Dunkley Explains Decision To Run For Deputy
Senator Michael Dunkley – who had been widely speculated as a potential OBA Leadership candidate – has explained why he declined to run for leader, instead submitting his name for consideration for Deputy Leader of the One Bermuda Alliance.
Senator Dunkley cited his commitment to serving the people of Smith’s North and said, “It’s vital that the OBA show the right balance between a face of change and also the experience that the island is looking for. We cannot take our eyes off the ball and risk compromising the public trust we’ve all worked too hard to regain and will need in the days ahead.”
The OBA announced their leadership candidates this morning – Senator Craig Cannonier and MP Bob Richards will vy for the leader position, and MP Trevor Moniz will seek the Deputy Leader position along with Senator Dunkley.
Senator Dunkley’s full statement follows below:
To my colleagues and friends,
Since I consulted many of you over the last few weeks and have always valued your guidance and support, I thought it appropriate to explain why I have submitted my name for Deputy Leader of the One Bermuda Alliance.
This was not an easy decision but I believe I have made the best choice.
While there were many factors that crossed my mind, there was only one goal in my heart – to do what is right for Bermuda and our party and do everything in my power to best position us to win the next election, so together, we can make the change this island so desperately needs.
You all know that I am not someone who is afraid to take on a tough fight or to make the tough decision.
In 2005 when I was asked to run in Smith’s North C 10 I took on that challenge knowing that it would be a tremendous uphill battle to build relationships in a PLP stronghold and gain enough support to win the seat.
I made the commitment to the people of Smith’s North knowing that they had not been well served by the current MP, but in order for me to serve them better it could take some time to build the relationship, the bond of trust and respect, which would allow us work together in solving their challenges.
The work in C 10 was not complete in Dec of 2007 and as you all know I have continued to canvass that area since the loss with measurable gains being made every day.
Now is not the time to walk away from that commitment to serving the people of Smith’s North. As convincing as some of your arguments to put my name forward for Leader were, I feel strongly that now is the time to finish that job.
This was the overriding fact in making the decision.
Also on my list of considerations as I went through this process was the fact that after Sept 10th, it’s vital that the OBA show the right balance between a face of change and also the experience that the island is looking for.
We cannot take our eyes off the ball and risk compromising the public trust we’ve all worked too hard to regain and will need in the days ahead.
That’s why I want to assure all of you who have stood by me through this decision that you can continue to be confident that if I am elected Deputy Leader you can count on my very best in working hard to ensure that the OBA secures the victory that will restore confidence and prosperity in Bermuda’s future.
The people of Smith’s North and the people of Bermuda deserve our very best and I intend to devote all my energy towards the work we require to put Bermuda first.
M.H. Dunkley
Putting Bermuda and Bermudians first. Bernews needs a like button
The reason Mikey is not angry is because he has brokered the deal of his life time.
Deal is: broundaries changes has awarded Mickey a safe seat. if the oba ran ewart there, it would still be an oba seat. Also, trust me, he will challenge craig election night if the oba manages to fool people that they have changed
OBA’s not trying to fool anyone. Doesn’t matter if they’ve changed. Anything is better than what we’ve got.
The repackaged Ewart Brown Party. Same old same old. He’s still pulling the strings, init.
“It’s vital that the OBA show the right balance between a face of change and also the experience that the island is looking for. We cannot take our eyes off the ball and risk compromising the public trust we’ve all worked too hard to regain and will need in the days ahead.”
Exccellent PR – read: I decided that my future success is better suited to me supporting Cannonier at this time. I have lots of time to become OBA leader and potentially Premier in the future.
“Now is not the time to walk away from that commitment to serving the people of Smith’s North. As convincing as some of your arguments to put my name forward for Leader were, I feel strongly that now is the time to finish that job.”
Now this is laying it on rally thick!! Does anyone honestly believe that Dunkley would willingly give up the opportunity for the ‘safe seat’ in deference to his desire to serve the people of Smiths?’
