The Opposition has accused the Government of failing to listen or compromise over its plans for Bermuda to become a full member of the Caribbean Community.

One Bermuda Alliance leader Jarion Richardson spoke out after the Government confirmed yesterday that it was still pressing ahead with full membership — although there appears to have been little progress on the proposal since it was unveiled a year ago.

Today, Mr Richardson said that full membership of Caricom would prove costly and give the island few extra benefits — if any — that it receives as an associate member of the bloc.

Mr Richardson added that it would not address more pressing problems at home.

He said: “This Government continues to force Bermudians to live in complete obedience with no room for listening and compromise.

“Joining an international body, which incurs fees during a time of unprecedented cost-of-living increases, is to put the cart before the horse. Beyond a general feel-good, this Government doesn’t seem to know why it is even joining Caricom. All we know is that it will cost money.

“The Government’s feel-good sales pitch conveniently neglects that the benefits it has mentioned we already receive from Caricom. Expanding our role, while major issues continue to fester in Bermuda, is evidence of a secret the public is not being let in on.

“Will Caricom give homes to our 800 homeless? No. Will Caricom fix our $125 million interest payment on $3.5 billion in debt? No.

“Will Caricom reduce the cost of food, housing or energy? No. Will Caricom reduce the violent crime snatching lives from our community? No. Will Caricom keep our desperate charities, like Teen Haven and Salvation Army, open? No.

“Will Caricom staff our beaches so that people stop drowning? No. Will Caricom clear up the cosy relationship between vendors and this Government? No.

“In fact, what, if anything, will Caricom do to improve life in Bermuda? At this point, no one knows the answer to that question — least of all this Government.

“The Government should spend time on what’s happening in our borders, before it jets off to yet another adventure funded by the taxpayer.”

In the months after the plan was announced, the OBA called for a referendum on the topic.

In March, Mr Richardson said: “We made it clear in our town hall meetings that matters that have a significant and lasting impact, given the very small size of our community, must be dealt with fully, and the best way to do that is by way of a referendum.”

Former premier Sir John Swan also called for a national poll on the move.

He said it was “not the time”, adding that such a move should be “by the people, for the people and of the people, if you believe the country is ready for something of such magnitude”.