People’s Campaign December Public Evaluation

January 21, 2015

The People’s Campaign released their latest public evaluation for the month of December 2014, which covers topics including the Casino Gaming Act, America’s Cup, the behaviour of our elected officials, commercial immigration and more.

Casinos

Speaking on the passage of the Casino Gaming Act, the report said: “The People’s Campaign is disappointed that the OBA failed to keep the promise it made to the voters that gaming will be decided by way of a referendum. Standards of good governance require that elected officials, where appropriate, keep promises made to voters especially those promises that are made to garnish support during an election.

“The reasons given by Government for legalizing gaming without conducting a referendum is that gaming will bring much needed jobs to Bermudians. To ensure this, the People’s Campaign requests that all gaming permits and tax concessions for casinos be contingent on a minimum level of Bermudian employment. It is worthwhile noting that both the developers of the Morgan’s Point and the Desarrollos Group have already stated their interest in obtaining a gaming permit.”

America’s Cup

Saying that the People’s Campaign congratulates the Government for its successful bid to host the America’s Cup, the report noted their concerns saying “the Government has committed to paying up to $77m for the America’s Cup which is reportedly 3 times what San Francisco paid last year,” and the OBA has failed to explain how they derived at their estimation of $250m in projected America’s Cup revenues.

“Last year, San Francisco estimated to have received $300m in additional revenue from the America’s Cup, markedly below original estimates that were pegged at $900m. The Government of San Francisco ultimately reported a loss from the America’s Cup of approximately $3 million,” the report said.

The report added that the “People’s Campaign believes that allowing the American Cup teams to import trucks for this event will prevent our local trucking companies from benefitting from business opportunities.

“Independent truckers have experience a severe downturn in their sector as their primary clients – construction firms, retail companies & importers – have seen a slump in business.

“Granting these truckers access to economic opportunities is what good governance is about. In addition, It is unfair for our Government to require local truckers to pay import duties, permit fees and licensing fees while giving America’s Cup teams exemptions from these taxes.”

Politician’s Behaviour

Addressing the incident which saw the police called in to investigate an allegation of threatening behaviour at the House of Assembly , the report said: “The People’s Campaign repeats its call that those who have been elected to serve the people of Bermuda conduct themselves in a manner that is reflective of the responsibility bestowed on them by the people.

“This marks the second time that police have been called due to the misbehavior of our elected officials. These actions are impeding effective governing and cannot be ignored, condoned or repeated. The People’s Campaign not only demands better but also repeats its request for parliamentary reform to ensure that the people have the means to hold their representatives accountable for unparliamentarily conduct.”

Commercial Immigration

The report said, “It was revealed on the Government’s travel webpage that Minister Fahy attended a London summit on Commercial Immigration in October. The People’s Campaign demands that the Government be fully transparent on their intentions regarding the selling of status and/or or residency rights.

“Not informing the electorate until two months after the fact about Minister’s Fahy’s attendance at this summit is in violation of the standards set for a transparent Government. Not only is this is a highly contentious issue, it also has major global travel and security implications and, as such, it is imperative that the government engage the public.”

The People’s Campaign’s December 2014 Public Evaluation follows below [PDF here]:

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Comments (39)

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  1. Mockingjay says:

    We need another march and then Shut the Island down, I think Martin Luther King would’ve approved of this.

  2. Cleancut says:

    Public Evaluation of the People’s Campaign.

    Here’s my evaluation of the PC.

    The peoples campaign is a wing of the PLP ,totally politicaly biased, Run by (3) staunch PLP members.

    dispand, and join the ranks of the PLP.

    • Onion says:

      They need to stay separate because otherwise they won’t be able to make even the slightest criticism of the PLP.

      The PLP is a pretty splintered organisation at this point so it’s good to see people being willing to step out and speak out even if you don’t agree with what they say.

      • Build a Better Bermuda says:

        But they don’t speak out, they are a PLP umbrella, and anytime they do comment on the oppositions failing, it is often watered down to barely a casual observation. Is is because their entire purpose is to present a softened PLP view point as a supposed objective view. I have not seen one balanced an objective report from them yet, nor do I ever expect to as it is the PLP that pulls their strings

    • Ian says:

      Thats because you easily liken them to what the OBA did to “distinguish” themselves from the UBP… Isnt it? Be honest…

    • aceboy says:

      …whose leader is a work permit holder, taking a job from a Bermudian.