Notwithstanding my comments, I must commend Dunkley for such a shrewd move. It is often said that ‘the race is not for the swift’. As Dunkley has said (in his coded message), Cannonier brings a new face but he has the experience. It may take a little longer to win the prize but once Dunkley wins it, it is his! I trust that his ultimate desire for the top post does not cause him to make inadvertent mistakles as he plots his course. We all know too well the rumours about his involvement in previous attempts to become party leader or thwart the aspirations of others.
It is also interesting to note that Dunkley is poised to become leader of a party that he joined for political expediency as opposed to fundamental philosophy.
@ Vote for Me,
Paul Joseph Goebbels truly inspired you—-right?
re Goebbels – I see this is a recurring theme to your responses. Please take some time to critique my posts.
I do, but cannot resist commenting on your skill—-a true professional at work!
@Vote For Me….You are sure correct, and have stated it so well. Dunkley has made a shrewd move, he also is hungry for the leadership position. But, he is willing to let Cannonier take on the position to gain possible success, so he is able to move into the position. But, he also knows that they must appeal to “Black Middle Class Voter”. With out the Black Middle Class vote, victory is far away !!
You hit the nail on the head. Dunkley is a smart man and has made the right move. Political chess is at hand. This is all going to be very interesting.
Hogwash!!! The POULBBPAP are ALL the same!!! Please don’t be fooled, wake up and “Know Thyself”!!!
Say what you like, but Bermuda’s economy is shot, education is a joke, violent gun crime is up, black Bermudians are still disproportionately represented in blue collar/labour jobs, and so on and so forth. All of this… under the precious PLP non-leadership!
I agree with you… I voted for the PLP the last few elections and I refuse to vote for the them ever again…especially with the COG at the helm…they have squandered millions of dollars to the benefit of a few of them, check their offshore accounts and those so called Trust structures that some of them have established…still waiting for the COG to tell me how can a multi-million $ contract with million in over runs for the new Court/Police building in which 30% of the contract is awarded to a Trust….wonder who the beneficiaries are…those folks lined their pockets with tax payer’s money and laughed at us all the way to the Bank. Look at TCD, the dock in Dockyard…Port Royal ($16M to move dirt), hospital management group, advertising agency with payments made without adequate supporting documentation. All under the COG.. The COG says it will never happen again and prefers to sweep it under the rug…well she let it happen under her watch and you expect me to vote for the PLP again and she is at the Helm….never in a million years…how quickly we forget all this…not me…
I agree with you pebblebeach… the cog has a lot to answer to….she said it will never happen again !!!! why the hell did she allow it to happen in the first place ? think about it the P.L.P.do not have a clue how to run this Island …and the O.B.A. who are fighting amongst themselves as to who should be their leader…..they want the black vote…so they decide that they should run !! Bob,and Craig to be the leader of the O.B.A. (TWO BLACKS ) and the two wannabees for deputy leader are two White guys..Dunkley and Moniz !!!!!!!!!! when we grow up and stop thinking black or white ?and elect the best person for the job ?not by the colour of his skin….enough is enough ….
Seems like the blind leading the guide dog. I would not vote for bob Richards and Craig just not have what it takes. Again Dunkley trying to be viewed as the martyr. Don’t buy this bull crap.
Don’t be fooled!? You mean like how the PLP has been playing us for the past few years?
Yah right.
Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me.
… they’ll never get another vote from me …
The real story here is that Smith’s North has been abandoned by the Incumbent Member of Parliament.
Why would the Incumbent MP not even want to put in the required work to retain the Constituency?
To me that smacks of not being bothered, which means if you cant be bothered with or dont want the primary role of an MP which is Constituent representation and dialogue, why would you even bother being an MP? The salary, status, perks and trips perhaps?
would he get a full MPs pension for one term? I hope not.
Vote For Me……..Spot on the money.
