Alliance: Colonel Burch Is A Divisive Figure

June 18, 2010

In a statement released by Craig Cannonier, leader of the Bermuda Democratic Alliance, he welcomes the extension given by Government on the land licence issue, and goes on to state that Minister of Immigration Colonel David Burch is a “divisive figure” and “has far too much power for an unelected individual.” Mr Cannonier made the statements following remarks made by the Colonel during a speech in the Senate in which he said:

I note with some interest and amusement the bleating of the three Opposition legal critics of this amendment – Barritt, Moniz and Pettingill – who while claiming to represent the poor foreign spouses of Bermudians never mention their own potential criminal behavior or that of their firms in the fronting of land purchases that this amendment was also designed to address. You will well know, Madam President, with three lawyers in a room – you get about six opinions.

The UBP’s Kim.Swan had previously spoken on the same matter, saying Minister Burch’s “personal attack” on Trevor Moniz, John Barritt and Mark Pettingill “represent a kind of gutter politics.”

Mr Cannonier’s full statement follows below:

Whilst the BDA welcomes the extension of time given by the Government in respect of the Act we cannot accept the remarks made by Senator Burch in the Senate regarding Mark Pettingill and other members of the legal fraternity.

The Senator’s outbursts are becoming increasingly vitriolic, confrontational and are completely unnecessary. When is the Minister for Everything going to be reigned in? Whilst some may think his tough approach on some issues is what Bermuda needs, there is a time and a place for this.

Irregardless of how one may feel personally about those who have acted in the interest of good governance, sound advice is always good for Bermudians. To be suggestive and accuse opposition MP’s of unscrupulous behavior is foolish. It’s a new day and this kind of behaviour will not be tolerated. The undertones of racial divisiveness is old. The Senator is a divisive figure and has far too much power for an unelected individual. I call on the Senator to check himself before he wrecks himself and further divides our country.

Read More About

Category: All, News, Politics

.