Government should move faster to abolish conscription into the Bermuda Regiment, shadow National Security Minister Walter Roban said last night.

Premier and National Security Minister Michael Dunkley has already said that conscription was set to be abolished with the last intake of conscripted soldiers taking part in annual Recruit Camp in 2016.

That means the last conscripted soldiers would end their service in 2019.

“The PLP agrees that the abolition of conscription must be done in an orderly manner. We agree that the responsibilities must be adequately addressed to ensure the safety and security of Bermudians,” Mr Roban said.

He added that the PLP had committed itself to ending conscription in its 2012 election platform and that, after the party lost the election, it tabled an Opposition bill to abolish the practice, which was voted down by Government. Mr Dunkley told the House of Assembly earlier in the summer that legislation to end conscription would be brought to the House of Assembly in the next session of Parliament.

“After 20 months there has been no legislative initiative and no clear plan or vision for the Regiment,” Mr Roban said last night.

And he posed a series of questions on the future role of the Regiment — including whether there would “an expansion of the relationship” with the US, Canada and the Caribbean.

“The Regiment has a long tradition of developing our citizens and providing assistance in times of national emergencies,” Mr Roban said.

“We must not only have volunteer-focused service but also a professional service that develops people who contribute to the prosperity, safety, security and reputation of Bermuda.

“It’s important for the OBA to now prove that they were not just all talk as Opposition and that they vision and a role for a 21st century Regiment.

“Bermudians should not be forced to wait five years for the OBA to figure out how to keep this promise.”

A spokeswoman for the Ministry of National Security said: “Seven weeks ago, on 11th July in the House of Assembly the Premier and Minister of National Security clearly set out the Government’s plan for the elimination of conscription and made specific reference the development of the maritime role of the Regiment.

“As promised, the Ministry is developing the framework for the required legislation to deal with modernising the Regiment’s disciplinary system as well as providing for the elimination of conscription. The Opposition Bill did not deal with these issues.

“Additionally, the House debated the Report of the Security & Defence Review Committee and the Opposition signaled its support for the Government’s broad plans at that time.

“It should be noted that the Shadow Minister was not present in the House on the 11th July and therefore did not avail himself of the opportunity to question the Premier at that time.”