What are you going to do with all that money/ies when you leave…………………..
Maybe the fast Ferries could help out in the exodis…….
Spin spin spin………………
The spool will be empty. Matters not too you.
I would vote for a dog turd if it meant we could get rid of the ignorant fools currently inpower. In fact the dog turd would probably do a better job.
The PLP clearly don’t have a single brain between them. Total idiots is what they are.
VOTE THEM OUT. VOTE ANYONE ELSE IN WHO RUNS. PLP MUST BE STOPPED BEFORE THEY SINK US ALL WITH THEIR STUPID IDIOTIC RUINOUS DECISIONS.
ENOUGH ALREADY!
I was just telling someone this morning that I’d vote for that little orange monkey at the aquarium before putting this group in for another term!
Very well said as a young Bermudian I can only hope that the change is coming and coming soon!!
I would like to thank Mr. Dunkley for his constant presence in C10. Im not even sure if the PLP have a presence there(joking). But really if he loses its totally unfair and reinforces the fact that this islands politics are dictated by race and not the right candidate. The PLP have had NO presence/visibility in C10 and should be ashamed of themselves. Keep it up Mr. Dunkley, hopefully your hard work pays off so C10 can have the representation we truly need.
Skim milk in a blue box .
The “Political strategy” is to run “Sen. Craig” as the leader of the OBA/UPB, as it is assumed he is capable of gaining votes from the “Black Squeezed Middle Class swing Voter”. Also he does not carry the baggage of the OLD UPB. The OBA/UBP needs these votes to gain victory in the next election. As whites are not swing voters and always vote in one direction. Blacks do swing their votes. Mr. Dunkley would not appeal to the voters as he is seemed as part of the OLd UBP Gang. If Craig is successful and can secure victory for the UBP/OBA, Dunkley will than fight for the position of leader of the “Repackaged Opposition”. Dunkley wants the leadership position, but he wants his party to win first. IT is a clear political strategy that is easy to figure out… Mr. Dunkley is not been totally honest in his quest for victory of the OBA. This is politics at all cost to win. Same party, same players, and same game !! Please do not be fooled !!!
Same strategy as the PLP in 2003 and 2007 then. Remember the PLP said they had to deceive us. Oh and I was a swing vote and in the past I have voted for both parties. Now more than ever instead of being fool by special and all other PR hacks which by the way seems to have the same one sided PLP arguments as to why people should not vote for the opposition noted by the unilateral and similar arguments posted people vote for the person who does the most and is the better candidate and who will tackle the issues. Special if throwing mud rather than putting your party’s stance and performance on the issues in Bermuda is all you can do then your posts are pointless PR for PR purposes.
LOL
@ LOL(original)
But this is not the case, persons do not vote based upon individuals that are the better candidate. Observation of past election data and candidates for various parties suggest other wise. It would be good if this was the case, but it is not. However, “Blacks” do tend to vote on based upon the issues and the best candidate, more so than whites. This is why Blacks are more likely to be swing voters. Review of election data supports this fact. So if one examine election data and voting patterns, they do not have to be fooled by any one, The Data speaks for its self. ….
Mr. Dunkley over the years has been a constant and consistent voice in how he would like to improve Bda and for a lot of years us as Bermudians did not give him our full support. We go back 10years and further as to why we should not vote for him we need to move forward and elect someone like this in Bda. In fact we should be lucky he cares so much he could just retreat with all his money and businesses and we would never hear from him again.
In these times we need a real leader and Bermudians need to start appreciating him and stop making old excuses as to why you should not elect him.Its a new day and we need to move FORWARD.
When is the next election? Because I am ready to VOTE! Mr. Dunkely will 100% clean up the violence and i guarantee you would never hear another gunshot again.
I have always liked him and I have never heard Mr. Dunkkley say anything stupid on the radio,news that I can recall.
I COMPLETELY AGREE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! People need to give him a chance!! he has shown more heart for this country that ANY OTHER!!!!!!!!
