Video: Premier Cannonier On Independence
“Independence is not on our agenda list,” said Premier Craig Cannonier. “We know that Bermuda has spoken for some time now, we continue to look at the polls, Bermuda at this time is telling us that it is not ready to go towards Independence.
“Yes, we are happy where we are going as a new administration right now, but in the future Bermuda needs to continue to look at its options. Continue to look at where we stand economically as far as the world stage is concerned, there may be some opportunities for us to differentiate ourselves and continue to morph into something else.”
The Premier was speaking after British Prime Minister David Cameron asked senior representatives of overseas territories and crown dependencies – including Bermuda – to London on the eve of this month’s G8 summit meeting to sign an international agreement to share tax information.
The full interview with the Premier:
“Independence — and I am on record as saying this some time ago — Independence is only a natural result for any country who is a dependent territory.”
“To look at it, to look at the feasibility of whether going Independent is an option. At this time, we know it’s not an option for Bermuda, but that should not avoid us from looking at our options going forward.”
“Maybe 20 years down the road we may say that now is the time for us to do that. But that is a discussion we will continue to have as the people of Bermuda continue to look at where it is, and where we stand. It is a decision by all of us that we need to make collectively.
“Right now I don’t think there is an advantage to moving towards Independence at this particular time. The reason for going on this trip is to clarify where exactly we are headed, so we can make some decisions based on what the Prime Minister is attempting to accomplish here.
“But his efforts right now really is not really to be looking at us as an Independent Territory or for us to even be making that kind of a decision. He really wants to ensure that economically our efforts to be transparent are at the highest of standards.
“And we are basically saying we are at that point already, if you need clarification that we will come and tell you and give you that clarification on where we stand,” continued Premier Cannonier.
“Some people may feel this is maybe pressure towards moving us towards Independence, I don’t think that is the case at all.
“Based on the information I am getting from the other Overseas Territories and the Crown Dependencies. as well as from the administration at 10 Downing Street, that is not the direction they are saying they are looking for here.”
“There are a lot of politics involved here, and I recognize Prime Minister Cameron may be in some position between a rock and a hard place in what has been going on with other jurisdictions and the troubles with their transparency, but that certainly doesn’t apply to Bermuda.”
The Premier said the Government’s main goal is grow jobs and revenue, and that we can grow revenue by getting new businesses here.
“So we will defend our economic model every single day, all day, and that is what we are going to do in London,” concluded Premier Cannonier.
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i am just glad the oba is not even contemplating independence. just think, where in trouble and we have partners, imagine without. bermuda would go to the dogs, no wait we’re already there smdh
sad when they get to you and make you change your mind. you don’t belong to you, you belong to them
Your grammar is to the dogs!
thanks and I went to a private school, yikes
Funny!
um in yur corner Cannonier. Don’t worry about Cameron either. He’s full of hot air tryna make himself look like he’s in charge. Our track record speaks for itself and Uncle Bob will ensure the boys with the big sticks beat down the other countries that are true tax havens. BTW we are independant and have been for years….we ain’t asked UK for a penny, even pay and house their Govnah as long as he wears the silly white suit and feathered helmet on ocassion.
“Bermuda is telling us that it is not ready to go towards Independence.”
Readiness implies inability… Go towards implies the ability to return…
Bermudians have clearly stated that they see little benefit from Independence, other than some politicians with more hubris than sense!
All our work, our whole life is a matter of semantics, because words are the tools with which we work, the material out of which laws are made, out of which the Constitution was written. Everything depends on our understanding of them. – Felix Frankfurter
Mr Cannioner is appealing to his core base supporters of the OBA. He fears upsetting the Apple Cart. The reality is that Bermuda may have little choice in the long run. This is different time, and things have changed in the world. How long can Bermuda hang onto the coat tail of its Mother? Bermuda may have do what Mr Cameron is pushing for, and all the hot air might just blow back on Bermuda. I think the current economic times of the world tell us a different story. Lets see what happens in UK next week, and it will determine just how much power Bermuda has to control her own destiny.
Mr Cannioner has to worry about Mr.Cameron he can not ignore him, after all that is why he is jumping on jetgate to get to the meeting next week. If not he would have shown his strength to negotiate by not going there. The outcome of that meeting will tell the real story as we move forward.
Sorry my loyalist friends …If during the meeting Cameron attempts to tell Bermuda and its IB Sector what to do …. he may leave us no choice but to part ways…as friends of course but nevertheless we may have to cut ties with the UK ……
dreamer…the \uk is more than Cameron….he may be an idiot but far from a dictator….its the \uk dreamer, not cuba or china
Never mind Cameron, the people of Bermuda don’t want this, that’s what matters.
They don’t want to apply for a visa EVERY TIME they go to the US. That’s the reality – think we are different ? Think again.
Premier, respectfully, I recall your elocution during the election and it was quite good. Whoever you were working with in that regard, kindly bring them with you so Cameron has some chance of understanding what you have to say.
Bermuda will NEVER be Independent.
how many times do you dreamers need to be told until it gets into your thick skulls.
As discussed in virtually every media outlet in this country, and virtually every conversation I hear, independence actually should be called POLITICAL independence.
People have been hoodwinked into thinking political independence is the same thing as full independence. Look around and see other countries that are politically “independent” yet financially and, dare I say it, spiritually dependent.
The good news is, you need no one’s permission to pursue and secure independence in these other areas. And I would argue they are far more important.
And they would ideally precede political “independence”.
Stop accepting the empty words repeated over and over by the same media and talking heads and start to reason people.
We go Independent,we become a fourth world country.
No investment,corruption,no services,unemployment,massive increase in crime and thieving politicians.
Is that what you want?Go for it,but count me out!
Independence likely needs having to apply for visas for USA travel, and probably Canada and EU countries too. I’d rather not have the bother thank you or the sake of stroking a few political egos.
Also, can anybody imagine an independent Bermuda with an Ewart Brown type running things. It would be nothing less than a brutal, violent, corrupt, crony dictatorship that would never go away.
The only reason anyone would want to go independent is if they spite British heritage.
If you spite our British heritage you don’t deserve to live here or call yourself a Bermudian. You can get the hell off OUR island and go find your own.
How can you hate what made you, and hate the hand that feeds and protects you?
You free-loaders want to be “free from your master” but you want to still reap all the benefits of having him? CAN’T HAVE BOTH!
Every other nation in our situation who went independent due to the incompetence of its population, sent that nation into disarray and poverty of miserable proportions.
Anyone who is dumb enough to gamble the entire future and destiny of our island and our people and children is a complete nut who should be locked up for treason! You are trying to shake the nest out of the tree!
Or are you too stupid to realize this, or too stupid to care?