Premier Paula Cox Hits Back At News Report
[Updated with video + OBA comment + VSB's retraction] Premier Paula Cox held a press conference this morning [Dec 5] and strongly condemned a report by VSB news which attributed a report written by Michael Markham for the Young Progressives as being done for the PLP.
Premier Cox said the report is not a PLP report, that Mr. Markham is not involved in their election campaign and that it was prepared for the Young Progressives Group – which is not affiliated with the PLP.
As we previously reported, Mr Markham said it was not commissioned by either of the political parties.
Mr Markham said it was written for the Young Progressives, which is a community organisation not affiliated with the PLP. The Young Progressives will be fielding their own candidate in the upcoming election, with Gershwyn “Shiloh” Smith standing as an Independent in C#7 Hamilton South.
Video of the Premier’s statement as well as her general comments on race/politics:
“For a news organisation to not even give us the courtesy of a phone call before alleging that an opinion entitled and I quote ‘Electoral Strategy of Racist Politics’ and subtitled and I quote ‘Racist Propaganda’ is beyond the pale,” said Premier Cox.
She noted that from looking at the television, the report appeared to begin with a quote from Adolf Hitler, and said that no political party on the island — the PLP or the OBA — would commission anything that began with a quote from the Nazi leader.
“Our attorneys have been instructed to file a defamation lawsuit against all parties that our attorneys deem appropriate,” said the Premier.
Bernews has not been able to obtain a statement from VSB news as of this time, but we will update as able.
The full statement from the Premier is below:
This Report is not a PLP Report and there has been no involvement by Mr. Markham in our Election Campaign.
Bernews correctly noted that the opinion was prepared for a group that calls itself the Young Progressives and that this group is not affiliated nor has it ever been affiliated with the Progressive Labour Party.
It is an independent group that is tied to an independent candidate running for the House of Assembly. Our attorneys have been instructed to file a defamation lawsuit against all parties that our attorneys deem appropriate.
For a news organisation to not even give us the courtesy of a phone call before alleging that an opinion entitled and I quote “Electoral Strategy of Racist Politics” and subtitled and I quote “Racist Propaganda” is beyond the pale. From what we could make out on our television screens last night, the report appeared to begin with a quote from Adolf Hitler. That is disgusting.
We condemn this opinion piece in the strongest terms. This Report is an insult to the intelligence of every Bermudian.
It is inconceivable that any political party would commission anything that began with a quote from the Nazi leader. It is not believable of the PLP and it is not believable of the OBA.
We expect VSB News to issue a full retraction leading all of their newscasts.
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Update 7.34pm: Via both their television and radio news today, VSB has apologized and retracted their report saying they “were under the impression the Young Progressives were a branch of the PLP.”
The Young Progressives formed back in the 1960s and have always been a separate entity, although they have been confused for the PLP youth wing many times due to the similar names. The PLP youth wing is presently called the “Progressive Minds,” and was previously called the “Progressive Youth.”
Following VSB’s retraction, Premier Paula Cox said: “We condemn VSB for having to be called out via a press conference and legal action before being willing to do the right thing.
“This pantomime that has played out over the media seems fabricated, contrived and is certainly, a curious coincidence. We hope that the Media Council has taken note and we intend to follow up with them to ensure that this doesn’t happen again.
“I have been in politics long enough to know when something does not smell right and the people of Bermuda are smart enough to know when something isn’t right. The circumstances surrounding the coverage of this story reeks and takes journalism in Bermuda to a new low.
“I anticipate further desperate, mischievous and malicious tactics as election day, December 17th nears,” Premier Cox concluded.
Update Dec 6: OBA Leader Craig Cannonier joined Premier Paula Cox in condemning the contents of the report, saying: “We find every aspect of the language, quotes and strategies outlined in the report to be reprehensible and offensive, having absolutely no place in politics in Bermuda, or anywhere for that matter.”
Mr Cannonier’s full statement follows below:
I along with everyone in the One Bermuda Alliance condemn in the strongest terms the contents of a report about conducting “racist politics” and “racist propaganda” that was prepared by a former PLP consultant for the Young Progressives group.
We find every aspect of the language, quotes and strategies outlined in the report to be reprehensible and offensive, having absolutely no place in politics in Bermuda, or anywhere for that matter.
Politics must be about bringing people together. That is why I got into politics and that is my goal as leader of the One Bermuda Alliance – bringing the people of this country together.
It is time for this election to move beyond the politics of rumors and distraction to addressing the real problems of real people.
That’s what people are telling us on the doorstep. That’s what they are telling us in the neighborhoods. That’s what Bermudians’ want.
The Island is less than 12 days from an election that will determine the future of the country.
We are in the midst of an economic and social crisis that has left thousands without a job, thousands earning less and gang warfare threatening the fabric of community life.
This election has got to get back to the question of which party can best get Bermuda working again for the people – growing jobs and paycheques, making our streets and homes safer and improving the education of our children.
When asked today about what Bermuda’s voters should look at when deciding in this election, the Premier said: “As people make their choice, they’ll have to look at a party that stands on its record.”
She said it clearly: This Government has a record over the last 5 years and it stands on it.
For the One Bermuda Alliance and the people of Bermuda, the choice is just as clear – more of the same or change for the better.
The One Bermuda Alliance is committed to change, to building a Bermuda based on social and economic equity for all, leaving no one behind.
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Articles that link to this one:
- Michael Markham’s Report On Race/Politics | Bernews.com | December 5, 2012
- Video: Independent Candidate Gershwyn Smith | Bernews.com | December 7, 2012
LOL. Sure Paula. Cuz Markham has nothing to do with the PLP.
This is the way a leader is supposed to act. Come out and face the media about allegations. I don’t usually support the PLP but am proud of our Premier.
On the other hand, I did support the OBA but after learning their tactics are the same to get us Blacks upfront to gain power and to treat us so disrespectful. Gibbons and Dunkley should of come fort instead of hiding behind a paid written statement. Topping off The poor behavior of Craig – I won’t be voting OBA and recommend anyone who cares about us a Bermudians don’t.