@ Bermudian – all of waht you post would have more validity if Dunkley had stayed with the UBP, become leader of the party and then ran in the next election. His stance on leaving the UBP but only after it was clear that they could not win without the BDA (to form the OBA) demonstrates that there is an extreme element of political opportunism in his actions.
WAKE-UP PEOPLE WHO’S PLAYING THE RACE CARD NOW? REMEMBER WHAT JIM WOOLDRIGE SAID IN HIS BOOK,THEY WILL PUT A BLACK FACE OUT FRONT, AS LONG AS THEY CAN PULL THE STRINGS IN THE BACKGROUND, ASK,WAYNE FURBURT,GWEN RAWLINGS,JAMAL SIMMONS,MAX BURGESS,AND OF COURSE POOR KIM SWAN.UBP/BDA.(LIPSTICK ON A PIG,IS STILL A PIG) AS FOR DUNKLEY, IF HE REALLY WANTS TO HELP THE PEOPLE OF THIS COUNTRY, HE CAN LOWER THE PRICE OF MILK.
AFTER ALL HE DOES HAVE THE MONOPOLY,IN FACT WHILE HE’S KNOCKING ON DOORS IN C10,HE’S STILL MAKING MONEY,THAT’S WHAT RICH PEOPLE LIKE HIM DO, MAKE MONEY ON THE BACKS OF WORKING STIFFS, AND STRIVE FOR POWER.
Please Ms Richardson – stop shouting in upper case. You of course are entitled to your opinion, although how is it that you can interpret this as pulling the race card? Nevertheless, if you are happy with your lot in life, and believe in your heart that the PLP is doing the right thing to allow you to succeed (however you wish to interpret what “succeed” means), then go ahead and tick the box to vote them back in. For many others however, the OBA presents a viable alternative to what exists today. Mr. Dunkley backign away from the leadership position puts the country first – it stops you and others from saying that it is a new vs old ‘war’ within the party – it allows a true ‘new beginning”, but you and other PLP die-hards don’t know what to do with his selfless actions other than cry foul.
That’s right shirley Richardson, and the race card will always be played by putting a black face in front, it has been going on for years, why? well it’s for small minded people like yourself. People like yourself will always feel uncomfortable with a white person in CHARGE, just another JOKE for the white population of this country.
“THAT’S WHAT RICH PEOPLE LIKE HIM DO, MAKE MONEY ON THE BACKS OF WORKING STIFFS”
You mean PROVIDE JOBS, right? For stiffs like you.
P.S. Stop YELLING will ya!
sad…still singing the same old song..any PLP MP do anything for the poor people of this country? oh I forgot…out of their own pocket I mean…..
I support the PLP and have to laugh at the comments above, Michael Dunkley owns a milk factory and has a monopoly. Are their laws in Bermuda which prohibit anyone from also establishing a similar business to seell milk.
This culture of personal attacks must really stop, if a Black PLP politician has a monopoly on a product, or particular type of government contract, like technology or IT services to government departments, would that also be a case of the rich getting richer and also wanting power also.
This black/white logic is boring and doesnt reflect the reality of modern bermuda, yes there is racism and although we work together we dont play together which reinforces the social divide, but that aside, the reality is that the current members of Cabinet are clearly under performing in their respective portfolios, thats a fact, not rhetoric.
Which two people (only 2 with no entourage) would you rather send to represent Bermuda to negotiate with the OECD, Insurance Executives in London, or Tourism Investors in China, you pick:
- Laverne Furbert
- Cromwell Shakir
- Michael Dunkley
- Derrick Burgess
- Paula Cox
Remember, dont cheat, you can only pick two from the list above to represent Bermuda’s interests and the jobs and investment you hope will flow from this business and key negotiating trip overseas.
Stop the silly race rhetoric, there is no reason why our House of Assembly should not have 34 more of the strongest people (like the 2 above) to represent the islands interests and future prosperity.
