and loathing" to be a stretch of an argument.

"I find it in no way compelling," he said, adding that while he'd seen three tourists' opinions in the newspaper, "three tourists do not a summer make, or a summer season make."

Wayne Furbert was clear from the start that, as an Independent MP, he was answerable mainly to his constituents in Hamilton Parish, and had sought their views before making a decision on how to vote.

He also expressed the importance of "internal controls", saying that as a one-time auditor he has an understanding of the need for checks and balances.

"If we don't have checks and balances in our systems, in the world, things go out of whack," he said.

He also told the House he'd spoken to the Premier, and asked him why he made his controversial decision.

"He felt it was an immigration issue," Mr. Furbert said. "Commonsense tells me it had to do with more than Immigration."

Mr. Furbert said that while many of his Hamilton West constituents wanted the Premier to go, one thing was clear from his discussions: they wanted the PLP to remain in power.

"They want him to go, but not the PLP to fall," he said. "I cannot support this particular motion based on the understanding of my own constituents."

Mr. Furbert added that he had only made his decision the night before the vote.

He made some references to his Christianity and the notion of forgiveness, and said: "I forgive the Premier for what he did."

Shadow Education Minister Grant Gibbons said he couldn't agree with the Premier saying he had no power in this situation.

"I would submit that you don't bring a plane full of ex-Guantanamo Bay prisoners, land them at the airport without passports, without power. You have to have power to be able to do that."

He continued: "It is a very serious error because one of the issues was the security concerns. To simply accept that and not do the kind of diligence that is necessary here, I believe he's not doing the right kind of responsibility.

"Either way you look at it, there is no accountability."

Speaking about the two protests that were held this week, Dr. Gibbons said: "Protesters have been discredited for doing what they have the right to do."

Dr. Gibbons added: "I think it is very hard for us to understand the degree of concern the Americans have about terrorists. But unless you were in New York or close to it, I don't think you really understand being attacked, being violated."

Dr. Gibbons also spoke of the decline in tourism due to of Dr. Brown allowing the Uighurs to live on the Island.

"I spoke to a hotelier who said he's been getting cancellations. I think we really won't know and we may never know what the total impact of this is."

And speaking to PLP ministers, Dr. Gibbons said: "I think in this particular case, there is collective responsibility. If you don't agree with something and you have not been treated properly, you know what you have to do."

Derrick Burgess, Minister of Works and Engineering, told the House although Government might have made an error, they made the right decision.

He quoted the story of the good Samaritan from the Bible and said Bermuda was being the good Samaritan to these men.

"That's what good people do. That's what this Government does. We do good things," he said.

Mr. Burgess said Britain shouldn't step in to give Bermuda "spanks" because of the error that was made.

"They take care of the Isle of Man but did nothing for Bermuda. A relationship goes both ways. Yes we have to respect Britain, but Britain also has to respect us as one of their colonies.

"When the US left Bermuda, Britain should have been negotiating the clean-up of the bases, not us. Britain is the landlord and they left us out in the deep blue sea.

"Britain's relationship goes both ways and, Mr. Speaker, it is the Premier's duty to see that we have good relationships with countries, particularly the USA."

Mr. Burgess continued: "You need friends. I don't care what you do. You need friends. This goes both ways Mr. Speaker. Britain must show that they love this country. That's what they have got to do. They must show that they have interests in this country."

The Minister said dealing with the stop list was a top priority right now so that Bermudians who had minor convictions from years ago would be allowed to travel to the US.

He also spoke about gang violence.

"We have terrorists right on our streets. That's what we should be marching about."

Shadow Health Minister Louise Jackson spoke about some the Government's flaws such as closing the Indigent Clinic, the controversy around FutureCare for seniors and Dr. Brown's visit to the Playboy Mansion.

"If he is a true humanitarian then why did he close this clinic? The protesters accused him of failing to consult the public of the move. And guess what the answer was from our Premier the humanitarian? They wanted to know how the clinic's patients would get treatment in the future. He said we consulted the people through their doctors. Doctor, the honourable Ewart Brown said this."

She continued: "The people want to be heard. I am wondering whether the Premier and the Government are listening.