However, I must suggest to you, did Dr Brown not say 5 years ago that he had to deceive us so that eventually he could prove that the ends justify the means? Lets pretend that the OBA (a separate party than the report was intended for) is trying to follow the lines of putting black faces forward to come into power. Why is that a deal breaker? (If indeed true) The OBA/UBP have been sidelined due to racial reasons. The PLP has reached out to the black voters and got them on their side, and as they are majority, they will prevail. Who is to say even if their tactic to get into power is not completely how it should be that once they are in power they will not be able to fix Bermuda? The way i see all this “secret plan” nonsence is the PLP fighting to put down the OBA and try to say that the white people are just using us blacks and they actually dont care. The PLP are the ones keeping racism alive in this country and causing this divide. So if YOU really care about Bermuda you will stop giving the PLP one more try to “save” us when we can see from past 14 years things have gone down and instead give someone/anyone else a try to improve the island.
Things have gone down hill in the last 4-5 years, right around the time of the US mortgage bubble, and the worldwide economy turned down. PLP Govt policies and decisions also contributed to our downward spin but lets not forget that the first 9 years after 1998 things were VERY good in this counrty (despite the UBP’s then claims that things would immediatley go bad).
The UBP never said that things would go down ‘immediately’ ! From one of the ‘horse’s mouths’ I was told TEN YEARS before they got in that the PLP would slowly but surely chip away at the foundations of stability through poorly thought out ‘get even legislation’ and nasty thinly veiled racist attitudes and propaganda. It wouldn’t happen overnight.
Well ,well ,well, looky at what’s happened .
By the way , I got a visit from my PLP candidate yesterday and said that I wasn’t influenced at all by all of these ‘secret report’ shenanigans and it made no difference to me whatsoever.
Most relieved to hear it , they said ‘Hey , we gotta do what we gotta do’.
There’s your truth if you’re real enough to face it .
I had a PLP candidate cpme to my houe a few weeks ago… when i found out why they showed up, i stopped them immediately and kindly asked them to leave, cause noone in the house will EVER vote for the plp… when inquired why, I told them blatantly, we ALL want you out!!!!!!
Since you appear to be adept at conducting symphonies of eloquent balderdash, do be charitable and explain to us why black voters vote for both parties while over 95% of the white voters vote for UBP/OBA as a solid block for almost 50 years? Now I’m not asking you to tell the truth because experience suggests that you are predisposed to break out in hives at just the thought. Just play me a fiddle diddle like you did above.
It is simple, the PLP policies in the past were anti-white. Remember Renee Webb’s comment on give business to “people who look like me”. People have long memories. It is the same reason most OBA voter will never vote PLP, that most PLP voters will never vote OBA. If they disagree with their politician at election time, they are more likely not to vote for anyone.
There were a lot of poorer white people who did not feel that the UBP was working for them, as it was the rich white party, but they voted for them because they knew the PLP wouldn’t help them because they are white. Now they live in hope that the OBA, if elected will work for Bermuda as a whole.
Before you jump down my back saying the PLP is anti-white. I am not saying the currently are, but in the past their policies targeted helping blacks.
Too be honest, Ewart Brown did not help the PLP’s claim to be for ALL of Bermuda, and there are a lot of people that believe he is still in the background pulling strings.
I disrespect you for attempting to paint the PLP’s (and black Bermudians’ in general) struggle for racial equality in politics and other over the last half century as “anti-white”. It only highlights the evil and depraved ideology that we’ve been struggling against all this time which asserts that if blacks want what whites have and care an ounce about their peoples disenfranchisement and are willing to take measures to equal the playing field they are “anti-white”. Sir/ma’am, it is made evident by your comment that your definition of white is one who deserves to be politically, economically, educationally and culturally superior to blacks. We should all be anti-THAT-white. The biggest problem here is one of identity. You see being equal with blacks as a threat to your identity because you believe your identity is one of mastery over blacks but that is a false identity which you can let go of and it does not have to mean your destruction. Embrace an equal footing and you will not be plagued by this fear of annihilation. It is will known that the UBP over her more than 30 year reign
Cont’d……it is well known that the UBP, over her more than 30 year reign did NOT look out for the interests of all people and rather concerned itself with the economic, political educational and cultural domination of black Bermudians. So to paint the necessary evening of the balance of power as anti-white is an inadvertent allusion to your racist ideology sir/ma’am. I bet you didn’t even know you were lifting you skirt up
You must of not understood what I was saying. I believe all people are equal, Black, White, Male, Female, Old, Young etc. What I was saying that in the struggle for equality they started to do the same sorts of things that they fought for. Where the PLP said the they were discriminated for being black, they were discriminating against people for being white. Equality is about all people being equal.
Unfortunately their are some people who don’t realise that all white people were not born with silver spoons in their mouths. These people voted for, what they thought, was the lesser of the two evils. And yes, whites did vote PLP. They may not of been at the rallies or anouncing it to the world, because of the social repercussions from both sides.
Things aren’t as simple as it is black or white, rich or poor or the haves and have nots.
Reading your response, it seems that you don’t get it.
Big problemwith the PLP, is accountibility. The reason for the mess was Cox not stopping the outrageous spending that overheated the economy and burst the bubble. She had control of the money and did nothing. Now she still has control of the money and is in charge too. She answers to herself. She certainly has avoided answering any serious questions raised by the people she wants to vote for her, and now she threatens legal action against the people she eants to vote for her. Answer the questions. Where is the budget, why has the accountant general been put on leave, who are the beneficiaries of the Dame Louis building trust. Why is Hamilton ans St Georges being left to rot, whilest all the tourism dollars flow through Wedco. Why all the lies about hotels, and why always before an election? Why can’t you run on your record of uncontrolled spending instead of being divisive and putting out your hounds to play dirty dirty tricks?
Since you appear to be adept at conducting symphonies of eloquent balderdash, do be charitable and explain to us why black voters vote for both parties while over 95% of the white voters vote for UBP/OBA as a solid block for almost 50 years? Now I’m not asking you to tell the truth because experience suggests that you are predisposed to break out in hives at just the thought. Just play us a little fiddle diddle like you did above.