  3. Joonya says:

    We dont care what the PLP/BIU People say. Cant they keep this for their membership?!

  4. Sideliner says:

    “The People’s Campaign repeats its call that those who have been elected to serve the people of Bermuda conduct themselves in a manner that is reflective of the responsibility bestowed on them by the people.

    “This marks the second time that police have been called due to the misbehavior of our elected officials. These actions are impeding effective governing and cannot be ignored, condoned or repeated. The People’s Campaign not only demands better but also repeats its request for parliamentary reform to ensure that the people have the means to hold their representatives accountable for unparliamentarily conduct.”

    • Hmmm says:

      To react to a member of public in the gallery was quite disgusting. PLP ought to be ashamed.

  5. Sideliner says:

    Speaker of the House Issues a Warning
    Good Governance
    December 12th, 2014
    The Speaker of the House warned MPs regarding inap-propriate behavior in the House of Assembly.

    The People’s Campaign implores the Speaker of the House to fully enforce parlia-mentary rules regarding the conduct of MPs. The Speaker must take a strong stance against behavior that is in violation of either the Standing Orders of the Ministerial Code of Conduct. The Speaker has a vital role to play to ensure that the people’s best interests are protected.

  6. Hmmm says:

    Where is the evaluation of Team Hamilton ????????????????????????????
    Where is the evaluation of Marc Beans dispicable action and words.?????????????????????????????????

    • FACTS says:

      TEAM HAMILTON:

      “The People’s Campaign is alarmed that elected officials at the Corporation of Hamilton have refused to sign a new Code of Conduct pro-posed by the Government,” the evaluation added. “We encourage the two parties move quickly to resolve this issue keeping the people’s best interest in mind in the process.”

      BEAN’s WORDS:

      Good Governance
      Nov. 14th, 2014
      OBA engaged in a walk-out during the Opposition Leader Marc Bean’s delivery of the Reply to the Throne Speech to demonstrate their “outrage and disgust” alleging that MP Bean “accosted two female members of the party and subjected one in particular to a misogynistic, hate-filled attack…” on November 6th at the Sandys South bye-election advanced poll. The Bermuda Police Service is currently conducting an investigation into the incident.

      The People’s Campaign implores those that have been elected to serve the people of Bermuda to conduct themselves in a manner that is reflective of the responsibility bestowed on them as leaders and as agents of the people.

  7. Sky Pilot says:

    plp/biu/pc are all the same lot,take a good look and see for yourself.

    • kikiki says:

      by same lot im assuming you mean “the average poor Bermudian”and not the elitist one Bermuda alliance government that only seeks to continue their own business interest whilst allowing the rest of “the lot” to remain poor and relatively unrepresented in parliament?

      • Double D says:

        Who is unrepresented in Parliament?

      • hmmm says:

        Who is elitist ????????

        Define elitist for us and identify why you think each OBA MP is Elitist one by one for us.

    • Mockingjay says:

      @ Sky Pilot, just like ubp/oba/BTA/Bermuda employers council/RBYC/etc

      • Onion says:

        Recently the RBYC Commodore was a PLP candidate.

        • Triangle Drifter says:

          And a woman too. Now how about that!!!! Not too long ago the RBYC had a Commodore who happened to be black!!! Sheesh Mockingjay…What is this Island coming to?

        • Redman says:

          @ Mockingjay

          Better stop while you are still only being mildly mocked.

          BTW Onion owned you just then!

  8. Tank Rain says:

    I am a person, but would like NEVER to be included as part of the People’s Charade, errr Campaign.

    What a joke…

    • Mockingjay says:

      Well we hope you are a person, and because you disagree with people standing up for their rights is not in your best interest does not negate the fact that what Martin Luther King and others before and after him fought for will not be undermined.
      Fool.

      • hmmm says:

        What rights are you explicitly referring to ? Please identify so as not to confuse.

