Marc Bean: “We Lost Touch, Lost Our Way”
[Written by Opposition Leader Marc Bean] Since December 17th many politicians and political thinkers have been focused on understanding why the PLP lost and what the next five years will hold for Bermudians. For many families however, those issues take a back seat to figuring out how to pay their bills, feed their children and find a job.
Bermudians are deeply concerned about rising costs that are destroying their quality of life. In some, there is a growing feeling of being displaced, pushed aside and unwanted in their own country. More and more, our people are becoming dissatisfied at a social, economic and political structure that benefits the few and down presses the many. Some have given up on political solutions to what are essentially social and economic challenges.
By their vote and by their absence, Bermudians voted for change and The PLP has to change as well. We lost on December 17th, but we had lost touch, lost our way and lost our connection to the people long before that historic date with destiny. As many of our mothers taught us, “Those who do not listen, must feel.” We did not listen, you expressed your dissatisfaction, disillusion and disappointment and we felt it at the polls. Now we are ready to listen.
Because of our collective action and inaction, you had come to believe that all politicians were the same that our promises meant nothing and that no matter who formed the government your life wouldn’t change in any appreciable manner. The lessons we’ve learned are simple; if we don’t stand for you, you will not stand with us. If we do not focus on the things that matter to you, The PLP will not matter to you. If we do not acknowledge our mistakes, learn from them and never repeat them, you will not acknowledge that we have changed and will not support us.
Over the coming years, we intend to show you that we have learned, have changed and can be different. We will do this not through flowery words or through outlandish promises, but by our action. First, we are reaching out and reconnecting with you through town hall meetings, open mic nights and of course, canvassing. We will take your advice, criticism and when necessary chastisement, in the interest of building a new PLP that speaks for you, works for you and fights for you.
To change, we must encourage, support and enable a new generation of leadership to step to the forefront. New ideas, new ways of doing things and a new vision will have to be welcomed, embraced and given an opportunity to prosper. All while honoring and cherishing the wisdom and experience of those who came before us.
To transform into a new Progressive Labour Party we must, with our partners in the Unions, craft a 21st century vision for Labour. The PLP has learned that to be Pro-Labour we must also be Pro-business, as it is businesses and job creators that create opportunities for jobs for workers. We must expand on this lesson and craft a vision that moves beyond discussions of wages and benefits, but to one of ownership and empowerment.
We have learned that “nanny government” has stifled the growth, development and political and social maturity of our people. We suffer from a collective dependency with a focus on consuming instead of producing. To change and combat this, we must craft a vision that creates a path for individual self-determination with a view towards expanding our perception of what we are capable of and what we can do for ourselves.
As we change to reflect the changes in our people, we must also remember the values of those who came before us. Values that speak to fairness and a vision of a Bermuda where if you work hard, educate yourself and persevere you will not be obstructed or impeded remain our values. Values that speak to faith and not being content to prosper while our neighbour suffers remain our values.
We lost power on December 17th but have gained something better. The opportunity to get back to our roots, take a long critical look at ourselves and make real lasting positive change in both our Party and in our country.
We in the Progressive Labour Party know that we still have a long way to go to earn back your trust, faith and support. But we are prepared to put in the work to earn it. You require and deserve a strong voice that will put Bermudians first, that will champion the forgotten and the suffering and that will empower our people. I hope that you will join us as we build a Progressive Labour Party that can accomplish all of these things and even more.
- Marc Bean
Attacking the OBA didn’t work, so let’s throw a pity party
Oh wait, no
Let’s just pretend we’re sorry
We need more money
PLP all the way.
As everyone is entitled to their own opinion I respect yours.Imo the difference here between the former UBP goverment and the former PLP government( no matter what one chooses to take from this staetment)is that not only has the PLP took time to analyse their position after their election loss ,they have admitted to the public their mistakes,I only wish that the UBP had the decency to do the same.It might have made a difference for them.
come on errin…bermuda was another world under the ubp…bermuda was on top under the ubp…statistics dont lie,so i have been told. i jus wish you all would leave the old millenium and join us in the new millenium…history is essential but should not be at the forefront of our quest to survive…
Obviously you didn’t or couldn’t comprehend the point being made. The point is that the PLP has chosen to acknowledge their wrong doings. The first step in any type of recovery is admission,if I am to beleive what I have been told. I dont defend wrong and I am not pro or anti PLP,UBP or OBA. I am pro right and anti wrong. Please correct me if I am wrong but is it a contradiction to talk about the past yourself and then wish that others leave the old millenium and join you in the new millenium?