How was this data collected, because it is a secret ballot, noone would know who votes for who. More race baiting From the Dreadful Judge of everthing….ps Judge Dredd, do you do the government budgeting? Are you following a markham secret plan?
Oooh that violin! Play it for me!
90% of Black voters in the US vote for Democrats.
@ Judge Dredd:
How about that people, black and white, vote for the party that they think is going to do the best for them and for the island. Black people haven’t always (and still aren’t) at all sure that black people will “do right by them.” Many white people are positive that black people will NOT “do right by them.”
As it stands now, many people, both black and white, aren’t so much concerned with the ‘colour’ of the party, but again, are more concerned with their perceived ability to do the best for the individual and the island.
As it stands right now, based on past performance, that party is not the PLP.
Who is leading by example? The PLP? Paula- merely a cog in the wheel?
She is a cog, a big one and has a couple of nuts by her side on the video
@Leading by example
You are another one that has been fooled by this whole thing.
Don’t you realise that this is all designed to distract you from the real issues. I distinctly remember Michael Dunkley addressing this issue about three years ago, but there wasn’t an election then, while there is one now.
If you can’t distinquish between political rheteric leading up to an election and the REAL issues you wouldn’t open your mouth and let us know just how gullible you are.
Where is Michael Dunkley now? Did he come forward and address Bermuda? Did Grant Gibbons come forward and Address the issue? No they sent a prepared statement and the Black Faces. Did Craig address the issue No.
Question for the media. The BDA party are the ones that started the ball rolling from the suggestions from the secret plan. Why had not one question Mark Pettingill, Shawn Crockwell and Michael Fahy? when you get them to answer you will see why Craig is so very very nervous. He saw the plan and is part of the plan
Wrong secret plan…..catch up please…we are talking about your secret plan here.
which politician are you? stop hiding behind an alias…
look at the number of blacks who have supported the PLP and been treated like dirt. How many of those young people running now and before were encouraged after they campaigned in an election. Used and abused – listen to the Seniors on buses or sitting in restaurants or anywhere they congregate – they are sayign that they were better of under the UBP then they are under a black run government. These are the people we should be listening to and using our common sense to see what they see as many are blind to the fact that Bermuda is hurting because of them (PLP) and their ruthlessness. At least the UBP did leave funds and plenty of them that the PLP could have used better than they did.
@Leading by Example… Like you, I’m black. Unlike you, I’m voting for policy and not the color of one’s skin. I’m assuming by your comments that you don’t feel comfortable voting for a white person but agree with the OBA’s vision. Putting a black face out front only serves to make you feel better (for whatever reason) when you cast your vote but you are still voting for the same policy if the candidate was pink, green or purple. So “secret plan” or not, black face or white, my vote will not change.
The OBA can do no worse than what we’ve had for the last 14yrs so whats the problem with giving them a chance? If we don’t like them we can vote them back out. That’s what elections are for. I think change is healthy and our present Govt needs to step aside to get some fresh air.
For those of you voting labor, the PLP is only Labour around election time and Labour Day. They aren’t for Big Business but even worse…for themselves.
I couldn’t agree more!
And just what is this OBA policy that you are planning to vote for? It’s comments like this that make me LOL. OBA policy hahahaa, answer the easy questions, but run crying like a baby when a real issue is brought up.
The same policies that the PLP and BIU are continuously attacking. That’s what makes me laugh, the OBA came out with a mini-platform (which I’ll admit needs to be extended) with actual policy ideas and the PLP and their supporters have been falling over themselves to both attack them for their plans and saying that they’ve come up with no plans. Which is it? Meanwhile, the PLP, the party that presided over the mess we now find ourselves in have released, to date, a 10 point plan with no details. That would be hilarious if it wasn’t so sad. Attacking for doing someothing that you’ve done even less of is beyond hypocritical.
Your choices on the highest level really comes down to the party who spends even when we have no money, wastes more than they use efficiently thus causing the social services that to be neglected or the one that isn’t them. Anything more to that choice is purely personal.
poor you is all I can say the OBA has nothing to do with this silly “Document” lets get out of Kindergarten and go forward. If the nonsense about this document would change your vote then you didn’t know who you were voting for in the first place. and to let PLP and all the cogs back in, you would only have yourself to balme when there is no more Bermuda.
Oh right so we are all going to listen to you are we? I’m voting for the other lot because I’m fed up of:
NO JOB
NO PROSPECT OF A JOB
GANGS SHOOTING UP THE ISLAND
NO TOURISTS, IB GOING HOME
A WORSE BERMUDA
Some report that doesn’t exist and Pathetic Paula holding a press conference….er no, its not enough. I liked the old days more.
Blame gibbons and dunkley for no jobs. they are helping the employers hold out on jobs to show the PLP in a bad light.
Philip Butterfield, Ewart Brown’s brother, sold a Bermuda company to foreigners, then under his control got rid of 500-700 jobs in Bermuda.
Sorry, how are you blaming 2 people who control a tiny percentage of the workforce for this? I’m lost here – can you explain.
Transparency? Transparency? we in the PLP? where was the transparency when Dr. Brown and Col. Burch smuggled 4 potential terrorists into our back yard under the cover of darkness without notifying the citizens of this country. transparency?
Dictatorship not transparency.
That’s a plantation question too…
“this is the way a leader is mean’t to lead”
Rubbish, she basicallythreatened the whole population of Bermuda with legal action if they step out of line.
That is not leading a people, this is dictating to people.
@Leading by Example – so the poor tactics of the PLP of the last 13 years are not enough to make you change your mind. I will be the first to say that I actually like Paula Cox and think she has done a lot of damage repair since she took over. The problem is that she is only one person and the old PLP sharks sit back and salivate and will be back to mouth off and destroy again aft5er the election.
No, she could have stopped the flooding, in fact it was her job to stop it. Now she is in charge and also answering to herslef on financial matters…… Can you spot what is wrong, and why we are in a mess………..Ding Ding correct, it is all her fault. She has theld the positions of responsibility, therefore she is responsible. Doesn’t matter if you like someone, they can still be a disaster, and she has been for Bermuda.