"It is a very important motion. Are you going to have a Premier who is a law to himself? Instead of defending the constitution, he breaks the constitution."

Junior Home Affairs Minister Walter Roban also spoke about the successes the PLP have had over the past 11 years.

"The people have confidence in us and that's why they have selected us for three consecutive elections.

"This Government has been busy because it has the confidence of the people. We have the confidence of the people of Bermuda."

Government backbencher Walter Roban accused the British Government of "inaction and ineptness" when dealing with matters on behalf of Bermuda. He said the UK had failed repeatedly to act in the interests of the Island.

Mr. Roban said that with regard to the Uighurs, "we took a position that was different to the British Government". He added: "Due process is being followed because the British Government does have the final say and they are exerting their full executive authority around this matter."

He said it was his view that the British Government had already abrogated its responsibilities towards Bermuda under the Constitution.

Mr. Roban said the no confidence vote would fail because the majority of MPs had already admitted they had not lost confidence in the Government.

"This resolution has already been decided," he claimed, adding that the Opposition had admitted it had no issue with the Government "but this resolution can only be about the Government". "Perhaps they should withdraw it," he suggested.

Mr. Roban said it went "against convention" and "against all practice that is normal and understood in Westminster" to vote against the Premier. "This resolution is useless and the Opposition has already agreed with that," he said.

Shadow Housing Minister Donte Hunt said the no confidence motion was fully in line with the Constitution but he understood why the wording did not sit well with PLP MPs.

"I fully understand why the Government can't swallow this particular motion," he said. "But this is the only means that we can put forward our particular intent, that is, to remove the Premier."

He added: "The people have to rely on us, if they want a leader to be removed, to put forward this particular motion."

The Opposition MP said the motion was the "best vehicle that we have, hands down" to carry out the will of the people and that the way it was worded was the only available way.

"This motion is really a motion that can only really be brought through the House by the Opposition." He said Government MPs were hardly likely to bring a motion against themselves.

Mr. Hunt said the situation meant there was a "constitutional dilemma" because the motion itself did not really allow for the removal of the Premier. "The Constitution in this case is inept to do that."

He said the Opposition simply didn't have the numbers on its own to push the motion through. "This motion has no chance of ever being passed based on shared numbers." He suggested the Constitution should be amended.

A suggestion by Mr. Hunt that Government MPs trust the Opposition and vote with them, brought laughter from the public gallery.

"Laughs should not come as a result of me saying 'trust'," he said. "Trust us. What we are doing is the express will of the people. I understand the pill is a hard pill to swallow by the Government but it's all that we have."

PLP backbencher Zane DeSilva began and ended his speech with a question. "How dare the UBP try and tell us how to choose our Premier?" he said.

He said the debate in the House was really just a chance for both sides to air their views as there was no chance of the motion being approved.

Mr. DeSilva suggested that the motion was really an attempt to oust Government and questioned why "unsubstantiated" comments about the Premier — particularly ones he said had appeared in The Royal Gazette — were being raised.

He suggested that the reason there was constant criticism of the Department of Tourism's contract with US contractor GlobalHue was "because the owner of GlobalHue doesn't look like me".

At that, Opposition leader Kim Swan leapt to his feet and said the member was "impugning improper motives" of him and that he repeatedly raised the GlobalHue issue because of the wasteful spending of public money. "That has nothing to do with the pigmentation of someone's skin," said Mr. Swan.

Mr. DeSilva defended the Premier and the Government's approach to the media, which he said was only normal when they came in for so much flak.

"What do you expect our Premier and our Government to do when over the last ten years there have been hundreds, literally hundreds, of stories, nefarious, unsubstantiated, horrible stories about our Premier and indeed our Ministers."

He added: "Do you think this Government should send The Royal Gazette a box of chocolates every week?"

He accused the Opposition of hypocrisy for constantly suggesting that greater ties needed forging with the US and then criticising Government when it did just that.

"The decision that was made by our Premier last week, I have to believe that that has really solidified our relationship with our number one neighbour," said Mr. DeSilva.

He said those in charge sometimes had to make difficult decisions because the decisions were important ones. He said that the explanations given about the Uighurs' arrival had satisfied people, including the Cabinet. "I applaud the Premier," he said.

