What Is The Value Of An Independent Politician?
[Written by Erwin P. Adderley & David J. Tavares] Whenever the term Independent Candidate is mentioned the most often heard comment is, a vote for an independent candidate is a wasted vote. Is it?
Recent polls consistently reveal that approximately one third of the people polled list their political preference as “undecided”. They may be having difficulty choosing between two diametrically opposing ideologies or they may be having difficulty in choosing between the two candidates with different skill sets.
Mr Tavares on the left, Mr Adderley on the right:
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If they remain undecided on Election Day the only choices that they have is to vote for one of the two parties/individuals or stay at home and not vote at all.
Notwithstanding the fact that approximately one third of the electorate is composed of people who do not ascribe to the political parties, the electorate has elected the United Bermuda Party (UBP) from 1968 to 1998, and the Progressive Labour Party (PLP) from 1998 to date.
While the other two-thirds of the electorate are almost evenly split between the two extreme ideologies of both the PLP and the OBA/UBP, the open-minded approach of independent–thinking people has made the difference.
Independents are similar in many respects to the one third of the people who when polled listed their political preference as “undecided” in that they too believe that the political party system is too partisan, too closed-minded, and are beholden to special interests.
The choice between two diametrically opposing ideologies is not the best of choices for Bermuda, particularly at this time. Right now, Bermuda needs to have all of her people working together for the common objective of helping us to rebound from this economic malaise.
This is not the time for blaming one another. Right now, Bermuda needs the option of another alternative, a middle of the road option, or the option of an honest broker capable of evaluating both sides and promoting the side which in his or her opinion represents the best interest of all of Bermuda.
- Erwin P. Adderley and David J. Tavares both plan to run as Independent candidates in the upcoming election. Mr Tavares plans to run in C#8 Smith’s South against the OBA’s Cole Simons and the PLP’s Linda Merritt, while Mr Adderley plans to run in C#19 Pembroke West against the PLP’s Vince Ingham and the OBA’s Jeanne Atherden.
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Zero…..you are powerless and will be ignored…
I fail to grasp how an independent representative can realistically represent my interests if they get elected. They will have no clout within the ruling party of the day. In light of that, why would I vote for them? While I don’t support the idea of party politics, the fact is, that if you’re not a member of the ruling party, there is little you can really influence in this system. So your vote therefore should be simply either a vote to KEEP the exisitng ruling party or to DROP the exisitng ruling party. If it is to KEEP then you obviously vote PLP, if it is to DROP, then you vote OBA. To show your “disdain” for the ruling party by spoiling your ballot or not voting is foolishness…as if you’ve ‘proven some point’ if they get in without your consent. Either vote them back in or vote them out. Simple.
“Independents are similar in many respects to the one third of the people who when polled listed their political preference as “undecided””…not really. Those undecided voters can actually make a difference by opting to either KEEP or DROP the ruling party. Just because they are not politically affiliated, those undecided should take a view on which party they want to rule. Voting independent is simply a non-vote which may, if it’s a close race, tip the scales…but if your intent is to tip the scales one way or another, then why not just go ahead and vote the way you want it to be tipped rather than leaving it to ‘chance’?
@theothersidebda – I suppose a question for you might be, do your current representatives represent your interests now?
I know the answer to that question, and my vote will be cast accordingly!
Are you better off today than you were in 1998…? The answer to that question should indicate who to vote for.
I agree with you,voting for an independent is a none vote.
I agree. Voting isn’t about choosing who’s best for the country, it’s about damage control. Vote for the one that will do the least damage.
Well done Pops!! Im proud of you and hope and pray for the best in your running to make Bermuda a BETTER place then it is now………GOOD LUCK!! LOVE YOU POPS!!
Well done to my Father! I am so very proud of you and pray for you in your running as well! All the best to you and don’t let ANY of these negative comments weigh you down (which I know you won’t
). God is on your side!
Love you!!!!!!!!!
PLEASE LMAO, GOD HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH HIM GETTING VOTED IN.
LMAO
God ,has better things to do than worry about these loosers.
Really? You sound like you need God yourself, I will pray for you and your sarcastic ways.
