OBA’s Sen. Michelmore Moving To Australia
After a few years at the forefront of Bermuda politics, Opposition Senator Kathy Michelmore is to move with her family to New South Wales, Australia.
Sen. Michelmore, who has practiced medicine at King Edward VII Memorial Hospital, will continue her medical work as a General Practitioner/family doctor in a group practice.
The move, which will take place in late November, will allow her husband, who is Australian, to spend more time with family in that part of the world and enable their children to experience their Australian heritage.
Though she is moving, the legislator remains energised about the need for change in Bermudian politics and she is confident that things are now in a much better place than when she first became involved.
“I believe that the tide of history is with the One Bermuda Alliance,” she said. “The birth of the OBA has generated widespread interest and support and has made people believe that change can happen. It is clear that people are looking for change, and that they are looking to the OBA to help get the Island back on track and working again.
“I became involved in politics because I believe Bermudians want and deserve more from our government and political system than they are getting. Bermuda’s style of politics has historically been very divisive and has made consensus-building and decision-making more difficult than need be, and this has damaged our community spirit.”
Sen. Michelmore is proud of her contribution to the political dynamic in Bermuda because she believes it shows how individuals who may lack political experience, but who have solid ideas and vision, can contribute meaningfully to the level of debate. She hopes her involvement will inspire others to step forward and to have a real say in what happens to the island.
“There is a growing understanding that the challenges we face cannot be met without accepting the need to change and reinvigorate the political system,” she said. “We cannot afford to be disconnected. We cannot cling to divisiveness and historical score-settling. We can no longer shelter under the cover of blind loyalties.
“I still believe that our system will function better if it becomes less adversarial, more cooperative, more efficient, more accessible and more connected with the people it serves.
“The OBA is committed to a broad programme of reform that will make government more transparent, more accountable, and more responsive. The goal is to use reform to provide Bermudians going forward with government they can trust. We need a government that demonstrates leadership by example. This is something everyone can relate to.”
Sen. Michelmore said “international relationships” such as hers with her husband create an additional dimension to choices for families.
“I recognise that many people may ask ‘Why leave now?’ when the political landscape is becoming more and more exciting. Timing is never perfect, and a move at any time would probably disappoint. However our family has a new adventure ahead, and our circumstances mean that now is the time for us.”
One Bermuda Alliance Leader Craig Cannonier said: “Kathy will be missed. She has been a voice for reason and consensus-building. She never spoke without first carefully developing her understanding of the issues, always with a view to finding solutions. She is a positive spirit and, much as I regret to say it, Bermuda’s loss will be Australia’s gain. We wish her and her family all the best in their new life Down Under.
“The silver lining in this development is that she will continue to stay in touch and contribute her views. That’s the beauty of the internet age. The planet’s the same size but the world is brought closer.”
Sen. Michelmore noted many Bermudians who are not resident on the island continue to play an active role in political discussion and debate and that she will keep in close touch with events.
“I remain committed to the OBA’s vision for Bermuda,” she said.
Mr. Cannonier will not be making an announcement of a replacement for the OBA Senate team until Parliament resumes next month.
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- New OBA Senators: Michael Fahy & Tony Daniels : Bernews.com | November 3, 2011
Rather anti-climatic!
Clearly any intention to immigrate to Australia would have been considered sometime ago even before the circumstances permitted it.
It would appear that Dr. Michelmore was something of a natural politican as she seems to have had a knack for not letting the right hand know what the left hand was doing.
Are you saying that her brand of politics would be better suited to PLP where they “deceive” their own people?!!?
I wrote about this months ago and no one took notice, even called her the new spin doctor. She accepted the senatorship, knowing she was moving out to down under. Perhaps she need the extra dollars to take out of Bermuda with her to Aussie land. This is what you can expect from the OBA non-transparancy. LMAO
Black soil she is our people 2 because as a mixed race not matter what’s its mixed with if black is in the equation the world considers you black.
Christ…get a mental check up!!!
Sad to see. Another example of the ‘brain drain’ which has been going on for some time. Many would say that the smart money left Bermuda 13 years ago.
I think everyone who can, has a plan to leave Bermuda. It just takes a trigger to put the plan into action.
(Pun very much intended)
More people are leaving Bermuda…..and it is not because of the world-wide slowdown. PLP are dying and they are taking Bermuda down along with them. I wish the brains of that diseased/fractured party would leave PLP and form a govt that people could trust and the international community could put faith in!!
I won’t support the PLP, but looking at the pictures of the PLP banquet last evening, I noted many a “brains” people supporting and representing. Ironically a few whites ones 2, brainy that is. Today is Sunday Black Soil, lets fall to our knees in prayer for Bermuda and stop running down the PLP. Lets seek solutions.