The PLP MP listed a string of achievements since his party came to power and said Bermuda was divided before Dr. Brown came along and probably still would be when he was no longer Premier.

He said the public had given the PLP a vote of confidence in the last three elections and would get the opportunity to have their say again at the next election.

Mr. DeSilva said he was amazed that Opposition MPs had depicted Tuesday's march as "non political, non racial and peaceful".

"If this was a peaceful, non political, non racial demonstration why would we be called murderers? Why would I and my wife be called nigger lovers? Yes, I heard that. If this was a demonstration about protocol not being followed, people not being consulted, Cabinet Ministers not being told, secrecy, why did my wife and I feel like we were about to be lynched?

"The only thing missing from that demonstration was a rope and a tree. I feared not only for my wife but I feared for our Premier and his wife. As they left the ground I thought we were really going to have a situation never before seen in Bermuda. It was scary."

He said he hoped it was a one-off because people were a "little too hyped". "To see something like that in Bermuda was absolutely appalling."

John Barritt, the Opposition's legislative reform spokesman, said his party was not attempting to tell the other side how to elect its leader. "The Opposition has a limited number of tools at its disposal," he said.

"One of the most important motions that an opposition can bring is a vote of no confidence. The key words there are 'the Government led by the Premier'."

He said the Constitution vested power in the Governor to appoint the Premier based on who he believed could command a majority in the House.

Mr. Barritt said he was not aware of any party using the vote of no confidence provision since 1968. "I'm going to maintain that it can be done, in my view," he said. "It's entirely appropriate to bring that motion to the floor of the House."

He acknowledged that his party had only 13 members in the House but needed 18 votes to win the motion. "We live in hope and we die in despair," he said.

"I don't think it's misguided and why don't I think it's misguided? Because you'd have to be deaf, blind and dumb to think that all is well in Bermuda, to think that all is well with the PLP Government."

Mr. Barritt said the PLP members who had spoken had "closed ranks" and diligently read from a list of party accomplishments prepared for them.

He said the party was right to try to stymie the motion but that didn't mean it could pretend nothing was wrong. "All is not well," said Mr. Barritt.

He said wider concern in the community about the direction and leadership of the Government was exemplified by the decision on the Uighurs.

Mr. Barritt asked why the Premier gave wrong information to the House about the Police Commissioner's assessment of the four former prisoners.

And he asked what was the rush, suggesting that the Pacific island of Palau was taking its time to negotiate a hefty financial settlement with the US in return for taking 13 Uighurs from Guantánamo Bay.

Mr. Barritt said even if the US demanded secrecy regarding the deal with Bermuda, the Island did not have to obey. "I have as much difficulty taking orders from them [the US] as you do taking orders from Great Britain," he told Government MPs.

PLP backbencher Randy Horton told the House that he had been "bombarded" with complaints from whites and blacks alike in recent days.

"They've not been complaining about the PLP so much as the leader of the PLP Government," he said.

He acknowledged the Premier had made many positive strides during his tenure, but said his decision to bring in four Guantanamo detainees without consultation was the last straw.

"On the last decision that he's made, he's overstepped his boundaries," Mr. Horton said. "I have no problem with the humanitarian aspect of a decision to bring these gentlemen into Bermuda. I may not agree with the decision because I don't.

"Particularly I don't agree that we have them here without having the consultation, without the benefit of the wisdom of so many people in this country in leadership positions."

He noted that the recent plaudits from US Senators and a phone call Dr. Brown received from President Obama "are absolutely expected", especially given that Bermuda has done the US a service.

"We've taken the US out of the hole these are four people they've detained," he said.

Mr. Horton was particularly vocal on the issue of naturalisation for the Uighurs, telling the House that his American wife had to wait ten years to become a citizen.

"I believe firmly they should not be given full citizenship while they're here," he said. "That is something indeed they should earn."

He said he knew this week's rallies would not have the impact they might have because the "optics" were wrong, noting all the white protesters present.

He went on to commend Janice Battersbee, one of the key organisers of the protests, calling her a "staunch PLP supporter" who has been active in party meetings.

Mr. Horton said he was "disturbed" by the Premier's dismissal of the rally, alluding to Dr. Brown's comments on Tuesday that he'd been to larger and longer demonstrations .

