OBA: ‘We Will End The Politics Of Division’
[Updated] “The Government’s proposed ‘debate’ on the idea of an Equality Act is just another example of an ‘all talk, no action’ government,” said Senator Toni Daniels, Shadow Minister for Youth Affairs and Family.
Senator Daniels continued: “Its proposal demonstrates a serious failure to lead on an issue of fundamental importance: Are we a society that will allow discrimination – in any form – to remain on its books?
“The OBA is committed to removing all forms of discrimination, as our leader Craig Cannonier said in The Reply to the Speech from the Throne last November:
“We will not leave anyone behind. We will eliminate all forms of discrimination. We will end the politics of division and show Bermuda there is a better way. That is where our future lies.”
“If the Government truly believed in a society without any vestige of discrimination on its books it would have brought forward legislation proposing real equality for all.
“Instead, it has proposed a talkfest without making a commitment. Its ‘take note’ motion for the House of Assembly is an exercise in avoidance and a sham. Imagine legislators of Bermuda being asked to debate whether citizens of Bermuda should be treated equally. Really? Are they serious?
“It says to us the Government has put internal political calculation ahead of moral imperatives,” continued Senator Daniels.
“Instead of bringing forward actual legislation to make this a more fair and equitable society, they are proposing a debate for consensus on a fundamental issue. It is a dodge and an outright failure to do the right thing and lead by example.
“We challenge the Government to bring forward an Equality Bill that reveals its intentions. And we urge the Press to press the Premier and her colleagues on this matter. Why not move an Equality Bill? The Government will get its ‘consensus’ when MPs vote on the Bill. Stop playing games.
“It is unacceptable that a country such as Bermuda, with its history, should have any form of discrimination on its books. This is not about endorsing any kind of lifestyle. This is about making sure Bermuda has learned from its history to build a model society that enables all of us to live together as equals,” concluded Senator Daniels.
Update 9.04am: A PLP spokesperson said, “Where have the OBA been on the issue. Nowhere, besides being missing in action until the Minister Blakeney decides to move forward in bringing the matter front and centre via the “Take Note” motion that was tabled on Friday June 29th.
“So now they obviously feel the need to respond so as to give the impression that the issue is something that they are committed to. Well let’s hear what they have to say during the debate. We believe that matters of fairness and equality are serious issues that are worthy of discussion in the community and the House of Assembly.
“The PLP has been consistently committed to making amendments to protect the rights of all members of our society during its tenure. If the OBA doesn’t want to debate the motion, they are fully within their rights to stay silent during the debate.
“However, the PLP supports the Minister’s move to give Bermudians and their representatives the right to speak on an issue of improving fairness and equality to our island.”
Good …… bcuz I wanna divorce my wife and marry my beloved boat
It’s def an election year. Promises, promises. Nothing will change if the same ol govt is re-elected.
“The PLP has been consistently committed to making amendments to protect the rights of all members of our society during its tenure.”
If this was true they would have voted for Renee Webb’s bill 6 years ago.
I’d really like to know who the PLP spokesman is. Seems like all they do is beat down the OBA, when they haven;t done anything about this. Always the blame game with these lot!
The PLP are bigots. What TF is there to debate on equalIty? Just do it you spineless, useless and incompetant twits.
No debate is needed.
This just shows how badly the PLP are losing it. From its inception the OBA said it would end discrimination of all forms. So the PLP respond with 1. What’s the OBA’s position and 2. the PLP is “committed to making amendments to protect the rights of all members of our society”. The facts make it clear how badly the PLP are out touch with reality. I don’t understand what happened to the PLP.
“We will end the politics of division and show Bermuda there is a better way.” Two things to say about this:
1. Please send this memo to Trevor Moniz who lives for the politics of division and nastiness.
2. Are you allowed to use that BDA tag line “there is a better way” in your stuff still?
Not everyone has amnesia or is blind. Crock said “no divisions” last night on ZBM…yeah..right…..
The day the OBA gets into power will be the day that local black Bermudian business owners will be cut out of all business on this island. If it wasn’t for the PLP being in power, there wouldn’t be any opportunity for us blacks. Just look at who is on the OBA panel! They are the same people who have been controlling ALL local construction, landscaping, and other businesses in which everyone gets a cut of now. Good luck – PLP!
Lol are you for real? Everyone gets a cut now. Hahaha you people got jokes.
Who told you that?
That is about the most ignorant statement any PLP supporter has ever published in the blogs!
The OBA controls nothing – they are NOT in power.
The PLP controls everything – they ARE in power.
Get it: out of power – no power. In power – lots of (misdirected) power.
Pretty simple, eh? Now pay attention, will ya!!
Look once again shoot the messenger. Can the PLP actually win on something other than this? Is this type of statement even fundementally provable? All this is is fear mongering at best PLP come better than this please……………
LOL if you can
Rubbish!