Cox is silent on things that affect us, but incredibly loud on things that affect her….answer the questions on the promised mid year finances, that you have failed to produce and why before an election has the AG been put on leave. PLP PATI…public access to information was a lie a damned lie from Cox own lips.
Where is all of the great defenders now that the shoe is on the other foot!
You’re voting PLP cos of this? You’re craaaazzzzie man. Can’t you see? What we gotta do?
Really, this is a joke right? you mean to tell me I pay you people over 150K to respond to Jerry Springer shyte while the country is in turmoile financially, socially, and spiralling out of control to the level of Caricom status…..this is pathetic….another f#ukin press conference about Jerry Springer sh#te, without one word why the accountant general is forced to take admin leave? How the f#uk do you expect me to respect you lot much less vote for you?
I do not give a hoot about any report secret or no secret. All I care about is if I will have a job tomorrow, the education of my children, the crime situation, and the wrong direction in which Bermuda is going, that’s all I care about.
I agree Winnie dread
Exactly, why has the Accountant General been put on Administrative Leave?
The below article seems to have got lost in the wash. There are some questions we all need to have answered by The Minister of Finance and, whilst she is here. Read the A Simmons Q’s.
http://bernews.com/2012/12/accountant-general-joyce-hayward-on-leave/
Q: How did you get involved with the PLP?
A: My whole political experience in Bermuda has been with the PLP.
Andrew Markham, Jan 3, 2011
who is andrew markham? I’ve never heard of him
I think he may have meant Michael Markham….
LOL! I was wandering if you’d be following this.
You should check out the other article on this. There is a post there asking about Michael Markham’s “mother” & “brother” obviously going from hearsay if they’re calling them that.
Hang on, doesn’t the PLP sponsor the VSB news these days? And now they are threatening them with lawsuits?
So, where’s the PDF?
Oh gawd…something’s making her party look bad and now she speaks!
My first thought too.
Premier Cox is much better than Craig who denounce the media and only use them to get anti plp messages out.
MUCH better! Look at the class and character that she handled it with. Look how nasty they get when they get exposed, they turn to slander lol. Grasping at phantom straws, no integrity, no conscience. Vote vooote PLP
It would show a bit more “class and character” if she had shown up to express concern at the dismal education stats. Or unemployment. Crime. Or debt. Or if she had talked about the Accountant General being taken out of action for the leadup to the election. She shows no interest in those things.
She just wants to complain about a document, written by a PLP consultant, that accurately lays out PLP’s election tactics.
“It wasn’t written for us”. Yeah, right.
That’s a plantation question!…oh sorry I thought you were asking a question…
Excellent remarks Premier Cox, as I note that vsb news has clearly crossed the line in a very “reactionary” manner. And the contents of this man’s thoughts are disturbing and worthy of condemnation. This applies in particular to the hitler quotes, which is so sick. I know election tension is high and harsh words come from all sides, but hitler cannot be applied to the PLP or the Oba,!
Maybe. However, the plp have indeed used those tactics many many times. You seem out of touch.
trying to sound as strong as Craig Cannonier….sounds like a follower rather than a leader….all huffy with the shoe on the other foot…..
Bwahahaha you must be joking right? Craig CannotHear? Are you taking about the guy who threw a tantrum like a prepubescent bed wetter when questions were asked? The same guy that thought he was big and tough and needed to flex his little bit of power to end a press conference instead of answer questions? Premier material? I beg to think not.
Do you expect anything less or greater from the V.S.B reporting,a report system that gears mainly to second hand information and many time can be found reading word for word what we see in the daily Gazette,instead of doing some real work and getting out and about to dig their hills into the trenches.
I am glad that the Premier has taken the steps to set the record straight with them but will warn their legal eagles that at no time did Mr Markham privately or publicly state that this report was done for or on the behalf of the P.L.P,so be careful the buttons you push because you may not be able to handle what jumps out of the box at this point.
Duane,
Is it not a fact that Mr Markham was not a consultant for Ewart Brown during the 2007 election? I think you would be foolish to believe that a similar report wasn’t prepared by Mr Markham for the PLP during the 2007 election. The fact is that the PLP rely heavily on using race to stir emotions during elections, and as long as Bermudians continue to vote based on race, the longer Bermuda’s progress will be held back.
@ Justin,
I believe it’s a political strategy, and it works for them. They are in the game we call politics. But I have question: I understand that black bermudians through our history have always been swing voters because we are the majority. But what I would like to know is how come the UBP were always able to have 95% to 98% of the white vote?
Maybe because they didn’t agree with the plp ideology at the time. And I’m not talking race issues. The same reason why I would vote democrat in the u.s. Under an Obama administration. If people don’t agree with a parties policies they won’t vote for them.
Where does he get his stats from? It is a secret ballot, therefore no data can be collected from the voting slips attributing the voter to the vote. This must be from one if those 100 people were asked type of surveys or simply plucked out of the air.
I like a crack at that. I voted PLP twice 1998 and 2003 I believed the ubp in 1998 was complacent and in 2003 Marc Bean was the better candidate in my area. Coming forward a bit Dr. Brown’s racial pushing and proding in 2007 and how dirty that got mostly in my opinion by the plp election campaign with all its nasty slogans towards whites whom are also “real Bermudians” I might add plus all the nonsense they talk on a regular the PLP will have to go though a lot of change to ever get my vote again. Although right is right in some instances I would defend the few things good for the country that they have down I do not think their racial beliefs are anything I would like to share. All I see is hate and the ones who do not are not strong enough to over power the racial noise in the group so they might as well say they agree with it as they will not stand up and “Be Strong” for a fellow Bermudian. I have always intergrated with blacks and have mixed kids I’m glad they will not go though life here the way I have as I know they will get the best from both worlds. Just my take.
LOL
@ lol, you are lying so stop it. Marc Bean was not involved in politics in 2003! You Oba people are sick
I may be mistaken about voting for Marc Bean back then but I thought it was him it was some time ago so for that error find I appoligise for my slip of memory but every thing else is accurate and unless you know who I am how would you know I’m lying about what I said above guess in fact it’s you (must be a PLP person right?) that are sick ……………
LOL hope you feel better soon
It was Michael Scott back then………..