"He was on the other side protesting," he said of Dr. Brown's history of activism.

"Our honourable Premier has not been checked enough," he said in conclusion. "I don't think we've held him accountable enough."

Cabinet Minister Dale Butler told the House that the Premier should have consulted the UK before his controversial decision, but admitted Dr. Brown was not the type to constantly seek permission.

"It's not part of his modus operandi," he said.

Mr. Butler praised this week's rallies as "democracy in action", and noted that he saw "Bermudians" at the protests rather than white people.

"I'm not even surprised or upset or want to belabour the point that the group was mostly white. So what?"

He read a selection of letters he received this week aloud in order to demonstrate the variety of viewpoints on the no confidence motion.

Mr. Butler then told the House that he'd initially joined the PLP as a 16-year-old because of his perception that the party was committed to working people and to the law. He then launched into a condemnation of the Premier's actions, calling his lack of consultation with Cabinet "reprehensible".

"As a Minister I am very disappointed I was not consulted," he said. "I was absolutely stunned I think we all were when we were not informed."

He concluded his speech by asking for an apology from the Premier, and withdrawal of the motion should Dr. Brown comply.

"The Premier should apologise to the House, his Cabinet, and the people of Bermuda," he said. "Withdraw your motion; I would like to accept an apology."

UBP MP Pat Gordon-Pamplin took issue with Mr. Horton's comments from earlier in the evening on the "optics" of this week's demonstrations, when he noted that the two rallies were predominantly white.

"Isn't this Government, the PLP Government, the Government of all people of Bermuda?" she asked.

She called the Premier's actions "indefensible", asking: "Do you believe might should override right?"

Ms Gordon-Pamplin drew murmurs from the Government MPs across the floor when she mentioned the Finance Minister, E-Commerce Minister and Education Minister as "options" for leadership.

She went on to discuss reports of the four Uighurs' training in Afghanistan and Tora Bora, but said we know little about how intimately they were involved in any terrorist activity. She expressed concern that the US, who had detained the four men, had now washed their hands of them.

"If I had spent eight years of doing something wrong, I would want to put it right," she said. "We are all humanitarians within this honourable House and I believe in the country at large."

Ms Gordon-Pamplin was highly critical of the decision to give the Uighurs citizenship when there were expat workers who have put "time, energy and money" into Bermuda, but who will never be full citizens.

"Why can we not have something that helps our people that have been here, that helps them first?" she asked.

She closed by saying that the PLP Government has an obligation to every single Bermudian regardless of ethnicity.

Government backbencher Neletha Butterfield told the House that the Uighurs controversy had given her one of the most difficult times of her political career.

She said her constituents, including young disaffected men who felt the Island was doing little to help them, were demanding to know why the decision was taken to let the men come here.

"I'm going to have a rough time explaining a lot of things to them," she said, adding that one young man had told her she was alright because she was "not in the crowd that had made that decision".

The former Minister said: "That's the pulse of the neighbourhood. It's put us all in a very bad position."

Ms Butterfield said sometimes decisions affected everybody and that sometimes apologising was the right thing to do. She added that there were "too many in our country that have pain, that are angry and that are hurting".

"Sometimes when you make decisions in life you actually cause people to try to work it out and it's not working out as much as we like," she said.

The PLP MP said she hoped she never got to a point where voters were chanting for her to go. "If it ever happens to me, I'm gone," she said. "Something has to be wrong." She said when so many people were protesting "we have to stop and listen".

Ms Butterfield said of the Uighurs controversy: "This has been a huge pill to swallow. Everybody has a different question and you have got to find an answer. It's been reflected on the street. It's been reflected in our young people.

"As the young people are being disruptive, they are looking at us. When they ask me what's going on, I have to try my best to see what I can answer them with."

She told MPs: "The honourable Premier did rise this morning and said he had regrets. Regrets can turn into an apology. I strongly believe it.

"Not just the Cabinet Ministers deserve it, not just the backbenchers deserve it, but the people of Bermuda deserve an apology."

Ms Butterfield added: "The honourable Premier needs to remember that we in this honourable House were all elected to serve and represent our people."