If the ubp was so good why change the name?
ok errin…they didnt choose , they had no choice,if the public had kept quiet i dont think they would have acknowledge their wrong doings…jus my observation.
I respest your observation,but I don’t feel that they where forced( maybe pressured, I am not sure) to acknowledge their wrong doings therefore giving them a choice, they didn’t have to take this step.What the real reason is for this acknowledgement, I dont know nor do I know how genuine it is ,only those invovled will know and only time will tell.By the way it is refreshing to have a discussion via a blog with someone who seems to have some intelligence and can actually type a sensible comment reflecting your opinion, whether others agree or not.
i dont think they changed their name…isnt there still a UBP…might only be 2 members but it hsnt changed…YOU the anti UBP rebels are the ones saying that the OBA is the New UBP…as far as im concerned , there couldnt be a better name than “UNITED” Bermuda Party…im jus sayin
If this name change was so obvious why were they still voted in?
“Too little too late and too bad” Now do what is left for you to do and that is, to be the “opposition” and leave the O.B.A. to moving all of us on this Island forward…without the bickerin’
Mark reminds me of the song “You are everything to me”. He is all inclusive; labor, ownership, mistakes, honoring the people who made the mistakes, for the people but not a nanny, for growth but protection. I am so confused! Son you talk too much. Go away for a while.
“We lost on December 17th, but we had lost touch, lost our way and lost our connection to the people long before that historic date with destiny.”
While that is true, I don’t believe that is the main reason…. the PLP politicians deliberately lied to all Bermudians including their constituents and took every last penny and $2 billion more and lined their greedy pockets… IMO… Dec 17th saw a good portion of the population who may have voted PLP either change their vote or opt out. The PLP has by their rhetoric and actions excluded 40% of the voters even considering them simply because of their racist attitude – politically stupid …
There are a lot of white folks who are very much labor oriented who would have supported the PLP original tenets but would never consider it especially following Dictator Evil Brown’s days..
What I read above is encouraging if followed through. Mr Bean’s first speech was also encouraging. Unfortunately, the Opposition seems hell bent on disrupting …well, everything. Until the PLP can put aside the Party and put Bermuda first I really don’t see things changing quickly enough because the OBA needs valuable input from everyone!!! We know the PLP has some very good people – let’s allow them to help.
PLP can put their Party hat back on, say, a year before the next election but in the meantime we (Bermuda) need your expertise!!!
PLEASE!
As Bean said on the radio, when you Oba folks say put party aside and put Bermuda first, what you are really saying is that you want him and the PLP to lay down and appease you and your self interest. Nothing about the Oba has put Bermuda first, and, if it’s appeasement that you want, don’t you have enough surrogates in your party, from the premier down, to satisfy your misguided lust for money, control, and power? Demonic? Hahaha! No term has described the OBA better then that! Live with it Oba.
You left out Col. Burch, he was so disliked by our IB community for his attitude and actions.
Fashioning supplication into courtesy it seems. All very nice words, but history will show the PLP offered no franchise and gave no quarter to the downtrodden Bermudian. These days that is every single one of us. Thank jah almighty the average tenure of a government in a parliamentary system is 10-15 years.
Bernews I think it is very disrepectful for this person to be using the late Geoffrey Bing’s name.
@LaVerne Furbert
Was the Mr Bing you are referring to the only person on the planet whose first name is/was Geoffrey? If not, how can you be certain that the poster is attempting to assume your Mr Bing’s name?
Am I missing something?
Ride
Who is/was Geoffrey Bing? I’ve never heard of him.
According to Facebook there is a Geoffrey Bing alive and well in Finchley.
Maybe LaVerne has a thing for him?
Mr. Bean, your apology does not go near far enough – Your former leader and Premier Ewart Brown practiced what was effectively — cleansing against fellow Bermudians; not to mention all his other sins, especially those of enrichment at the taxpayers expense. Until you renounce this sordid chapter in our history that occurred on your party’s watch, you remain nothing but a bunch of sordid thugs who hijacked a legitimate party and betrayed the aspirations of many thousands of Bermudians
Very good op-Ed leader Bean. For all the negativity that the Oba and their supporters have been throwing out there, desperate for the PLP to crumble, you have shown, once again, why you were elected Party Leader of the PLP. Under your leadership, the PLP will continue to get stronger, and you will soon be our Premier. I fully support your vision for the PLP and Bermuda as a whole. Don’t let the haters out there bother you, just stay focused. They don’t realize that under your leadership, the PLP is internally, the most organized I’ve seen in decades. That Leader Bean, makes the OBA very afraid. Expect them to continue to attack you personally, but by all accounts, I don’t think they will be able to get to you. They underestimate you and the rest of us, but no worries, keep us focused. Btw, can anybody tell me who the Oba leader is, and I he/she is willing or able to write and speak to the people in this country without everything being scripted? Doubt it!