LOL can’t remeber everything I think that was my second vote ever in life. As on an aside I think Marc Bean is the most Progressive candidate the PLP have….
Your question should be, why wasn’t the plp able to get 95-98% of the white vote. There lies your answer, I can think of a few reasons.
@ a Bermudain
I wasn’t old enough to vote in 1998 and I wasn’t really into politics at that time either. However, I will say that most white people that I’ve spoken to said they never voted plp prior to 1998 because they believed the plp were incompentent. Unfortunately, I believe the older white crowd has been proved right thanks to dr. Brown. It’s a shame that dr. Brown’s heart was in the wrong place, because I believe he is a intelligent man and could have been the best thing for Bermuda and proved the older whites wrong. However, we all know how the story ended and where Bermuda is today. Since it all happened under Paula cox’s watch while she was finance minister I believe she should be punished joy not getting my vote.
I hope this helps.
No wonder she’s pissed. Here’s a quote from that “secret report”:
“When the individual or party lacks a coherent intellectually honest policy, they turn to a race based strategy of election message instead of policy based on considered issues.”
Q. How do you tell when politicians are lying?
A. Their lips move.
Must be speaking about Craig and dunkley! Lol you Oba fans are hurting today because you thought that you had a solid deflection from the truth that the Oba is a fraud and Craig is actually not the leader! It has been a tough week for you all, as on one hand, new Oba supporters feel duped and ashamed, while the loyalist are fuming because they actually thought that their scheme had worked, and had slipped under the radar. As for the targets of your diabolical plot against democracy, “the black middle class swing voter”, you will be taught a lesson. Remember, they are just not educated, they also have the common sense their momma’s taught them, something I guess you all just take for granted. I agree with Duane santucci, it’s not mr. Markhams problem, as he is free to write what he likes. And while I disagree with his views, I still respect his right to express them. After all, it’s only his opinion. VSB on the other hand…….well, I think you got yourself into trouble, and lost all remaining credibility.
The Premier says this report was not written for her. It’s funny how this is supposed to get her off the hook, while Craig Cannonier’s exact same response yesterday was different somehow.
Markham was a PLP consultant. He advised people like Neletha Buttefield and Ewart Brown. The Premier and many of the current MP’s were in the mix and would have been privy to the advice Mr Markham gave. Interestingly, the tactics described in the report are exactly the ones the PLP has been using. What a coincidence.
Michael Markham was amongst the PLP group milling around on the outside balcony of the House watching the peaceful demonstration against the smuggling of 4 Uighers. Of course he has recent connections to the PLP.
No, we are more than ever sure that we will are voting for a working and committed party the OBA, who have the right people, the strategy, the know how and the focus and who are more than able to bring Bermuda back.
Question re the work permit policy – a Cardiologists with thousands of patients has had his permit denied leaving one cardiac dr. who is not taking new patients, leaving only the cardiac dr. at King Edward. AGAIN PLP Policy robbing our people of a great health care.
Your own fleas bite the hardest !
Madame Premier…Please disclose the beneficiaries of the Trust that was awarded 30% of the multimillion dollar contract to build the Dame Lois Brown Evans building…as a taxpayer I have a right to know the names of the beneficiaries as it was executed under your watch…been waiting for you to enter my living room but you choose not to stop by…suspect being in a safe constituency works for you.
Don’t hold your breath, Pebbleb.
THAT trust deed is a SECRET DOCUMENT if ever there was one!
Exactly – I love it whaen people say secret document. Every diocument, file , picture, or video not made available to the general public, is secret isn’t it.
Therefore every minuted meeting that the PLP have at Alaska hall is therefore secret – yes?!
PATI, it is our money, who are the beneficiaries?
I don’t care about the sceming, dirty, bitter, twisted schemes to make Bermudians belive that they are betraying themselves for not beliving the PLP are some kind of Gods.
I care about Bermudiansand Bermuda. If they had done agood job, then it wouldn’t matter, but they haven’t and they stick their fingers in their ears pretend all is good, whilst they take away from the working man at every turn. They are parasites that have sucked the blood out of Bermuda and left us poorer, in debt, jobless, divided and with a failed education system.
All this goes to show is what is really important to these politicans come on lets talk about the real issues and do something to fix them who gives a rats @SS about a secret plan
*Politicians
Bernews can I make a suggestion that you create an edit / delete button for comments.
Yawn…….
Whether the PLP want to admit it or not the message Mr. Markham delivered in this report won’t be new to them. As the former political advisor to their party leader (and our premier) they knew all to well what was said in this report. The proof is in their actions. They are purpsefully (racially) divisive…and it works. The UBP had surrogete blacks and now it is clear that the PLP use voting blacks as pawns in their game at sticking it to white folk. Yay.
The Markham report has nothing to do with the PLP’s campaign… just as the UBP ‘secret report’ has nothing to do with the OBA’s campaign. Thanks for clarifying that!
Just one problem, the UBPs report was written to the OBA.
Um, just one problem. No it wasn’t. The UBP’s report was sent by a consultant to the UBP. I know, there’s so much flying around it’s hard to keep it all straight.
@ We the people,
The person who wrote the document is running the OBA campaign from overseas!
The UBP paid the consultants for the report and followed all the necessary steps.
And the PLP paid Markham as a consultant for 15+ years. Which is why the tactics in his report describe how the PLP has run its campaign. “It wasn’t written for us”? Yeah, right.
The UBP report was written TO the UBP by a consultant. The Young Progressives report was written ABOUT the PLP by the consultant to the PLPs party leader. Why do you find the former more damming? I think the later says a lot more about the true colours of the PLP than that of the UBP consultant’s report said about the UBP…
Well this is a mirror image of the acusations made by the PLP against the OBA. The OBA or the UBP didn’t write the “Secret Plan” a UBP hired consuntant did and the UBP rejected the “Secret Plan” as an embarrassment!
Like the accusations against the OBA; VSB is guilty this time around as neither report has anything to do with either the PLP or the OBA.
This is all electioneering at its very worst.
Please can we get on with the Party Platforms so that we can make a decision. These secret reports, niether of which is secret, might make some juicey reading, but neither of them have anything to do with what each party is going to do to make things better for Bermuda and its people.
