‘Independence: Now Or Never?’ On August 22

August 13, 2019

A forum titled “Independence For Bermuda: Now, Or Never?” will take place on Thursday, August 22 from 6.00pm to 8.00pm at the Dr. E Gordon Hall at the BIU Headquarters; and the panelists are scheduled to include Lloyd Williams, Ryan Robinson Perinchief, Alex Scott, Phil Perinchief, and Cordell Riley.

Independence For Bermuda Forum Aug 2019

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  1. David says:

    I wonder what those thousands of Onions who emigrated to the UK shortly after the exodus of expats have to say about all this? :)

    • puzzled says:

      Probably glad they did.

      Enjoy.

    • spittal pond Skink says:

      You all will need to come home and help sort out the mess that is our new Bda thanks to a clueless Government…
      Sit back and watch any one with money and brains get the hell out of Dodge.

      • TO: spittal pond Skink……The most clueless of all was the oba and U.B.P.
        Independence is a GREAT welcome.
        If you do not approve of the current government…..LEAVE!!!In the words of Mark Petingill!!
        GET OVER IT.
        HUMPH!!
        It will be a treat to end COLONIALISM here!!!
        Permanently.

        • Double S says:

          “If you do not approve of the current government…..LEAVE!!!”

          trump was recently called racist for saying the same thing. But we already know from your various posts you are a racist POS.

          I swear you guys seek to emulate him at every given opportunity (hate foreigners, hate gays, hate people that differ ideologically or physically), but have the nerve to preach against him. Very strange.

        • Pepe Le Pew says:

          da

          • Vortex says:

            Independence?

            1 Bermuda gets hundreds of UK based prisoners to deal with
            2 To go to the US you need a visa
            3 You lose your British passport
            4 Cheap UK university places go
            5 You have trade tarriffs and economic instability

            Why are we even debating this?

            • Navin Johnson says:

              To give the clowns having this conference something to do

            • overboardhope says:

              Don’t call on the UK after a big hurricane. All you get is a printed “T” shirt. Leaving is a large mistake. Onion

        • Mark says:

          Why,
          so the school system can produce more un-educated minions like you who can’t even type a coherent sentence?

        • Things a Gwan says:

          To Straightforward. You didn’t approve of the OBA yet you didn’t leave? However I trust you were very vocal about your opinions? What nobody else is permitted to have a say or disagree with you or the choices of your government?!

        • Bill says:

          2 Bermudas….. top priority list to fix-
          Lower cost of living
          Education
          Healthcare
          Business confidence
          Transportation
          Environmental issues
          Social issues

          I dont see how independance will change any of this.

        • kevin says:

          you couldn’t be more clueless if you tried …..this lame bunch of politicians who you call your government shouldn’t be left in charge of a garbage dumpster they and you will successfully send this island of ours to depths it has never seen before ….wont be long Starightforward your dollar will be worth that of the Jamaican dollar …then when you cant buy your big TV or new car or fly off the island you wont be smiling so much 25 -11 will get you exactly that 25 bda dollars for 1 US dollar and your house well that is now worthless …what a bunch of idiots we have in our country

        • Mike says:

          And watch our multi billion dollar debt (caused by the PLP) get called in overnight.

        • Rog says:

          @straightforward

          …that’s not the point of democracy.. the point of democracy is that when a govt is not doing what the people want, the can argue and debate and (if enough people disagree with them) then they can change the govt..

          ..it’s not that a govt can do as they wish and the people either accept or leave…. that’s entirely opposite to democracy.

          • Joe Bloggs says:

            “…that’s not the point of democracy.. the point of democracy is that when a govt is not doing what the people want, the can argue and debate and (if enough people disagree with them) then they can change the govt..“

            Tell that to the People’s Campaign!

  2. Navin Johnson says:

    Never

    • Things a Gwan says:

      Even if I thought thought Independence was a good idea. It’s NOT FREE! How do you propose to pay for it? With what money? Also why would anyone trust this government . Not the PLP but THIS specific group of politicians. They promised to improve education, improve the economy, improve transportation, create jobs and put more money in our pockets. How has that worke out for the average Bermudian so far!