If Laverne starts selling coffee rolls at the BIU to all the workers, is that racism? you people should stop being pawns and think about the next generation who are under 5 years old, what are they going to inherit?
Totally agree with you here Plain English.
Politics should not be about race but the strongest people to lead our country.
Can I be contraversial on the list though please
I’d send Dunkley and Cox !!! Oh my what a concept, politicians from opposing parties working together!!
ditto
Plain, what laws are you talking about or are you making a statement. There are no laws prohibiting you or any other person selling milk that I am aware of so sell milk if you can.
LOL
I do believe we had other milk suppliers at one point…one being the Bermuda Creamery and then the Marketplace had their own milk…..so plain he must be doing something right as those others no longer supply our island JS!
How did these persons make your short list?
@ Plain English, You make a few valid points that I do agree with. But there are some fundamental and cultural challenges that Blacks persons are often faced with, which have long-term impact upon how they react to certain situations- this cannot be quickly dismissed. For example, the opportunities afforded to whites to establish business, was not always afforded to blacks. Many whites are born of privilege. In some cases when blacks did accomplish a business via honest and hard work they are were often perceived as not having accomplished it in a fair and honest manner. This is why the comments regarding Black ownership of business is often not respected by some. Blacks often have to fight twice as hard to reach that level of achievement and success. These issues still need to be addressed within our community.
For example many of the attacks made about this government to promote black ownership, has not always been seen as favorable by some. In cases where Black PLP politician has a monopoly on a product, or particular type of government contract, like technology or IT services to government departments, it has not been respected in a fair manner. Often they are accused of doing something sinister. Yet, this was done very much under the UBP government. So as a result some blacks would find it difficult to respect individuals that are born of privilege and do nothing to promote more of an equal share of the pie. There is historical basis for much of this thinking that is still at work today.
Often many do not address the issues directly, but rather take joy in attacking the individual suggest that their argument on the issue is weak, and they really do not have much to contribute to the debate. “Name calling” is their way to avoid real discussion on the issues. It is sad, and yes very unfortunate. We in Bermuda also have racial issues that must be addressed, we cannot keep sweeping them under the carpet as if they do not exist, as the “elephant is still in the room”. I am hoping that he level of debate will rise.
What kind of list is this? I raised the question a few weeks back with Bob Richards and Michael Dunkley as leader and deputy compared to the current leader and deputy Paula Cox and Derrick Burgess? what a silly list…Laverne is an embarrassment and I have no idea who Cromwell Shakir is…Mr. Burgess cannot string two intelligent sentences together and can barely read his own speeches….but it is fun to speculate…Mr. Burgess in China would be worth televising…the Chinese would be looking up um-um in the English dictionary…
Much has been said about Dunkley’s “monopoly” regarding the milk market. If people took the time to find out the facts, they will know that there is nothing to stop anyone from competing with him.
@ Rockfish,
The persons made my shortlist for a few reasons:
1) Including Mr Dunkley, all the persons listed currently have responsibility or are tasked with making a contribution to our national process of governance.
2) These names are also selected because it is important to start thinking about whether or not the 5 names listed above have the required skill set to lead Bermuda into the period 2012 – 2020
3) You know why they made the shortlist, so stop being more provocative than I am trying to be
Thank you for at least being willing to think about the point I was trying to make, we must only elect people who can represent all of Bermuda (e.g. if 10 MPs go on a trip as they did recently to __ and there is a catastrophic accident, causing loss of life, do the remaining 26 MPs have the depth to keep our country and systems going until by-elections can be held to fill the unfortunate vacancies created).
Come on Bermuda, even our Premier keeps telling us we are #3 Global REinsurance Mecca etc etc etc, plenty TIEAs, yet look at who represents us (all of us – black and white) in the House of Assembly.
