One Bermuda Alliance Hosts Annual Conference
[Updated] The One Bermuda Alliance is holding its annual Conference this evening [Oct 19] at the Fairmont Southampton, and while media coverage of the event is not permitted, the party is live tweeting updates.
OBA members had been due to elect a Leader and Deputy Leader to four-year terms and the Chairman and Deputies to two-year terms, however Leader Craig Cannonier and Deputy Leader Michael Dunkley were not challenged and will continue to serve in their current roles for the next four years.
Update: The Conference has ended and a brief recap, gleaned from the Twitter feed, is below.
St. George’s MP Nandi Outerbridge opened the conference with an “inspiring speech on her reasons for running”, which was followed by Party Chairman Thad Hollis commenting on the progress and change since the OBA formed 25 months ago.
Mr Hollis said, “We were founded to promote social and economic equality for all – leaving no one behind.”
Minister of Public Safety and Deputy Premier Michael Dunkley said “There have been too many funerals, there have too many young lives wasted,” and also said “gun violence is a cancer that is sucking the life out of our society.”
Finance Minister Bob Richards then spoke, and was followed by Tourism Minister Shawn Crockwell who said, “We will get our tourism industry going again, that’s what we were elected to do and that’s what we’ll get done.”
Minister of Home Affairs Michael Fahy — who Senator Jeff Baron said was “a man whose every move causes a march on Parliament” — spoke next and said, “‘No matter now unpopular our decisions may seem – if policies aren’t working; we change them.”
Minister Fahy also said, “Our responsibility is to the people of Bermuda no matter their political persuasion.”
Speaking next was Minister of Community, Culture and Sport Wayne Scott who highlighted the OBA’s “proud achievement in amending the Human Rights Act,” and added “we are about strengthening families and getting people back to work.”
Next to speak, at least according to the Twitter feed, was Premier Craig Cannonier who said, “We were elected to remind Bermuda that we are our brothers’ keeper,” and called the OBA the “people’s party.”
The OBA’s Twitter feed is below:
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Articles that link to this one:
- Thad Hollis: ‘OBA Founded To Give Real Change’ | Bernews.com | October 20, 2013
Michael …. Do you mean TO SAY THAT THERE ARE TO MANY BLACK YOUNG MEN BEEN KILLED… OR ARE YOU AFRAID TO SHOW YOU FEELING FOR BKACK PEOPLE IN FRONT OF YOUR WHITE AUDIENCE!!!
Wow – Maddog??? It usually takes a bit longer for you and your racist friends show up. If you offer only divisive comments and have nothing positive or constructive to offer, go crawl under a rock. Most of the planet is trying to move forward and fight racism – and then there are individuals like you.
you win the prize for A-hole of the week!
Hey Maddog, if you find literacy a challenge, why take to forums like this? There are restroom walls all over the island, and you can spout your backward bile there. I think its more your style, you can just draw pictures.
@ Maddog i hope your not comparing Michael with the bermuda famous DREB! BTW thats ralph’s favorite line “to many black man been killing each other”
Keep up the good work Mr.Cannonier,we do not want to go back!
@ Realist
You do not want to go back where may i ask?
To an island run by 40 thieves, the original Friend and Family plan, where scores of money went missing and was NEVER investigated, because all the people in charge looked alike.
or do you mean, you do not want to go back to a time, when equal rights ONLY meant equal for some
so what time do you NOT want to go back too.
You sound like you a Republican
That probably Trumpy trying to stir the pot.. As usuall
Both of those describe certain times in the past few years.
And the “Equal rights ONLY meant equal for some” is something we’re dealing with now.
Both parties to a point, but especially the PLP have been VERY outspoken about making sure that equal rights only mean equal for some.
If we’re making analogies to the American system, which one does that parallel? Hmmmmmm?
I agree, the so called hard times the past 4 yrs pale in comparison to what things were like in earlier times. I look around Bermuda today and see the offspring living pretty large. While others are still struggling for equal opportunity.
Oligarchy money will always be around I agree PLP did some unethical things in 14 years but we had 300 odd years of Colonial Oligarchy existence on this Island that is deep rooted in our society that every one tries to ignore, and those of you who’s for-fathers where ostracized during that time of regime and you feel now that you must negate what they stood for and embrace the ideology of the Oligarchy off-spring, are in a state of EMASCULATION. BE WATCHFUL ALWAYS!!
Every time there is an OBA related article, the PLP crazies are sent over to spout post scaremongering, hate and divisiveness.. this is a disgusting practice that is damging this island.
Scaremongering, hate and divisiveness, at what point can these words have a reflection on Bermuda’s history, it’s because of our history is why were damaged and most of us are afraid to deal with it, we just pass each other on the street ,present a fake smile and fade back in our own world. Yes I said it our own world there has always been two worlds in Bermuda, unlike in bigger countries where you can be in community and interact with your own and feel comfortable on a daily basis where as in Bermuda you have to rub shoulders in close proximity.
Dealing with the past sins of our for-fathers will always be painful but burying our heads in the sand is played out.
Mazumbo, is that really you?
Only you went a whole post without using the word “oligarchy” and without ending it LMAO.
Are you unwell?
Hey Mazumbo, if you are uncomfortable with passing people in the street, or if you feel life hasn’t dealt you a fair hand, that has nothing to do with slave owners 150 years ago, and everything to do with the way you approach life.