      Schools closing for health and safety reasons …. others not having primary one due to lack of students. This means not trust in current system.

      How is the economy doing? One plus years of declining sales. How many new businesses opening versus closures? How many Fintech jobs created so far? They promised to LOWER Healthcare out EVERYONES healthcare has gone way up! Your healthcare fix was to add a sugar tax twice! but you didn’t lower duty on healthy foods!

      I just got my land tax today and that has gone way up at a time when my family is trying to hold it together.

      So forgive me if I don’t trust that the PLP can lead this country out of economic downturn and lead it into Independence.

      By the way if you still think it’s a good idea and we can borrow the money watch the documentary called Life and Debt. Its about Jamaica and it’s transition from a prosperous country to poverty.

      I never say never but certainly not now.

      • Mark says:

        Spot on, but as you know all those points are the UBP / OBA / codfishes fault.

  3. truthertz says:

    What a one sided panel. This is just as a big of a joke as the PLP’s 2005 Independence paper.

    • Pepe Le Pew says:

      no opposing views there. welcome to communism everyone you will all be told what to do when and how.FFF can’t run what we have now

      • Black Panther says:

        Truthhertz & Pep Le Pew,
        Surely if you wish an opposing view to be discussed publicly
        on the issue of Independence then the both of you can do what this group
        has done and organize your own forum to do exactly that.

  4. Seascape says:

    We are having major issues and we are not independent, I would hate to see what will happen if there is independence. It will be like other countries that are living in poor conditions.

  5. I vote says:

    Not now.

    The country’s financial position is tenuous. The current cadre of politician are not capable of understanding the problems let alone coming up with professional and solid solutions. Their ability to actually govern effectively and fairly is not evident.

    We are just not ready at this point.

  6. Worried Local says:

    We all knew the talk of independence would return while this party were in power. Go away you dreamers.

  7. Colonialism is BAD
    Independence…..YES!!!!

    • Kevin says:

      as stated earlier you are just as clueless as those you voted for …but then that makes total sense
      Blind leading the Blind
      you are more BACKWARD than Straight forward

    • Joe Bloggs says:

      Straightforward,

      Why is being a colony bad? What detriment do we suffer?

      Why is independence good? How will we pay for or UN Ambassador or our Ambassadors in Washington, Ottawa, London, Brussels, Kingston, Lagos and other places?

  8. Boston Whaler Owner says:

    Just another excuse for the plp to sit and flap their gums,
    it’s NEVER going to happen and they know that.

  9. Spilt milk says:

    Foolish at best to go independent now. Bermudians wont own anything in their own country after the Ascendant sale goes through… Canada already owns the airport , hospital, most of the grocery stores and 1 bank… what are we going independent from? Being Bermudian?

  10. Burrows says:

    President Ewart Brown. That sounds good to me. If the naysayers want keep us captive it will only prling the inevitable. let’s get the ball moving and finish what Sir John started,

  11. Fisherman says:

    Thus all the hidden taxes. Why must we pay for tax on fuel when taxes have already been paid, the Regulatory Commission has charges for us and then Post Office. Yup, those of you who voted for PLP should think hard about the next election.

  12. Joe Bloggs says:

    Why “Now or Never”? Why not “Now or wait and see in a while”?

    The forum title tends to suggest to people that if they do not vote for independence now their vote could be lost forever. That is not the case. The majority of people voted no to independence in 1995 and now, 24 years later, the matter is up for discussion again. It could just as easily be up for discussion in another 5 or 10 or 15 or 20 or 24 years, when Bermuda is more economically and politically stable.

    Going independent cannot be reversed. Nothing is lost by waiting to see what happens with the world economy and the Bermuda economy.

    • PBanks says:

      It is kind of a leading question, agreed. I think it’s also deliberate and meant to promote a pro-independence outlook from go. We’ll see what happens here, although in reality they merely have to convince the ruling party to seek it in their mandate and bam.

      • Joe Bloggs says:

        My recollection is that independence has been on the PLP manifesto for decades. I don’t think that to “convince the ruling party “ will be difficult.