The next Election is as relevant to all of Bermuda, as the Theatre Boycott was for Black Bermudians, its time for the public to Re-Set the Dial on the lacklustre leadership that both political parties continue to force down our throats, why arent we seeing names of people from our IB sector (yes Bermudians work there too) and many could successfully run the key ministries on a part time basis of 6 hours per week on a salary of BMD$85,000 instead of the full time BMD$168,000+ with their limited results or effectiveness of what we are currently having to look at and tolerate.
Dont let me even start on the Permanent Secretaries, who are masters of process, we are not even willing to inject the Civil Service with bright bermudians who have corporate experience.
Shame on us for being complacent and allowing the PLP and OBA to slip into irrelevance with weak Candidates and MPs, Shame on us Bermuda.
And you guys are worried about the money Dunkley invested to build a milk factory and develop a market and supply chain to the islands grocery stores. I’m not fond of Dunkley, but his milk business is successful, just maybe he could help run a small segment of our economy, just as his C#10 rival Minister Minors is doing…………………by the way where is the Tourism Master Plan?
Also where is Tony Brannon, hiding under Hawkins Island?
Wow
With Mr.Dunkley on board the OBA will not win already the public at large does not like him ,Bob Richards also
Has anyone at the OBA done their homework ?
Also the way they dumped Mr Kim Swan will haunt them big time,
Bet any money on it!
Take your pick for Leader and Deputy
1 Cannonier / Dunkley
2 Cannonier / Moniz
3 Richards / Dunkley
4 Richards / Moniz
Of these combinations, which one would really be best for Bermuda? Which one would be best for OBA? Which one would win the next election? Interestingly, I do not think there is one answer for all 3 questions.
NONE OF THE ABOVE, They are all imposters.
great read is their bios, i have copied it so if they change it i will know.
they all try to hide from the truth and most don’t mention they were elected under the UBP including DUNKLEY, Pettingill, HUNTE, Crockwell, Patricia Gordon Pamplin, poor Louise forgot to even put her bio on the page.
Will someone somewhere in our $6 Billion GDP miracle admit the current crop of PLP and OBA candidates add no value, the new lady Dr Michelmore seems to be the only person who comes to this as new, without a history in politics and experienced enough to run her area, healthcare. Please Bermuda wise up and demand better representation ahead of the elections
i’M NOT SUPRISED AT ALL, TO THE RESPONSE TO MY POST.IF FACT IT’S QUITE INTERESTING THAT WHEN LYNN WHITFIELD, A WHITE WOMAN TALK ABOUT THE PAST, AND PRESENT HISTORY OF RACISM, IN THIS COUNTRY THE SILENCE IS DEAFNING, YOU DON’T HEAR ONE WORD FROM DUNKLEY,BARRIT,MONIZ,GIBBONS,RICHARDS,OR ANY OF THE UBP/BDA POLITICIANS, BUT WHEN A PERSON OF COLOR, OR ANY ONE ELSE WHO HAS ACTUALLY EXPERIENCED THE HURT AND PAIN, SPEAK ABOUT IT , THEY ARE ACCUSED OF PLAYING UP RACE. WHEN I REFERRED TO JIM WOOLDRIGE’S COMMENTS IN HIS BOOK, ONCE AGAIN THE RESPONSE IS SILENCE, INSTEAD SOME HAVE CHOSEN TO CRITICIZE ME, HEY! THAT’S OK, I CAN TAKE IT,HOWEVER THO’ IT APPEARS THAT THE WILLIE LYNCH SYDROME IS ALIVE AND WELL IN BERMUDA. AS FOR DUNKLEY, AND HIS MEGA BUCKS, I HAVE NO PROBLEM WITH ANYONE WHO’S BEEN SUCCESSFUL IN BUSINESS, BUT WHEN YOU’RE THE ONLY ONE WHO HAS A MONOPOLY ON A BASICE FOOD ITEM, HE HAS THE ABILITY TO LOWER THE PRICE, AND STILL MAINTAIN HIS BOTTOM LINE. IN MY OPINION,THAT’S WHAT IT MEAN TO PUT (BERMUDA FIRST).