Please can we get on with the real issues and state your partys’ platforms.
It is not the fact the UBP commissioned the report; every party has consultants and advisors and plus the UBP would not have know the full contents of the report nor had control over its content.
The only issue with the report is that they executed the contents of the report, which was based on deceiving its candidates, members, and the voting public, names blacks.
The UBP commissioned report led to the formation of the OBA through its recommendations, so I do not understand how the OBA or its supports say the report has nothing to do with them, when it is in fact the bases of the party’s existence.
Where can we read the report?
who cares about a report – you plp government starting worrying about this country today and how we are going to get out of debt, education, crime, health and more.
So i see more self inflicted wounds reaching up to bite the PLP. your plan backfired lol see ya
What is reported above merely states that the Premier condemns a report which begins with a quote from Hitler. What she apparently didn’t do was to refute the allegations of the use of race and racist propaganda that formed the basis for the report. Does that imply that apart from the Hitler quote, she, and the PLP, doesn’t disagree with the report content?
Why were Derrick Burgess and Walter Roban sitting there? What did they add to the issue?
Bookends
Can someone please tell me who is representing the Government at the Joint Ministerial Council with the AOverseas Office in London, and why the Premier is not there?
So Madam Premier will hold a press conference about Mr Markam but no information regarding our Account General? Which is more important to the People of Bermuda?
Get ‘em Paula. Show what a true leader does. Doesn’t storm off or lose composure.
Hope craig was watching.
Well, she will be opposition leader in a few weeks.
Use your imagination. Paula storming anywhere fast? I don’t think so. She has that death stare with the head to one side.
On the report it is interesting to note that she did not question the opinion of the author. Fits the PLP to a ‘T’. When in a corner cry race. Look there, not here.
Now that each has had their own reports which they each did not have can we please get on with the real issues like ‘Where did dee moneey go?’
She’s been in hiding for weeks and only shows up to show fake outrage when the PLP tactics are exposed for all to see.
Notice she didn’t say a word about the Accountant General being taken out of circulation until the election. She never said a thing about the dismal education results. Never a word about unemployment, debt, crime, or anything else that concern us. But when a report emerges that shows her tactics, she’s on tv in a flash.
She held a press conference to talk about this report so why would she not sit there. The OBA press conference was to deal with Crime, not a “secret” report that was authored by someone else and for a party that he had nothing to do with? The reporter was to thick to respect that or maybe know tha there is the difference.
If you don’t see the difference, not sure what else what anyone can say. Some people think that if they call Gold – rust often enough people will belive it is rust and walk away from the riches. Sadly , some are to stupid to look at the facts – and just see what they want.
LMAO!!!! She must have learnt her “composure” from Roz.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RtWBlDC2-ss
She’s allllllllllwaaaaays watching.
A lawsuit??
She as sticking to the game plan. More diversions, plus the ever present smokescreen.
Why not stick to the issues that worry most Bermudians?
Dear PLP. The more you excuse yourself, the more you ACCUSE yourself.
You are caught in the headlights and you know it. Bet you wish you hadn’t even mentioned the UBP thing now.
Tough Titty.
The end is near – enjoy your final days.
OBA on 18th. PLP out.
…taste your own medicine… “Young Progressives Group is not related to the PLP”. Stuck in a time warp, neither is the UBP related to the OBA; get over it and grow up! You can’t move forward if you keep looking back.
where is the no go area based on the color of your skin in bermuda?….and she speaks of transparency….i think i will puke…
Wonder which PLP member is bankrolling the Progressive Group to be the spoiler in the election?
Follow the Cedar Beams.
Follow the Uighurs.
Follow me.
Be blessed.
While the Premier can rightly say the document was not commissioned by the PLP the irony is that the very accusations being made this week about the UBP/OBA secret document are exactly what the this document describes as being the way the PLP operates. It is only further proof, if we needed any, that they will use the issue of race to build distrust for white Bermudians by the electorate for their own political gain. Michael Markham, up until recently, has been very close to the PLP for a long time. I tend to believe his insight and understanding into a very troubled Party.
At least she did not try to pin it on the OBA.
Y $he alway$ cockin her head to d $ide like dat?! hahahaahahhh
Its gonna be silence on the blogs on the evening of dec 17! When PLP storms to victory again!
Sweeeeeeet Victory!!
Sweeeet debt!!
Sweeeet unemployment!!!!
Sweeet cronyism and corruption!!!!
Sweeet low graduation rates!!!
Sweeet budget cut backs (even more to come)!!!!!
Sweeeet racism!!!!
Sweeeet “overruns” and “missing funds!!!!
Sweeeeeet!!!!!
No, there will be sad messages of condolences for the Country on the blogs.
Yes. We get the government we deserve.
well at least she is clear and firm about something! enough with this already..hurry up December 17th!
Paula: “We don’t believe in cover ups – we believe in transparency”
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
She can talk?
Has not spoken a word since calling the election
21 square miles and a bunch of fools.
That for you 40 acres.
Actually she and the rest of the PLP have spoken at many events. Do your research and educate yourself.
@40…#1 , You don’t have 40acres . You have quite a few mules though . And starting with the OBA leader who must feel more a fool than a white mouth mule ..
“White mouth mule”?… The man you speak of called for respect of the plp party leader…you need your mouth wired shut old man and if knew who you were, I’d oblige. Can’t wait until this older generation and its mentality DIES out.
Why try sensationalize my post . I basically said he must feel like a fool . As for you busting my JAW … Keep your hands to yourself you damn bully . To think you would take advantage of a little old man .
Amen!!!!!! Finally someone said it!!!
THe more – I read you blogs – the more I see that you are full of hate, or stupidity. Not sure which is worse. Probably stupidity, because some stop hating – but you can’t fix stupid.
All the political banter needs to stop. Its not about one political party over the other, its about our country.
Like Bush or Obama, they got a second chance at a term to run their country.
The PLP got that chance, failed and now Bermuda is in a huge hole.
Its time for change, regardless of the party.
So let me guess when a former PLP insider (and Mr. Markham has been intimately involved with the PLP for a long time) reveals what the PLP’s strategies is all about (as if we didn’t know) he should just be dismissed as talking nonsense.