The backbencher said the Uighurs decision could cause people to lose confidence in the Government. "Some good may come out of this but in the meantime I think an apology to this country would be good so that we can move on."

Former Premier Dame Jennifer Smith told MPs that only the Premier knew why he took the decision he did. "Only he can describe his thought processes. It's quite possible that he actually didn't think about consulting Britain."

She said she would like some assurance or acknowledgement of the need to follow rules and respect the Constitution.

"I don't need that for me," said the Deputy Speaker. "There are many, many young people in this Island who admire and emulate the Premier and I really, really do not want another generation to grow up and think that the end justifies the means."

She added: "People do judge you by your actions. You don't have to be perfect but when you do make a mistake you do have to say to those watching you and who model themselves on you: 'it was wrong when I did that'."

Dame Jennifer said she could not trust that the motion was not an attempt to sack the Government so could not vote for it. "I have every confidence in the Government and people of this country," she concluded.

Environment Minister Glenn Blakeney said there had been flaws and mistakes in the way the Uighurs situation was handled and that such errors could be critical "because we don't yet know how it's going to play out".

But he said he would not support any motion against the Government. Mr. Blakeney said two individuals had taken a political risk. "For what? Why?" he asked.

He said that though proper protocol had not been followed it was because the Premier took a tough stance on the things he believed in.

By Sam Strangeways

Government backbencher Neletha Butterfield told the House that the Uighurs controversy had given her one of the most difficult times of her political career.

She said her constituents, including young disaffected men who felt the Island was doing little to help them, were demanding to know why the decision was taken to let the men come here.

"I'm going to have a rough time explaining a lot of things to them," she said, adding that one young man had told her she was alright because she was "not in the crowd that had made that decision".

The former Minister said: "That's the pulse of the neighbourhood. It's put us all in a very bad position."

Ms Butterfield said sometimes decisions affected everybody and that sometimes apologising was the right thing to do. She added that there were "too many in our country that have pain, that are angry and that are hurting".

"Sometimes when you make decisions in life you actually cause people to try to work it out and it's not working out as much as we like," she said.

The PLP MP said she hoped she never got to a point where voters were chanting for her to go. "If it ever happens to me, I'm gone," she said. "Something has to be wrong." She said when so many people were protesting "we have to stop and listen".

Ms Butterfield said of the Uighurs controversy: "This has been a huge pill to swallow. Everybody has a different question and you have got to find an answer. It's been reflected on the street. It's been reflected in our young people.

"As the young people are being disruptive, they are looking at us. When they ask me what's going on, I have to try my best to see what I can answer them with."

She told MPs: "The honourable Premier did rise this morning and said he had regrets. Regrets can turn into an apology. I strongly believe it.

"Not just the Cabinet Ministers deserve it, not just the backbenchers deserve it, but the people of Bermuda deserve an apology."

Ms Butterfield added: "The honourable Premier needs to remember that we in this honourable House were all elected to serve and represent our people."

The backbencher said the Uighurs decision could cause people to lose confidence in the Government. "Some good may come out of this but in the meantime I think an apology to this country would be good so that we can move on."

Former Premier Dame Jennifer Smith told MPs that only the Premier knew why he took the decision he did. "Only he can describe his thought processes. It's quite possible that he actually didn't think about consulting Britain."

She said she would like some assurance or acknowledgement of the need to follow rules and respect the Constitution.

"I don't need that for me," said the Deputy Speaker. "There are many, many young people in this Island who admire and emulate the Premier and I really, really do not want another generation to grow up and think that the end justifies the means."

She added: "People do judge you by your actions. You don't have to be perfect but when you do make a mistake you do have to say to those watching you and who model themselves on you: 'it was wrong when I did that'."

Dame Jennifer said she could not trust that the motion was not an attempt to sack the Government so could not vote for it. "I have every confidence in the Government and people of this country," she concluded.

Environment Minister Glenn Blakeney said there had been flaws and mistakes in the way the Uighurs situation was handled and that such errors could be critical "because we don't yet know how it's going to play out".

But he said he would not support any motion against the Government. Mr. Blakeney said two individuals had taken a political risk. "For what? Why?" he asked.

He said that though proper protocol had not been followed it was because the Premier took a tough stance on the things he believed in.

