Petty: Constituency Committee Can Recall Me

December 14, 2012

Independent candidate David Petty — who is running in C#20 Pembroke South West — said if he is elected he will establish a “Constituency Committee” of industry sector experts to advise him, and they will also have the power to recall him.

The incumbent C#20 MP Louise Jackson [OBA] is retiring, and her daughter Susan Jackson will stand for the OBA.

Marcus Jones will stand for the PLP, while Independent Johnathan Starling will also contest the area. Considered by many to be a safe seat, Mrs Jackson earned over 80% of the vote in the 2007 and 2003 elections.

Mr Petty said: “It has become increasingly clear to me during my canvassing that C20 constituents are deeply unhappy with being taken for granted by the political parties and in having little influence in the running of the country other than when they vote.

“In answer to this concern, I commit, should I be elected to represent Pembroke South West on Monday 17th December, that I will immediately establish a Constituency Committee of industry sector experts to not only advise me of constituency concerns, but to effectively act as my “boss”, by having the power of recalling me as the MP for C20.

“In other words, if that committee were to unanimously decide that I was not doing my job as an MP appropriately on behalf of the constituents, I commit to immediately putting myself up for a bi-election.

“I will not be looking for “yes men” for this committee. The members of such a committee need not even like me personally. The key qualification is that they are recognised as being absolute experts in their industry sectors and be the best qualified to represent the interests of the constituents of C20.

“For too long have we Bermudians had little or no say, other than a vote every five years or so, in how we are governed. I want to empower my constituents to be able to do so and believe that this is an appropriate place to start that journey,” concluded Mr Petty.

The 43-year-old has released his full platform which can be read here.

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Comments (14)

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  1. Chart says:

    Ummm, dude, your committee wouldn’t have the power to recall you. You see, we have this thing called the Constitution ….

    • George says:

      I think what he is proposing in that he would resign as the MP if the committee (his boss) decided he wasn’t doing his job which I believe is his prerogative and this would trigger a bi-election in his constituency! So slightly different from a Right of Recall being proposed by the OBA!

  2. Amazed says:

    Sounds very wishy washy to me. Under what legislation is the ability to do this found? Please enlighten us or are we just to take your word here?

  3. Pastor Syl says:

    It’s a page out of the OBA’s platform: the passing of legislation to enable the Right of Recall, where the constituents are not helpless in the 4-5 years between elections. If their elected Parliamentarian is not performing to standard, his constituents can require a recall.

    Great idea, Mr. Petty, except its legality will depend on the OBA getting in and passing the legislation.

    From my point of view, it was the promise of this legislation that was the first thing that attracted me to the BDA/OBA. I was REALLY tired of feeling helpless in the face of decisions made by the ruling party that I was convinced were not in the best interest of the country.

  4. David Petty says:

    As an elected MP I can choose to put myself up for bi-election whenever I like. As such I am publically committing to offer this option of recall to my constituents through a committee of experts should they vote unanimously to take me up on it. It is the only way this can be done without a constitutional change. It does exist in other countries and yes the OBA has proposed the constitutional reform, but I suspect I am the first parliamentary candidate in Bermuda history to offer this option to my constituents as a matter of public record.

    • Nitty Gritty says:

      Well then I am recalling you ahead of time so please head home now. Remember to vote for the party who can actually effect some change on Monday cause a vote for an Independent is a vote for who knows what?
      You have been an OBA supporter up to recently, now you dont support them so maybe you lean toward the PLP ? Who knows but I do know I am not wasting my vote when so much is at stake here.

      • Judge Dredd says:

        The only thing at stake here is your deeply ingrained god complex.

  5. James Tucker says:

    Hey Bie
    Don’t put the committee together before Monday – they might “recall” you before you even get started! (haha)
    Seriously, good luck – i’m not going to vote for you – i’m not in that constituency and I probably wouldn’t vote for you even if I was.
    I’m not against the notion of “independents”, and I suspect most of you are nice guys with good ideas – but Monday is going to be about the OBA and PLP – we desperately need change in this country and we need to be unified to make it happen.
    Vote OBA.

    • Who Done it says:

      unless you can’t vote OBA because you feel so loyal to the PLP but can’t vote for thme because of their record then by all means vote for an independant

  6. Webster says:

    Bernews,who is the candidate/or candidates in the O.B.A. that because of their government contracts might be ineligible to be candidates in the upcoming elections, please find out please.

  7. Cross+Roads says:

    First things first, get the PLP out !! Then and only then will I even consider AN Independent.

  8. Bullseye says:

    I find your attempt totally self-indulgent for you will not win.

    Call it what it is. You will not win. This exercise you are doing for your own gratification and that is wrong.

    It makes me sad.

    The country is not ready for independents and I wish it was but you are jumping the gun and overlooking a more pressing need. How about you help a govt that will be more conciliatory get in power and involve everyone before you simply try to make a point by yourself that will amount to little.