Is this the lion on the inside and the lamb on the outside strategy?
“To change and combat this, we must craft a vision that creates a path for individual self-determination with a view towards expanding our perception of what we are capable of and what we can do for ourselves.”
Is this the new clarion call for independence?
Marc,
take some free advice.
go out and start having honest conversations with everyone, not just the people who are smiling with you now because they feel you can do something for them if the PLP becomes the government again
please also spend some time building new relationships especially with people who have had the testicular fortitude to openly critisize the PLPs loss you might be surprised how helpful these people can be
know one thing Marc, if you take the easy route of following what the previous PLP leaders have taught you then you will fail
good luck and please be honest about making changes in the PLP
You all won’t find yourselves until you start working for BERMUDA and in conjunction with the OBA more. Good Luck!!
Are they still going on about their loss?
Cheekums.
Move on already.
Trying to make people think you’ve ‘changed’.
Why not? OBA are still blaming everything under the sun on them. OBA promised change but has only given excuses…
For a person who goes by the name “Time Shall Tell” you sure are an impatient one.
What’s the time limit on blame then? 3 months?
In that case, I guess you won’t mind if people stop blaming others for things that happened 150 years ago, right?
There was a time when I used to like Marc. When I hear his voice I hear anger and sentiment similar to that of Lavern Furberts, the Colonel, Derrick’s and Ewart’s. I think that he will have a hard time convincing persons like myself that he is different in his mindset. If I don’t see some serious changes in the PLP over the next few years then the party will lose my vote…..again.
When I hear his voice I start to go to sleep……the proof will be his actions and not his words as for all of the complaining you do about the OBA Bean has been just as vocal and negative….personally I do not believe a word that comes out of his mouth and this latest speech is an attempt to show humility and appease the base
I think the PLP need to go away for awhile. There is still alot of hostility towards them stemming from the ruins they left this Island in.
“Lost our way.” That would explain Spice Hill, if Mr. Bean would only address Spice Hill. Zero credibility for Mr. Bean and Mr. Daniels until his planning decisions are explained.
Yes, Mr. Bean, you have spoken about everything but Spice Hill. That is why our party lost. Please explain for all of our sakes.
Anybody know the status of the “temporary” buildings at Spice Hill farm. If they are still there, why are they still there?
Actions speak louder than words. I’m reserving judgement as this man seems to have suddenly found religion after being a Cabinet Member of a losing Govt. Didn’t he hear us all asking the PLP to change their path over the past 5 years? All the letters to the Editor, demonstrations, protests, on-line comments, Town Hall meetings etc. etc..
Hey Marc,what is your position on smoking spliffs?
Mr. Bean, as the new leader of the PLP, I have a few thoughts that I would like to share with you.
1. If you do not openly condemn the real and perceived corruption, nepotism and the seemingly general acceptance by members within your party doing things that are “unethical but not illegal”, it wiil be impossible for you to create the “New” Party that you hope to create. If you do not openly address and condemn those things, those who no longer support the PLP will continue to not support them because it appears to be business as usual. You have to distance yourself from those things- The truth will set you free.
2. You must not just be the leader, you must be seen to be the leader. You need to control the message of your members. If you are speaking one language publicly and your MPs are openly speaking another, that undermines your leadership. If they won’t get in line in private there must be a public action to remedy that problem.
3. The criticisms of the current Govt., need to have substance. Stay away from trying to score cheap political points. That may appease a certain segment within the party but for those of us whose votes you lost, you will continue the isolate us. We are smarter than what some of your MP’s think we are. We can see through the fluff and the weak arguments hurt you.
4. The BIU is out of control. It’s altered ideology is out of step with reality. The PLPs relationship with the BIU is hurting the party. There are tough but necessary decisions that need to be made within that relationship if you are going to win the Govt back.
I could go on but the gist is that real leadership is difficult and proves to be a very lonely place at times. Time will tell, what kind of leader you choose to be.
Who cares
Marc Bean: “We Lost Touch, Lost Our Way”
that is a crock of shite and you know it!
The plp was kicked out because people wanted rid of the plp,they had taken enough of the plp’s ways!
i dont know about you but i see it like this…the present govt. is trying to unite bermudians by involving the former govt. and working together for the betterment of us all…something that i never heard from the past govt. but yet i hear nothing but conspiracy theorists who obviously are attempting to racially divide…why is that ..? i have a theory too but i think it is to complex for your feeble little minds to comprehend.
they’re starting to get it but please spare me LOL
until than, they need to let the grown ups do the work to clean up the previous administrations mess.