GO out there and get business yourself without relying on the Govt!
To Oh Please, Oh please! The PLP have the Construction Kings on board, aka Zaney Boy and Dennis Correia, what’s your SA point?
That is ridiculous! What are they going to do-twist everyone’s arms and force us not to patronize black businesses??? C’mon…those types of ignorant statements make all of us black citizens (yes, I’m black) look ignorant.
There are TONS of successful businesses that were successful way before the PLP even came to power, and continue to do well because they had a good plan and gave the people what they want. One that comes to the top of my list is People’s Pharmacy. That’s a business that is supported by BOTH the white and black community because they give us what we want and in a well-laid out, clean and friendly environment. A few of their products are pricier than some, but I always find what I want there-especially in the way of hair products; they can’t be beat on that. Give the people what they want and they will come.
Please stop whining and imagining things. If anything, they’d bend over backwards to ensure that black businesses thrive because they’ll be extra vigilant about fairness to the black population who will be watching them closely. If black businesses go belly-up when they come to power, it will be pure coincidence…
Oh please you are 100% correct…..when the OBA gets is we will find out that all of the Black Candidates and members of the OBA will take off their costumes and make up and reveal that they have really been evil white people after all…..are you really that stupid Oh Please? you don’t have to answer that because obviously you are…..
The PLP has been lying on this issue for years. OBA has stated what it will do, plain and clear. Of course, to declare is the riskier political route, but as stated above, sometimes a government must lead, and to do that it must take stands which are right for the society as a whole, if objectionable to some of those in it.
This debate is nonsense. electioneering nonsense. The PLP continues to discriminate on the grounds of sexual orientation in Bermuda, and that is wrong.
Let’s start with joining forces on race, sexual and all other forms discrimination..instead of criticizing and opposing for political gains…
Is that a statement for both sides? Please clarify.
LOL
Mr Dunkley stated on radio 2 times that whatever Craig Cannonaire stated about “discrimination ” was his own opinion and not a policy of the OBA.
Secondly the OBA are calling the PLP unwilling to bring the Bill forward.Yet the OBA themselves refuse o bring the Bill forward.
Who is fooling who here?
Senator nice try but
Silly wabbit trix are for kids
Tell me, how the hell can the OBA “bring the Bill forward” when they are not the Government?!
The more you lot comment here, the more hilarious it gets! SMH again.
How can the OBA bring the bill forward? They aren’t Government. Is this what you call leadership from the rear? ‘We’ll do it if you do it first’?
I’m no fan of the OBA, but holy crap the PLP have lost the plot completely.
Any member of the House can bring a Bill. John Barritt brought one in Opposition. But don’t let the facts get in the way of your little narrative.
Why would the OBA bring a Bill forward when it is the responsibility of the plp to do so…?! The plp seem to have NO PLANS for recovery, and are desperately seeking guidance from the OBA. Won’t happen.
Not much fun sitting in your own sh!t, is it?!
Don’t let the fact that the PLP should be leading from the front, since they’re the Government, get in the way of yours.
Correct me if I am wrong but didnt Michael Dunkley state 2 times on the radio that the part of the throne speech reply that Craig Cannonier spoke about discrimination was “Craigs own opinion and not an OBA policy”
So Senator Toni Daniels is either denying what MD said or Disagreeing with what he said.
Which one do you believe?
So let the OBA take a stand and show some balls .Bring it forward and if the PLP shoot it down then they the OBA can play the great defenders of gay rights.
But to accuse the government of not doing what you are not prepared to do yourself is basic political double speak..Hypocrisy at the highest level.
He said, she said. What about the issue?? No one want’s to touch it with a barge pole because they know the Church will get upset and then you risk loosing votes. In reality, we are so far behind the rest of the developed world on the issue that it is unbelievable that it is still on the table.
Well said Mr. Famous, you are correct. I also heard Mr. Dunkley on talk radio, he seems to have a different view from Mr. Cannioner. He also put Mr. Cannioner out there to hang by himself.
The whole discrimination is a hot potato that NEITHER side wants to touch, in my opinion. They’re going to dance around the issue until after the election and then not talk about it gain until it’s time for another election in 4-5 year’s time.
Let’s get real here. I hope Bernews doesn’t censor this because I’m not saying anything that people don’t already know and I’m not naming names: if a party that is composed of many gay members doesn’t have the guts to bring an end to this form of discrimination that impacts them, then what makes us think the OBA will? Bermuda is too conservative a society, the OBA too conservative a party and ‘The Church’ has too much influence. Why would any party take the risk in pushing this for such a small fragment of society? It probably won’t happen any time soon…
That should be ‘discrimination issue’ and ‘…talk about it again’…oops!
politics of division occur when there are political parties, get rid of the parties and end division…
I agree! Parties are more damaging to Bermuda than good.