      • Tolerate says:

        I don’t believe the issue that Tank Rain has is with “People standing up for their rights”, that may be your spin on it and you are entitled to your own opinion. But if you can not see what and who this organization truly represents; than you are blind.
        I’m not even going to flog that horse, because NO matter what facts are bought on the true reasoning and representation of the PC; it certainly is not for ALL the People of Bermuda as their name suggest.
        Their “in your face” bias, towards ONE political Party is a good place for you to start. Check it out….
        IMO

        • FACTS says:

          Amazing the misrepresentation of the FACTS

          Have you read the Public Evaluation Newsletters? If you had, you would have seen many statements of support for the current govt on topics such as:-

          1. Workforce Development
          2. PATI
          3. Middle School Reform
          4. Implementation of the Travel Website
          5. Formation of the Tripartite Group
          6. Calls for collaboration
          7. Calls for better behavior for our elected officials

          In fact, you will note that Premier Dunkley has expressed his SUPPORT of the People’s Campaign:-

          Premier Dunkley, June 9th, 2014:-

          “The tremendous outpouring of public support for the People’s Campaign, with its theme of equality, jobs and justice, demonstrated issues that matter to the lives of people – and that needs must be met. My colleagues and I are committed to doing just that.

          My colleagues and I know Bermuda’s recovery is not happening fast enough for people who struggle each day. To them, I say: “Your fight is our fight. Everything we do is to help you support your families and build a future you can believe in.”

          June 29th, 2014:-

          “After extensively reviewing the document with my Cabinet colleagues, we ultimately agreed that there is no difference between the goals of equality, jobs and justice articulated in the Manifesto and those of the Government.

          “To address the situation and make possible the ideals we share, the Government adopted a two-track
          strategy to grow the economy and to curtail and control government spending. Our aim has been to
          rebuild the economic foundation and stabilize public finances in ways that restore confidence, opportunity
          and hope – generating tangible benefits to the people. Despite the challenges we face as a Country,
          we are confident that we are moving Bermuda in the right direction, towards economic recovery,
          thus expanding opportunity and full employment for Bermudians. We appreciate that recovery is not
          happening fast enough for those Bermudians who are still facing hardship.

          And I shared with the members
          of the People’s Campaign that this Government is pursuing priorities and applying available resources
          to bring relief to people as fast as possible.”

  9. Sandgrownan says:

    So, how long do we think they’ll be able to keep this up. Even the detractors are getting tired of the sport, fewer and fewer supporters (online at least)…willl the PC just get bored of itself, pack up and go home? It is pretty pathetic as it stands.

    • Mockingjay says:

      Online support dont hold water that just indicates that your group frequents and communicates that way.
      You were thinking the same way before we walked on Govt. House until you saw the response.
      But dont worry when the DRUMS start beating we wont need the internet to rally.

  10. Somerset Girl says:

    Who are the People’s campaign and why should I care as to what their report card looks like. Are these elected officials? Where was the People’s Campaign during the 14 year PLP reign? If they had issued a report card then maybe we would not be in this mess today.

    • FACTS says:

      Premier Dunkley has expressed his SUPPORT of the People’s Campaign:-

      Premier Dunkley, June 9th, 2014:-

      “The tremendous outpouring of public support for the People’s Campaign, with its theme of equality, jobs and justice, demonstrated issues that matter to the lives of people – and that needs must be met. My colleagues and I are committed to doing just that.

      My colleagues and I know Bermuda’s recovery is not happening fast enough for people who struggle each day. To them, I say: “Your fight is our fight. Everything we do is to help you support your families and build a future you can believe in.”

      June 29th, 2014:-

      “After extensively reviewing the document with my Cabinet colleagues, we ultimately agreed that there is no difference between the goals of equality, jobs and justice articulated in the Manifesto and those of the Government.”

      • Redman says:

        “… the goals of equality, jobs and justice articulated in the Manifesto and those of the Government.”

        Yes and Premiere Dunkley was being diplomatic in not stating the obvious that the PC’s main aim is a change of Government back to the PLP.

        I just wanted to clear up that Fact. :-)

  11. jt says:

    He’s not stupid.

  12. Charlly X says:

    Wow !!! SMDH !! Two Bermudas Definitely !! Always has been and will be !! That’s what I see from these comments !!!
    Until the philosophy that holds one race superior is finally discredited and abandoned there shall be WAR !!!
    On an island like this where black/white! rich n poor only live yards apart from each other and are Dependant on each other the behavior is disgusting!!!! All I have to say is ” look out when the sane go insane ” !!! Why can’t we work together so we all prosper? Tell me is there two heavens and two hells ? Dam shame !!

    • Hmmm says:

      There is no superior race,… Who said there was???

      • Mockingjay says:

        Historically, Economic and Social Status and undeserved privilage are you that blind or oblivious or both, but dont take it personal it’s a World Wide thing, but you probably wouldnt understand.