You think those PLP “whites” are for change?? You think any of the PLP are for change?? PLP continue the legacy of UBP!! The PLP have out-UBP’ed the UBP!!! I am very disappointed!!!
Black soil are you stupid, or are you white and stupid.
Because you sound like a racise pig.
Look in the mirror bud……….a racist is stairing back at you…………
LOL
Half correct Black Soil – the PLP along with the OBA elected MPs have out ubped the ubp. Your disappointment should be in the OBA camp as well. They are all deceivers and non transparency politicians. Vote for the Independents, our only saving choice.
All the best to Dr. Michelmore. I hope Ms. Spring is her replacement, being a Senator will aid her canvassibg
You’ll have to deal with some very territorial Sheila’s where your heading Mrs.Michelmore and the Joey’s are not very accomodating either . You will soon wish that you were back in Bermuda dealing with smelly onions .
Thank you for you contribution Dr M .. Both in your profession and in getting an alternative party established .
From what I hear , after a while ‘down under’ it’s most unlikely you’ll ever want to return to this place .
All the best to you and your family , I’m sure the Aussies will make you feel welcome and wanted.
All the best to you, Mrs. Michelmore.
I think lot a lot of us are thinking about leaving the Island…because there is not to much hope for our future….and young Doctor Micheimore has seen the light and is moving on….good luck to you and your family.
All the Best Dr. M!!! Also a thank you for making room for another to grow…
I can’t blame Dr. Mitchelmore-she needs to do what’s best for her and her family, and her family naturally has to come first. Not too long ago she was scolding drivers for the crazy way they act on the road and talked about close calls shed had whilst walking her children to school at Warwick Academy, and how dangerous the situation had become. I’m sure this wasn’t the only reason for her wishing to leave, but it may have been one more thing that has her fed up.
More and more people are leaving Bermuda and I for one am also considering it. Bermuda just isn’t the same place it was. Crime is everywhere, but Bermuda is so tiny you feel you can’t escape it. Before you could avoid being a victim by just staying away from certain areas, but now you have these thugs shooting wherever they can find their intended victim even if it’s a public place. One never knows when something bad will happen. I’ve seen violent fights break out at late night Xmas shopping, outside KFC in the middle of town-everywhere. Who knows when some fool will decide to pull out a gun and shoot someone right in the middle of Hamilton?
About two years ago I told work colleagues that criminals should be sent to prisons overseas to serve out their sentences and recently Minister Perinchief said the Gov’t was considering exactly that. What are they waiting for? It’s something that can be surely be done and would save us money. If these punks knew they’d be sent to jail in Jamaica where it’s not that easy for mommy to come and visit them, and where the prison is a real prison, it just might be the deterrent they need.
As a black person, I am just disgusted with the way some in the black community are acting. Let’s just be real here-blacks commit most of the crime in Bermuda and give ALL blacks a bad name. During the days of segregation we were respectful and law-abiding. We waited until marriage to have children, went to church and valued an education. Our parents and grandparents fought for equality for us all, and now that we have it what are we doing? Many of our women are having kids before marriage for multiple ‘baby daddies’ and our men are getting into trouble. Many don’t value an education-the one thing that will make us successful in life. Whites predicted that blacks would act in this way if desegregation happened and instead of proving them wrong with our dying breath, many of us are doing exactly what they predicted we’d do! It’s ridiculous and embarrassing.
I hope this comment is printed because people need a wake-up call. I’m sick of the way these thugs are terrorizing this country with no concern for the damage they’re doing locally or internationally. It’s out of control and we need to get a grip on this before something truly catastrophic occurs. This Government has proven they have no ideas or plans on how to fix this problem or any of the million and one other problems we have here. If the people vote the PLP back in, then we deserve the misery that will surely follow.
“This Government has proven they have no ideas or plans on how to fix this problem or any of the million and one other problems we have here. If the people vote the PLP back in, then we deserve the misery that will surely follow.”
I agree, and like Mrs. Michelmore and many others, I have an exit strategy that I very well may put to action. Yes, I want to stay and be part of the solution putting repairs in place but, guys.. self-preservation. I need to do what’s best for my family and I and if that means leaving this country and start a new life somewhere else, so be it.
Like many, we have the option and choice to pack up and go and come back and fourth and do whatever is in our best interest.
I am very sorry to see this bright young lady leave Bermuda. I have been so impressed with her. I expect a lot more intelligent black and white young people will leave as there is nothing for them here with the PLP in power
I wish Dr. Michelmore and her family all the best in Australia. They are smart to make the move now, while their children are young and she and her husband have the best of their career lives ahead of them.
Sadly, thanks to the PLP, the leading export of Bermuda is its people….
Country above self? Or
Self above country