I understand why Mr Adderley isn’t running for UBP after they cast him aside in 2003 and gave the seat to Jamahl Simmons. A lot of voters in Spanish Point respect Mr. Adderley for his service and may vote for him as an Independent especially in place of Ms. Atherden who is largely an unknown in Spanish Point. I also know that the PLP candidate Mr Ingham has been making the rounds diligently. Should be interesting to see.
As far as Mr Tavares, I doubt he will make any inroads in Smith’s South. Cole Simons will win easily.
Mr Adderley, needs to retire he has served his time and we thank him for it..so just chill out and enjoy your retirement.
I also think Khalid Wassi aka Raymond Davis needs to give up trying to be a politician !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!ENOUGH already….. and else for Andre Curtis, and Rolf Commisiong ….words escape me… only in Bermuda.
Absolutely no value at all…Minor distraction…
What is the value of an independent politician in Bermuda you ask ? Well , about as valuable as a spent prophylactic .
With a Corrupt government or government that does not listen to the people, not much.
To a government that represents the people , Plenty.
This article represents a very superficial analysis of the Bermuda electorate and political environment. I offer a few points to consider.
In the first instance, there is no evidence to substantiate that the political ideology of the PLP and OBA are diametrically opposed. The ideology of the PLP is clearly defined in their constitution and successive election platforms. Whilst we make assumptions about the OBA, I have not seen any document that sets out the political ideology of the OBA. Thus we can not conclude that the ideologies are diametrically opposed.
From what I recall, the former members of the BDA and UBP agreed to amalgamate and form teh OBA after the Warwick bye election which MP Bean won handily. Thus the amalgamation is one of convenience as opposed to ideology. in summary it is an amalgamation to defeat the PLP as opposed to promoting any ideology.
Another point is that the article ignores the continued existence of the UBP. Whilst there are various thoughts about the strength and future of the UBP, they do continue to exist and represent an option for voters and the independents. My question? How come Messrs. Adderly and Tavares do not join with the Swans to strengthen the UBP ticket?
And now,lets get to the UBP philosophy. History tells us that it was an amalgamation of previous independents in response to the formation of the PLP in 1963. Depending on our collective level of maturity and understanding, there is evidence that one other longterm emphasis of the UBP was to stave off the inevitable rise of Black Bermudians politically and economically. Thus another marriage of convenience.
From a statistical perspective, it can be demonstrated that the Bermudian swing voters have been mostly middle class blacks. Whites traditionally vote en block for the former UBP and working class blacks fro teh PLP. The shift since 1998 has been primarily the black middle class. For the next election, it will be interesting to see if the traditional swing voters remain the black middle class or if some of the traditional black working class vote goes to the OBA.
The future of the UBP depends on the strength of their candidates and more directly whether the Swans can retain their seats and thereafter the political energy to continue as the UBP. They may also decide to join the OBA or PLP as a more practical and realistic option.
I know it is not directly relevant but Mr. Andre Curtis also falls in the category of independant candidate based on recetn news reports.
There have been various comments about his proposed candidacy and there is no legal reason why he can not be a candidate. From a practical perspective, he needs to do some real soul searching due to his recent convictions and release and whether the politcal climate is ripe for him. He should also consider the various candidates already in the area and whether he can positon himself to be distinct from any of them.
The present representatives are not doing a good job of running this country and dealing with the real issues plaguing our island. In the next general election I truly believe people will vote not vote party and will vote for the best person for the job. I believe this because the quality of the candidates is not all that great!!
An independent does give another dimension, they are not power less and they do have a voice in cabinet and in their constituency, etc.
Look at Pembroke South East (21 or 31) if you live in this who the heck will you vote for! hmmm.. you have 2 convicted criminals (Andre Curtis and Rolffe Commissiong), a pretty boy (Jeff Baron), a self proclaimed gang expert (Khalid Whassi) and Ashfield Devent. This sums up the state of our choices!!
I am very nervous about the future of by country makes me very very very sad and very very very nervous!!
I think when we go to the polls and we should really consider all the factors involved. I for one cannot vote party anymore!!
Hi Bermy’s Finest.
You and I are in the same boat and I definitely will be voting for an independent candidate in my constituency. Thankfully I have one running in mine. Otherwise, I simply would not have voted. Unfortunately not every constituency will have this option as I am pretty sure that other share the same sentiments.