But when an ex-UBPer decides to spill the beans on the inner workings of the Party it is gospel and the people who revealed it all are saviors?
PS: For clarification the report was written ABOUT the PLP and their tactics. It was not written FOR them.
But in all honestly anyone could’ve written this as the only truly transparent thing about the PLP is their intentinally divisive tactics to hang onto power by any means necessary. Even if that means a more polarized and hateful Bermuda. You get what you vote for.
A good question from a poster on another forum: “Ms. Cox, you say Mr. Markham’s report was not written for the PLP, but it certainly was written about the PLP. Is that true? And if it is, then are you not manipulated people through the colour of their skin the same as you accuse the UBP of having done?”
How awful having to defend your party against allegations of racism in a report written NOT about your party but about another organization.
NOW YOU KNOW HOW IT FEELS PAULA!!!!!!!!
Cos Young Progressives aren’t connected to PLP at all. Yeah right !!!!!!!
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH
Pot – Kettle.
Paula Cox Hits Back.
Please.
Am I missing something here?
It’s all bullsh_t.
Who controls this woman.
Really.
E BRown all the way
and paying the attorneys with what money?
The PLP has secret documents! They are called the Governments financial statements!
The accountant general is on leave.
Go figure a$%holes.
WHY DID VSB APOLOGIZE AND RETRACT THEIR STATEMENT????????
Because it was blatantly untrue!
The only thing untrue is that it wasn’t written for the PLP.
Rather it was written ABOUT the PLP by an insider. What is true is those divisive tactics are exactly what they employ election-after-election as a simple means to retain power. They are more than willing to destroy this island socially for their own selfish wants. Argue it all you want, but the facts remain.
Bermuda all the way, is something I wish I would here as opposed to the political party cheerleading.
So sad.
It wasn’t a forgery, and Markham was a consultant to the PLP.
Looks like they’ve been caught red handed.
Are you dumb or something? Seriously the moderator at Bernews should block stupid comments @MAAAAN
The PLP and their die hard fans are always saying that “white people” do not want to join them or never vote for them……………..
Is it any wonder?
After this expose, it is now CONFIRMED what we all knew in our hearts what was TRUELY IN THEIR HEARTS!
I have always voted PLP and am really disappointed to yet again hear all the racial bickering…”surrogates” in one party..”token whites” in PLP etc. I understand the struggles of the past…really and feel ashamed that white people could treat the black community in such a brutal way. I am white and always considered myself working class because I have had to work hard for everything. We need strong, honest people who have the integrity and vision to bring this country out of this current financial mess….no matter who is to blame we must consider our future generations and work on how to get the national debt down and people back in work. I am really disappointed in the PLP and have yet to decide who is worthy of my trust to represent me and everyone else in Parliament. My black husband and I just get more discouraged because we have not been able to see a shift in working towards harmony for a better Bermuda…
What a complete JOKE! She says the PLP is the party of transparency and they don’t believe in cover ups! What dream world is the Premier living? The Auditor General would disagree. If that was true she would have demanded Burgess resign from the party and given the Auditor General full access the to all files within Government. What a bunch of liars, deceivers. God save us from the PLP.
And the real problem with that report, is that we all believe the PLP do operate like this. It is all about race for them.
It’s time for progress. Here’s a great quote from a documentary “180 Degrees South”
“And in response to people saying you can’t go back…well what happens when you get to the cliff and you take one step forward or you take a 180 degree turn and you take one step forward, which way are you going? and which is progress???”
This is an unfortunate confusion, but I can see where the confusion is. This has been the PLP’s election strategy for the last several elections. Make the black community think there is a plan by the white community to keep them oppressed, emotional flog them repeatedly with this idea to keep them in line for votes, and highlight that evidence of this is that the white community aren’t flocking to the PLP flag.
Wow!!!!
Took all this time for someone to lay it on the line.
Well said Building.
Ewart deceived us.
AND NOW THE VSB HAVE APOLOGISED FOR TEH REPORT!!
Kudos to Premier Cox. An example for Leader Cannonier. When issues arise you lead from the front and you definitely do not abruptly run from questions at a press conference!
There is no comparison. The PLP press conference was to do with a report that was incorrectly linked directly to the PLP. The RG reporter asked a very simple question that related to the topic. The OBA press conference was to discuss crime. The reporter was rude and wanted to provoke Craig Cannonier with a matter that had been flogged to death already. Craig provided a very from the heart response.
Let’s be honest here. Attacking Paula Cox would be like attacking your grandmother. It wouldn’t be right so of course she has an easy time.
Cox doesn’t have to “run” because she never shows up. She’s been missing for weeks. There’s plenty of questions reporters would want to ask her.
” The OBA press conference was to discuss crime.”To address black people as surrogates , uneducated and collectively , their only redeeming value is a vote . Well to me that’s right on the border to criminality . The reporter was right to ask the question as a black reporter who wanted to know the truth .
The PLP has been exposed as a party that cynically uses race to create hate. The cat is out of the bag. This consultant, Markham, did work for the PLP and no other political party, for 15+ years. Trying to distance the PLP from him now is ridiculous. The PLP uses the exact tactics described in his report.
Whether or not it was written for the PLP is irrelevant. The report speaks many truths and fit the PLP’s PROVEN strategy to the letter. We saw it in 2007, we’re seeing it now and we’ve seen it constantly between the these two elections.
Whats sad and even angering is that the PLP beats the race drum, stirs up emotions and my normally right thinking friends and family follow like mice behind the Pied Piper JUST like the report says and they don’t even see it.
My generation didn’t grow up with these types of race issues but since 2007 my generation have been talking like they have. It’s not the fault of the younger generation, its our elders that have let us down. I feel like i’m living in the 1960′s but I was born in the 1980′s…this can’t be right.
Yeah. I know rubber bong. Same here. Some people can’t see the wood for the trees, I swear. And the sad thing is that it all shows a lack of love for our island. It’s very very sad.