        • PBanks says:

          I think it’s about convincing the ruling party to push for it at the next election cycle. I think Independence is the only real deal-breaker for many PLP supporters and as long as there’s a slim chance of that 25-11 turning into a loss, the PLP will hold off on independence. Riley’s committee will be hoping to get significant PLP members/supporters on the Independence train.

          • Joe Bloggs says:

            I defer to your political assessment, not being politically active myself.

  13. Spilt milk says:

    It would be foolish at best to go independent now. Bermudians will own next to nothing once the Ascendent sale goes through. Hospital, airport, grocery stores and 1 bank are already Canadian owned. What will we be independent from? Being Bermudian?

  14. ROGER LAMBERT says:

    GLAD this independence topic is going public with meetings again. Did Every country out there that went independent have no issues before going to that position? Were the protestors all from that country? Will those against independence or against the panel’s makeup or against the PLP government come to the meetings or negatively protest from their pen name? Or will they give constructive criticism at the meetings or from another public position?

    • Change the Venue to a more Neutral Place says:

      and you will see more participation.

      It appears Biased off the start.

    • Joe Bloggs says:

      The last time I went to a PLP town hall meeting and asked a question I was threatened and told to leave

    • Bill says:

      2 Bermudas….. top priority list to fix-
      Lower cost of living
      Education
      Healthcare
      Business confidence
      Transportation
      Environmental issues
      Social issues

      I dont see how independance will change any of this.

    • 2woke says:

      I’d suggest shutting down the HOA every time the government tries to debate it…just like the some others would do.

    • Double S says:

      “Or will they give constructive criticism at the meetings or from another public position?”

      Where were those same calls when you and your team sought to shut down any initiative put forward by the previous Government?

      You PLPers are just sick hypocrites. Period.

  15. Potato juice says:

    Airbitrade will fund us.
    I mean China will be the only ones to bail us out the rate were going.

    • Ringmaster says:

      China won’t help, we have nothing they want. The same for everyone else. As Joe Bloggs said above in a previous post, “Now or Never” is a stupid and foolish headline for the cession. It won’t be now, so why continue the idea going forward? The panel named is so one sided it is merely a propaganda exercise, not a well thought out cession setting out the benefits and negatives.
      It’s just another of the silly season sound bites that emerge every August when there’s nothing else.

  16. Retro says:

    Cmon PLP ! If you want independence own it .stop using thinly veiled cutout groups. Grow a pair !

  17. I will keep it brief and not get caught up in all the hype or the legistics of it all,Bermuda is not ready for Independence, not now or anytime soon, this Governmant an dthe former Government have hell to take care of our Citizens and let any and everything that is foreign govern our affairs, so tell me what do we have to bank on or stand on as an Independent Country, It is a Joke.

    We have given half the country to Canadians, Airport/Belco and God knows how much else is in the hands of non Bermudians.

    • Joe Bloggs says:

      “We have given half the country to Canadians, Airport/Belco and God knows how much else is in the hands of non Bermudians.“

      Not “given”, Duane, we have sold it. And everyone has been doing it. The PLP Government did it with the new hospital building, the OBA Government did it with the new airport building and now private citizens are doing the same with Belco.

      Selling off Bermuda seems to be one thing everyone agrees on.

  18. BermudaRat says:

    Right PJ. Surprised on mention here about a Chinese gargantum development of 2,000 acres on Antigua’s north east coast which is causing dismay to many locals there.
    The Grand Bahama port project is a prime example of Beijing’s push into the Caribbean.

  19. Peso Pete says:

    oh we will all be so well off and free to travel and influence the world with our brilliance, our dollar or i guess bitcoin will be worse than the Zimbabwe currency a billion bit shi$$ to the penny. especially when the banks call in the 2 billion debt PLUS interest, can ya see more taxes on the taxed. Dr still calling the shots i see

  20. steve says:

    Judging by the panelists, this is not a discussion or debate…its a pep rally!

  21. LaVerne Furbert says:

    If anyone who has posted here and is against independence and would like to be a panelist, please contact me at lfurbert@biu.bm. We would be happy to include you on the panel.

    • Joe Bloggs says:

      Thank you Ms Furbert, but I’ve already been threatened and told to leave a town hall meeting for asking unpopular questions. I do not need to learn that lesson again.