Sport Minister Glenn Blakeney put his support behind the Premier and called his decision "bold".

"He took a bold risk, the biggest risk of his political career," he said.

"For me it wasn't very outside of his character because he thinks outside of the box. He was thinking Bermuda."

Mr. Blakeney continued: "As I started out saying we are a blessed country and not withstanding the challenges we have. What's humbled me is my personal experiences".

Mr. Blakeney spoke about his son who has physically difficulties and another son who spent time in jail and said it was painful for him.

The Minister said he met the Uighurs and spent time with them. "I had the opportunity to meet the Uighurs with their interpreter. I feel confident that they don't present a security risk. And sometimes an error on the side of conscious is a good thing.

"I think Minister Burch and our honourable Premier did what they thought was in the best interest of the country. It may be wrong but it was the noble interest."

UBP MP Charlie Swan said: "We look to leaders who have ability, experience. I am having a little difficulty at what's transpired of the past week.

"We have a Premier now who is very bold and mentioned righting wrongs as one of the things his party and he would look at doing during his tenure.

"These are all honourable things. I just sometimes have questions."

He continued: "This motion was addressed to deal with the Premier. I wanted to talk on that issue of leadership. If one's trying to right past wrong these are things that governments have to do.

"It is the other side that has to do something about it."

Deputy Premier and Finance Minister Paula Cox said while she didn't agree with how the decision was made, she could not support a vote that could jeopardise the government.

"It is time to speak of many things and I am going to have a crucial conversation and a candid conversation. The last week has been an interesting week. I ask myself was it necessary and it is a resounding no.

"I think it is time for us to be more concerned about not cutting corners and it is also important for us to know that justice must also be done."

She continued: "I have never been a stepford wife. I have never been someone who has been brainwashed. That has never been my style up to now and that will never be my style."

Ms Cox talked about the decision that she was left out of last week.

"Now the honourable Premier and the Minister have taken a very dramatic, liberal and creative interpretation of their powers. Others may say they acted ultra vires but I don't think so.

"I'm not understanding the fact that we heard it was an immigration issue. I find it inconceivable to think that you can talk about getting prisoners and to bring them into Bermuda and for that not to be seen as foreign policy? It goes a little beyond an immigration issue.

"I believe that boldness has magic and genius in it. I believe that we want to be seen to have people who are shrewd, smooth, savvy and strategic."

She continued: "To me I believe there's ministerial accountability at all levels. What time is that because I know that people are watching us and we have a rising public voice.

"People also need to learn that they should respect our leader. No leader should have had to go through what I saw the honourable Premier go through. You support even when you don't always agree. That is so you know where I stand."

Ms Cox said she had problems with the motion launched by the UBP.

"That is because then you look at the constitution and the relevant section, it is not as absolute and strict as it may seem. However what do you think? Look at the front bench. Look at the backbench. Look at those who sit in another place."

The deputy premier said she didn't think the House was the correct place to debate the issue and suggested a delegates conference could have been organised.

"This is not the time of the place to have a lynching of the party leader.

"I do not even think there is a forum in the political sense. I cannot support coming to the House to take out the PLP party that the PLP government. This is my prescription.

"With that it gives me great pleasure to end my comments and to indicate that I will not be supporting this motion."

UBP deputy leader Trevor Moniz spoke briefly about "the mess" the Premier has caused to the Island as a result of his decision.

"The fact of the matter is that we as an opposition have it and our responsibility if we believe that the leader is not the right person to be Premier. There are clearly people who think we should have done something else.

"We felt it incumbent on us to give it the heaviest in terms of a motion that we could give it."

PLP backbencher Patrice Minors said she too couldn't support a motion that could force the PLP out of power.

She told the House she had received many e-mails about the topic with people on both sides of the fence but the one that stuck out said "keep the party together".

"There was nothing more that had to be said after hearing that", she said.

"What I will say is that I cannot and I will not exercise a vote that goes against this government. I am one that is pleased with the accomplishments that this Government has made. This Government is one that has it's people at heart."

UBP MP Darius Tucker applauded Dr. Brown's go-getter mindset and attitude of wanting to get things done.

"I am sure that the Premier has realised that some decisions were made that weren't in the best interest."