It’s past time for EVERYONE here to put down the weapons of hatred with which they have been beating each other and pick up some tools and start rebuilding this place, together, before it is too late. I’m not big on quoting Bible verses, but here’s a good one Isaiah 2:4:
They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore.
It’s time for the Black Beret Cadre and their Jamaican ties to be ignored.
They have theirs.
The people?
WHEN IS THE NEXT OBA PRESS CONFERENCE? WHY HAVE THEY GONE SO QUITE RECENTLY.WHEN WILL THEIR FEARLESS LEADER SURFACE??
The OBA’s birth certificate has the UBP as its father and the BDA as its mother . SAD will be on its death certificate . Soon come !!
Al least using your analogy the OBA has a father and mother so is a normal nuclear family. What’s on the PLP’s birth certificate?
Same difference, NLP is the murdered father and the Black Berets gave birth to them.
I was talking across the hedge to my neighbor , an old white dude named Hamish . I said ,’Hamish this NEW OBA party ain’t worth s#it to the OLD UBP”,. He replied ‘OHhh yes they are , and that’s about all their worth .’
They don’t know who the father is.
I just listened to the premier on the news rambling about transparentcy… Thin started to think of all the papers and reports that the plp commissioned and we aid for that will never see the light of day… Transparent my.. Butt!!
Monty, what about the Black Beret Cadre and all the members that are still there in the PLP.
Irony.
Dame Smith says they’re “freedom fighters”…oh wait, she is one…
Back in those days you needed a Black Beret Cadre for the foolishness that was happening in Bermuda. Let’s cut this discussion seriously.
@ M3ke: For once, I agree with you. The Black Beret Cadre had a purpose back in the 70s. I was one, too. We were all big on revolution back then, but not so big on what would replace the status quo. Looking back, we were very nihilistic (from the Webster dictionary: a doctrine or belief that conditions in the social organization are so bad as to make destruction desirable for its own sake independent of any constructive program or possibility)
40 years later, Bermuda has changed considerably, and many of us who were Berets and PLP supporters have also changed. Destruction for the sake of destruction no longer makes sense, and destruction to provide a megalomaniac with a platform to become a dictator is notably less appealing.
The Black Beret Cadre was an organization fashioned after the White Knuckled Cadre who bulldozed black families off of their land in Tuckers Town .
One big difference though . The Black Beret Cadre didn’t have the backing of the government , so therefore had no real power to effect any change .
You have no idea of Bermudas history do you?
Keturah , there are things about Bermudas history that my family went through , Girl you don’t know and I’m sure you won’t care IF you knew . Certain places and smells takes me back to some of that HISTORY everytime I’m exposed to it .
So St davids wasn’t taken, prospect land, Ireland island…I can name more….all in the name of progress? I have no doubt that you have vivid memories of the PAST….but now all you do Is propagate hatred and division over long ago events. You don’t bring people together to find solutions to our differences. I have an avid interest in the past and do care..but not if it is wrapped in hatred and punishment towards those who had nothing to do with it.
There wer a lot of white families as well as black who lost their land in those areas, is my point btw. And, no, they werent given an option any more than tuckers town people.
Cox denied Brown was doing anything wrong so why on earth should we believe anything she says now, 1.5 billion in debt…we believe that!
So, you would ride on the coattails of the media when they ask the OBA of “alleged” Documents, but condemn them when they question you?
That’s a rhetorical question right?
Pala Cox handled that with pure style and she welcomed the reporters to ask questions and they even went quiet for a min..then they started asking questions and even when they cut her off she stopped and listened…PURE CLASS…..Craig was all angry and acting like a power starved mule and as if he does not have to answer any questions…Beautiful Mrs Cox!!!
PLP has made mistakes but still deserves power lol what a bold statement lol
You’re GOD allows you to see the splinters in others eyes but denies you the power to see the beam in your own . Really seek GOD and HE will reveal himself .
Beam he said beam ….would that be a cedar beam …..LOL
LOL you walked head first into that one……….
More Jerry Springer Shyte…..Secret Plans from the UBP that match the game plan and the thoughts of a former PLP insider that match the game plan….Bermudians are so slow to connect the dots. This is politics folks…. Living in the past, looking in the rear view mirror as cannonier put it, will continue to be our undoing. One party ain’t doing shyte but spreading Jerry Springer Shyte and ignoring the mess we are in, and the other party trying to address the debt and overspending issues, trying to stop the loss of GDP, stop the shooting, and mis-education in public schools. Well who the fc#k do you think gets my vote?
It seemed like Gary Moreno was a little hostile almost bullyish when he kept asking Mr.Markham if the report was written for the PLP and Mr. Markham stated it was written for “members” of the PLP but not for the party on a whole.He admitted he was a consultant for the PlP up until yesterday an he went on to say he was bothered by how race was used in the election campaign, seems a bit hypocritical for him to say this since he has been a consultant for all these years and this is no new tactic….I don’t trust him…but I do feel a little sorry for him.
Markham was lying through his teeth. Everyone could see it, how much are they paying him to keep quiet?
I wish there was a way to go back in time on the internet, because I swear there was a link on the PLP website to the Young Progressives.
Profile of Walter Roban as per the PLP website 0815 December 6, 2012
….. verbatim
A young man with a passion for politics and the community, he joined the Bermuda Progressive Labour Party Youth Wing, “Progressive Youth”, in the late 1980′s. He served as its Chairman and representative to the party’s Central Committee from 1991 to 1993…….
Leopards don’t change their spots
Now what you say !!!!
@ Liars
Progressive Youth was the name of the PLP youth group in the 1980s.
As corrected and apologised by VSB, the Markham report was associated with the Young PROGRESSIVES!!!
They are a totally separate group without affiliation to the PLP.
Minister Roban is a passionate and capable memebr of the PLP team.
Especially when he gives out SDO’s to his fellow parliamentarians…
Markham advised the PLP for 15 years. The report describes the tactics of the PLP accurately. Join the dots.
This government is insecure and hesitant to release their platform in fears of loosing more supporters.
If I had a doctor who, while supposedly doing exploratory surgery, took out my ovaries, womb and one of my kidneys, all of which were healthy, would I say, “he’s made mistakes, but he deserves another chance?” and let him operate again?