“Lost our way”
Ewart Brown didn’t loose his way! He went from A to B and achieved his aim.
Marc bean,
Were was u when I keep going 2 police n ubp, plp n d priemer now dis hateful oba, about my son getting shot n all the m.p turn there back, n they say people don’t want 2 help but when u help u get f$%k, I luv my island but they like out sider first our bda people last I can stand nun of those partys,they are all for them self, n who don’t like it u no wat u can do cause I try 2 speak the truth n shame the devil, cause I no u have 2 ans 2 god, people just live 4 today like they don’t have 2 ans 4 there sins on judgement day.
Ps. Real talk but God got me n my fam on a real, who god bLess no man our women curse.
learn to write and people might read what you write!
Good morning Bernews
I posted a comment that is still awaiting moderation. When you can, I’d appreciate you posting it
The PLP done some things right and Somthings absolutely crazy.
In many cases they became uppity as we say in Bermuda and simply thought that they were in forever.
—— but they messed up real bad on the Money ,the Economics and no longer respected the feelings of the common
man because they were living high on the horse.
in many cases they defeated themselves.
In my constituency I has to deal with the most unfriendliest MP ever! Jennifer Smith – and although I voted for her for several elections – I simply had to place my vote on a person who’s heart was into the progress of the area where I live
and showed genuine care. – I can talk to Kenny!
The PLP needs to get over it. — it’s no need keep trying to explain how you lost because we already know.
When any Govt. screws up on the Money than the people stop believing in them.
It is good to be able to acknowledge that you were wrong, however it also highlights that you deliberately took the Bermudians of everything that we had worked hard to achieve. Can a leopard change its spots? All that crap about standing Strong for Bermuda was deliberate deception on all fronts. All those eloquent words mean nothing to the countless Bermudians that are presently unemployed and walk around the island watching countless foreign workers heading into offices, restaurants, construction, and all other employment sectors to work. All this was encouraged by Mr. Beans party and he towed the party line. Now, after he has experienced a come to Jesus moment (December 17,2012) he has a revelation that the PLP lost its way. What a laugh. I doubt that we would have had the privilege of this humble pie experience if the PLP had returned to power. I am not saying that the OBA have it all together either but in my opinion, I think that we need to focuse on helping each other rather than all the bickering and attacking each other. We live in a very small space in the world, we are competing with the global market place and that battle is going to heat up even more and we will have casualties. I agree that the PLP need to go off and regroup and to give great thought to how they destroyed such a lovely island. They offered little things like freebies to keep the sheeple quiet. Now we see that nothing is free. Everything has to be paid for by someone or it will not be sustainable. December 17, 2012 was a paradigm shift for Bermuda. We will no longer be sleeping on the sidelines thinking that our people have our backs, we must be vigilant and keep any government accountable. The major focus now should be getting the Bermudian experience back. Tourist visiting the island are always looking for authentic Bermudian food. Unfortunately we have everything else except Bermudian foods cooked by Bermudians. It is insulting to have imitations of our native foods offered as Bermudian. Everything has Indian, phillipino, Italian, etc. flair. I am not against these cultures but they can’t cook decent Bermudian cuisine period. It would be a much better experience to have Bermudians cooking our food here on our island. The other cuisines could also be an option.
Well said Mr.Bean, I can see that the PLP are growing stronger as a united party. Keep pushing on, and working in the best interest of the people. I am happy to see that the PLP are also a very strong Opposition, and this I think many did not expect. I am most excited about the number of younger persons taking on leadership positions within the PLP. This is exciting, and key to re-building a strong party. These younger persons are extremely intelligent and full of knowledge. Keep working for all of Bermuda, to ensure that their interest are protected and provided for. I think this strong Opposition, is somewhat of a real concern to the OBA, as folks believed the Opposition would become weak and ineffective, and die off, but just the opposition has taken place. Hang in there, I think you have already won the hearts of many back in your support.
@Ringmaster, Geoffrey Bing was a white Advisor to the PLP back in the sixties, a Socialist I believe; Google his name he was an adviser to President Nkrumah of Ghana!!!
They didn’t “lose their way”. They got caught with they hand in the cookie jar too often. They’re a bunch of selfish people and everone knows it.
Nuffin but d truth,
Im sorry if u r slow but what is it that u dont understand,do I need 2 put it in capitial letters.