As one of Moniz’s constituents, I am so disappointed that he’s still standing for election in our area. In my experience, he doesn’t care about his constituents, I’ve never seen him out canvassing, I’ve never heard him do anything useful but whine, and I understand that when the UBP was in and he was a member of that HOuse, he was often absent. So, really, OBA- I’d love to vote for you, but there’s no way I’ve warmed up to Moniz. I want someone who’s hard working, who’s present, who’s humble, who’s interested in even me, though I am not Portuguese or a member of any high-profile club or profession. None of that sounds at all like Trevor Moniz. As I said, would love to vote for the OBA, if only someone else would be running for election in our area. And I’m not the only one…please please please OBA, listen…
I am in the same position as you. And was pleasantly surprised when Vance Campbell knocked on my door the other day. We had very good conversation and he impressed me very much. He doesn’t seem to be about the pretense and acclaim but more about the issues. I will be voting for him in the next election. Moniz has had enough years and I haven’t seen much. Some people are calling for a change of government. I’m not sure that is necessary. I just think the current administration needs an injection of new talent, and with Vance Campbell and a few others elected we may see a marked improvement.
So… you would prefer more of the same ignorance with the plp until they default on our Country’s loan payments. Then the IMF moves in and devalues our dollar, and we end up burnt toast!
Whatever……
Yes I streetwise….these clowns have no clue about the IMF and what they can do to a country….watch what they do to the USA very soon and like i’ve said before when they go down the drain so will we…believe it or not …if you all that are sleeping would only wake up to what the socalled “conspiracy theorists” have professed…and remember…its only a conspiracy until one shred of proof is produced, which many have been,then it becomes reality….PLEASE WAKE UP BEFORE ITS TOO LATE FOR US ALL.
I hope to eliminate some myths that are floating around in regards to this topic and both political parties:
FACT #1: The PLP will never vote for any bill which will cut into their religious base of support, thus it was a political move to introduce this “debate” on the “Equality Act”.
FACT #2: The OBA will never be able to win the government based on their “alleged” support of the “Equality Act” as they need the same religious base of support to win the election, thus it is a bad political move on their part during this election year.
FACT #3: We will never end political division until the party system of government is eliminated, thus the OBA clearly does not understand (or wishes to ignore) our system of government.
FACT #4: The OBA have been caught speaking out of both sides of their “collective” mouths on this topic, as the leader has stated one thing and Mr. Dunkley has stated something in direct contrast.
Fact #5: The PLP, though incomptent in many ways, has never changed their “collective” position on this topic – their introduction of the “debate” is to appear that they are willing to talk about it.
As hard as it is to hear these facts, they are what they are. We live in a society which is laced with religious undertones, church interest groups, and the like – - they make up about 39 to 45% of the electoral vote (too much for any party to ignore). They will never give up that stronghold, nor will they wavier on their stance on same sex marriage (which is what the fear is all about).
I believe that everyone should be allowed the same rights as others – - but I ain’t in politics and I ain’t trying to be. Make up your own dang minds.
Yng Black Mind
(those who know understand)
Ironic considering how hard people fought for equal rights for black people and now these same people are against it because of their interpretation of a book that was written over 2000 years ago (often translated into multiple languages where it most likely has lost literal translation) in order to with hold people from being treated equally. Doesn’t sound very heavenly to me. Unwavering devotion to the church (much like that to the PLP) is what is holding this island (and world) back. Majority of wars fought through the ages were a result of religious differences. For those meant to be utilitarians you can’t help but laugh at the irony encased in that.
“FACT #3: We will never end political division until the party system of government is eliminated”
YES, YES, YES!!!
it is so hilarious how the OBA always put some little upstart out front to be whipped..senator you would do well to know your place less you be found out. Also why the heck do you guys (OBA) never have something to offer when you run down a decision of the PLP? Where’s your plan? I HATE ELECTION YEARS !!!!!!!
The PLP hates gay people.
GAYS AND LESBIANS ARE VOTERS TOO! WATCH OUT PLP/OBA!!!!!!
THE PLP JUST STICK UP FOR THE CHURCHES. THERE ARE MANY CLOSETS IN THE CHURCHES…HYPOCRITES!!!
http://youtu.be/pZXWcdLmht
an INconvenient truth
ah here come Christopher Famous and Rhonda and special Girl out of the woodwork….how about THE ABUSE OF TRUST
I don’t know what Mr. Dunkley may or may not have said is his own personal opinion, but the OBA initial platform (“What We Will Do” on their website – http://www.oba.bm) states that they will be “inclusive” and be “protective of everyone’s rights.” Sorry, I couldn’t make my machine cut and paste. So this isn’t Mr. Cannonier’s position but the party’s position, as I see it.