That remark from Jim certainly was a winner among many blacks who never had any time for the UBP. But have you spoken to Jim recently about his views on the state of Bermuda and the part the PLP has played in it ?
Fortunately for ‘CV’ he’s a black man and can’t be called ‘racist’ , so you’d be stumped as to what to call him after he gave you his take on things .
@ Ms. Richardson: When you type all in caps, it is considered to be shouting. Maybe that’s what you mean to do, but if not, please stop.
I’d be interested in what Jim Woolridge has to say now, given that there are so many black faces out in front. I still wonder who is pulling the strings, although I don’t necessarily think it is someone white.
I believe Mr. Dunkley has Bermuda’s best interests at heart, but I don’t think he, like any other human being, does anything totally out of a sense of altruism. His decision to run as Deputy kills several birds with one stone. It allows him to continue to serve his constituancy, which I believe he has tried to do consistently. It weakens the argument that the OBA is a warmed-over UBP, that would have surely gained strength if he had taken on the leadership position at this time. It also helps to divert any moves within the OBA to push former UBP frontrunners to the background – a strategy that must appear quite attractive to some of the OBA, especially in the face of so much criticism for embracing the ex-UBP members. It gives Mr. Cannonier the double benefit of being the front man while having some seasoned experience beside him. Bermuda benefits by having both a new and passionate person at the helm and a veteran to back him up and advise him – which would not happen if both were running for the leadership position.
I applaud you, Mr. Dunkley, for putting pride in second place.
@ Pastor Syl
The reality is that of the 4 candidates, 3 are former, prominent UBP members. On the face of it, OBA would have done well to have a greater variety of candidates that represent fresh faces. Based on the candidates, at least 50% wil be fomrere UBP… does that bode well for the country.
Based on the candidates, take your pick
Cannonier / Dunkley
Cannonier / Moniz
Richards / Dunkley
Richards / Moniz
@ Vote for me: I’d like to think, despite all the hype, that the reason the ex-UBPs are ex- is because they no longer agreed with the direction the UBP was taking. In certain instances, it would appear they have not agreed for some time.
From what I have read, the OBA has proposed certain safeguards that allow for recall of Parliamentarians who betray the people’s trust. I like that idea. I have never felt so powerless as a voter as I felt during the last few years. During the UBP years, the Union was the one weapon the PLP held which helped to force legislative/policy changes if petitions didn’t work. The recent UBP was ineffective for several reasons, not least because they did not have a similar entity like the Union in their back pocket to force change.
Of course, we have now seen that the Union is a two-edged sword.
I look forward to a government that actually, for real, is by the people, for the people.
@ Pastor Syl
‘I’d like to think, despite all the hype, that the reason the ex-UBPs are ex- is because they no longer agreed with the direction the UBP was taking’
That is exactly the problem. The original 4 that left UBP (Fahy, Hunt, Pettingill and Crockwell) can legitimately claim to have left because of fundamental disagreement with the UBP. The balance have already stated that they left UBP only after the Warwick by election because they realised that the UBP could bnot win an election without joining with the BDA to form the OBA. On that basis, the ‘joined up OBA’ is only for political expediency. Therefore the fact that 3 of the candidates are former prominent UBP Parliamentarians does not appear to bode well for the OBA to ditinguish itself from the UBP.
My point was that it would have been interesting to have another new face to challenge for the leadership since it would demonstrate more depth in the ‘new’ followers of the OBA.
As an aside, I think it is clear from recent actions that the PLP does not have the BIU ‘in its back pocket’!!
Lets not sell out to these theives please bermuda things are bad but thats world wide. What we need to do as a country is work together dont sellout to the rich the people who are power hungry and will say anything to win you over we need to stop blameing goverment its the ones who own these big companys and dont want to hire there own. this who u want to run are country wake up people dont be fooled.