I am curious about something and can’t find the answer online. If anyone knows the answers, I would appreciate a post. Marc Bean attended three colleges. Did he get a degree from one of them? Where has he worked other than in government?
I’m sure that with their recent focus on ‘transparency’, some PLP die hard will come on and clear this up. His bio, as shown on the PLP website, says he ‘attended’ a few places but doesn’t ever mention graduation, other than to say he has a pilot’s licence.
I think that one of the big mistakes that the former PLP government made when in power; was that it was timid to make those real reforms that would have made a big difference in Bermuda’s social and economic paradigm. We must except that Bermudians benifited from a certain level of affluence or standard of living. the question is how that came about?
There has long being the myth that under the former UBP government or the government of no as I like to call it; Bermuda was govern by a benevolent; wise political leadership. But the truth is that without the
struggles of the trade union movement led by the workers spear head; the BIU; much of what Bermudians were able to enjoy would have never came about. the other factor was the work ethic of Bermdians. much malign by those who would have us believe other wise; It is forgotten that most Bermudians worked two jops. that is how we built our homes; educated ur children and generally enjoyed that higher standard of living. We were in fact living at a higher stage of comsumerism which now in this declining era of economic prosperity comes as a great shock to many Bermudians. but before this state of affairs manifest itself the PLP as government was well aware of the above reality and even though it did many things and put in a great number of social policies that were never seen under the former UBP government of no; it was loath to embark on the type of economic and social policies that would have really impacted the Bermuda’s reality in terms of real economic reforms like a reform tax system to name one important aspect. remember the PLP back off the idea of unemployment insurance which it tried to advance in the early stages of the economic recession. what if they had stood thier ground on that issue as it refuse to down size the government work force? It might have very well taken the chill off Bermuda’s growing unemployment situation; as people would have been given a economic life line as small as it might have been. We might not be talking abut an anti-Bermudian regime; the OBA government as those many voters in the PLP’s political base that did not come out to vote; may have made the politcal difference. I am sure that opposition leader Bean has taken this lesson to heart.
The PLP was “timid” ?
Other than hiring 2,500 more government employees than it needed. And other than running up $1.5bn in debt. And other than blatantly enriching its elite leadership. And other than alienating IB with its stupid zenophobic rhetoric.
If they hadn’t been “timid” Gid knows what would have happened.
Sadly Marc Bean cannot take the PLP to a victory at the polls.
The PLP MUST lose another election for the hangers on and Johnny come latelys who have already stuck themselves to Marc Bean’s hip, to finally disappear back to listening to talk shows
My bet is on Kim Wilson or David Burt being the next PLP leader in say 8 years to lead the PLP or a new Party to defeat the OBA which in 8 years time will also implode due to petty bickering and people wanting to drive in GP1…………….actually the bickering has already started due to the UBP people who were left out of the Senate
The PLP is imploding as it is. Marc Bean? That one came from way out in left field! Terry Lister, one of the few who had any credibility in that party, saw the writing on the wall. At least there is a level of accountability in the government now.
“baaaaah,baaaaah,baaaaah!”
Blah, blah, blah….You OBA fakes are poison to the minds of the people. All you do is sit behind computers all day and attack people. The PLP Leader has expressed the way he feels about his party and what he intends to do to build it back up to the standard the people want in order to gain their confidence again. Clearly you are afraid of this. All your post show that. Why are you so hell bent on trying to spin and manipulate his words? He doesn’t need your “free advice” or condescending remarks because you don’t know what you are talking about. You’re just posting to distract from his message, that’s your agenda.
MP Bean, stand tall and continue to speak the truth, the people hear you and appreciate your honesty, under your leadership the PLP will prevail. That is what scares these folk who post on here so much. You are doing the right thing.
What “scares” me is he possibly bent the law for a friend(s) and he is getting a pass. That’s the only thing that scares me. Why would I be afraid of a small town politician? Nothing to be afraid of there.
Just so everyone will understand, I’m not an OBA supporter, I’m not afraid, I’m not jealous, I’m just p***ed off. He needs to explain Spice Hill, and the other planning decision or he needs to sit down and shut up.
I hate to say this however , folks in general are on a new project as it were. Righting the Ship.
The thing was capsized and sinking , luckily there were enough folks who understood the need to put forth the extra effort to right it.
Words are to be spoken when everyone is back on board and the sail is full with people all doing their part to see things are staying that way ..
there is a message for you . Help keep it a float or take your capsizing carcass off the boat.Grab a bucket and bail if there is nothing you can think of doing other than babbling at the moment.
i know that sounds harsh buh brother that is the reality of the situation.