    • get real says:

      as odd man out,, to be shouted down at a free speech venue?

      • Ringmaster says:

        Get Real is correct, we saw what happens when the OBA tried to have an open forum only to be closed down by rent a a mob. The same thing would happen here. Any way a contrary view is not needed. The headline “Now or Never” has set the tone. It won’t be now so won’t be ever. Shows the stupidity of the panel.

      • Rog says:

        ..to be fair though “get real”, one can’t complain they aren’t included and then complain when they are invited.

        Most know the anti-independence panellist would be the unpopular one, but at least they’d be showing up and trying.

        • Joe Bloggs says:

          But no “anti-independence panellist” has been invited!

    • lav says:

      “We would be happy to include you on the panel.”

      No you wouldn’t…we know who you are! LOL

    • Mark says:

      Didn’t know she was still trolling. Welcome back. Are you offering safe passage and nibbles after the event??

  22. cpm says:

    If the panel was of across the board Bermudians and in a neutral venue then people would attend and give their views
    It is slanted to give the requisite headline that a number of Bermudians favour independance
    IB is watching

  23. Onion Fist says:

    I would like to know what knowledge this panel has on anything to do with independence let alone what the cost would be and not only in $$$$dollars and cents. This farce is going to be a comedy show!!

  24. Mb says:

    never
    If the island actually had anything to offer but tourism and IB I might be in
    Favour
    But unlike all those in Caribbean who have gone Ind we have nothing to support our economy except two pillars that rely on UK pretty much so what is the point?
    At what cost is national pride, Scott and Riley’s egos and the mental break with the mother country? Too high if you ask me

  25. Ticket to Ride says:

    You lot are so so so un prepared nor capable of this especially with the toxic environment that the current govt spews forth on a daily basis. It will be impossible to have a civil debate on the issue even when there are pros but likewise cons to this. It may sound so grand but

  26. Hair says:

    Does the PLP people realize that England won’t take their sorry A$$’s if Bermuda goes independent, Duh!!!!

  27. Rocky5 says:

    Just PLP resentful, diversionary tactic cuz PLP have no clue on how to lead Bermuda into a period of economic, social, educational & environmental & population growth. PLP are ALL about dividing people along, economic, social, racial, political, sexual-orientational & religious grounds

  28. Moses says:

    Anyone who wants independence is a mutinous anarchist. Bermuda was discovered and settled and founded by british people, and funded and supported by Britain. We are a colony, because we were settlers. This is not the same as colonialization. That is where people invade an inhabited country and subject its inhabitants. This was not the case with Bermuda. Britain supports us right now. The PLP helped ruin our country with the 5 billion debt, and they want to go independant? Nobody in Bermuda, no true Bermudian proud of their heritage would want such a mutinous thing, that would only bring sure destruction to our economy and lives. Our island would be run by tyrants with a chip on their shoulder, free to pass laws as they see and ruin our lives.

    • Toodle-oo says:

      And yet people who think they’re educated still incorrectly use the term ‘colonized’ instead of ‘settled’ .
      And don’t get me started on all the other (huge) errors and misquotes they pass off as fact.

  29. Enough says:

    NEVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  30. Mrs. Brady says:

    The PLP will not take us to independence. Even they aren’t that stupid. It will be an excellent way of creating further division and securing their base voter – uneducated, easily lead, sheep like. This happens the world over – not just Bermuda. Think of Trump voters – same deal pretty much.

  31. Heather says:

    Look what happened to Jamaica!!! Bermuda is blessed !

    • CHRIS says:

      Exactly. Look at the diff between Jamaica and Cayman!

  32. Rog says:

    ..but you have to look at it through another lens.

    Many people romanticise the island lifestyle of Jamaica..the apparently simplicity.. apparent community living.. etc.. . and those who currently live under or close to the poverty line don’t give a toss about how wealthy the island is or how well it’s doing on the world stage… they care about how they can either improve their lives or at least level out the playing field.

    I totally disagree with independence for Bermuda, but saying “look at Jamaica” misses the whole point because they ARE looking at Jamaica and they’re liking what they see.