I can appreciate constructive criticism but refusing to accept and down play the Historical events that helped to shape our island and determine our social status is nothing short of cowardly amnesia. LMAO
Like I said, history isn’t to blame, YOU ARE. The cowardice is in not facing up to this and that giant chip on your shoulder.
Care to offer some REAL solutions to this problem, or will you just continue to use it to push your own racist political agenda?
“Scaremongering, hate and divisiveness”
Are you describing your posts?
At least someone admits it’s a problem and not some far fetched fairy tail. Before you get solutions there has to be an open dialogue and revealed truth but most people are not ready for it? For instance CURE ???????????
Who has denied it’s a problem?
No one is saying it’s not a problem.
The thing is, you guys seem to think it’s only a problem when anyone else does it. When YOU do it? It’s just fine. The tacit and vocal approval of patently false, hateful, racist and divisive posts is proof of this.
And there is one simple solution to THIS specific problem:
Honesty.
If you are TRULY interested in fixing this problem (I’m not convinced you are. It’s the only weapon in your arsenal), then prove it by actually posting honest and real things, and be willing to back them up.
If not, I guess we have your answer…
What a load of rubbish.
You should be ashamed of yourself.
Oh dear Mazumbo, you really do have a very big chip on your shoulder!
Life not worked out as you planned? Felt entitled to run XL because your Daddy was born here? Always making excuses?
Get over yourself boy. And your party are a bunch of half a**….
What did the plp do. Be for real ewart and Paula did a lot of over spending money.
I was there and it was a great night. Jeff Baron proved to be quite the comedian acting something like an mc. Shawn Crockwell said Jeff’s nickname is Tom Cruise, but now he might be called Seinfeld.
We are all in this boat together but look who has the life jackets.
There are no life jackets
For me, while the OBA are far from perfect, they are doing a much better job than the PLP, especially when it comes to dealing with our massive economic challenges. PLP unfortunately have not gotten over losing the election so they have become a nitpicking, resentful opposition rather than becoming a constructive, sensible, accountable opposition. But giving their poor record as a Govt., it is not surprising that they have become a dysfunctional opposition as well. I hope they are able to turn themselves around and become an effective party once again.
Like it or not there never was a “good ole days”. Bermuda can’t look backwards to ideal times which were good for only sectors of the community. We need to create a new vision where all Bermudians rise up together, where all Bermudians are one family. And we don’t want to go back to five years ago when yes there were plenty of consumers to support businesses, but the economy was overheating, prices rising as fast as salaries and the infrastructure was taxed to the limit. We need balance and we need to do it together.
@ Sooooooooo
Sorry to disappoint you but I am who I say I am
@ Hmmmmm
Yes unfortunately time has proven that no matter who is in power, the past, ugly and imperfect has proven that the island is deeply divided not only amongst race but also the have and the have not’s
@ Mike Hinds
Just like the US Republican party, the wealthy UBP/ OBA refuse to become part of the solution. They are the ones who use more scare tactics than any other group or person. They are the ones who make it harder for the average blue collar worker to survive. So if you are looking for parallels no need to look too far, just look in the mirror and tell me what you see.
sorry! THe PLP are JUST LIKE the US Republicans! Dude! The PLP excelled with their scare tactics! Starting with “We had to deceive you” soon followed by “Back to the Plantation” also EB marching into Parliament like a gang of thugs posturing to beat up anyone who disagreed with him…C’mon! And if you think the PLP aren’t wealthy ask yourself where all the $$ went and we are where we are financially. You’re dreaming man.
Just because you watch CNN and alla dat…does not make you knowledgeable about US Politics, which you have no clue if you say OBA is like the Republicans….FAAAAR FROM IT! So stop with your dumba** comparison cuz it aink working. seriously it’s just retarded and so are you!
Completely incorrect.
And racist.
And disgusting.
Demagogues like you are what is wrong with Bermuda politics.
You should be ashamed of yourself.
some ppl really think the OBA are taking us backwards? really? ya’ll talkin stupid stuff about oligarchy 300 yrs and UBP old money 40theives are fulla jokes
So what your saying is that Bermuda’s History is stupid stuff and fulla jokes or are you afraid to admit that history has a funny way of manifesting itself?
Nope. Just the nonsense and misinformation you’re spreading
Can explain the nonsense and misinformation?
Sure. That’s easy.
Go peek at, like, 98% of your posts.
You see how all of them are pretty much false and, like, not true?
That’s what I mean by nonsense and misinformation.
Got it?
The most salient point of the whole Conference for me and many others was Bob Richards saying that the next Budget was going to be a “watershed” moment and a lot of people were not going to be happy about it. The OBA seem ready to start making the really tough decisions that have to be made for the betterment of Bermuda as a whole. I like Bob’s candor and determination. It is going to be bitter medicine for all of us. Can’t wait until February to find out the details…
@ haha
re·tard
verb
1. delay or hold back in terms of progress, development, or accomplishment.
Sounds just like the UBP/ OBA to me.
A bunch of retards.
And unlike you, i grew up in the USA, so i am very familiar with the politics there.
Ve·ry
adv.
1. In a high degree; extremely
fa·mil·iar
adj.
2. Having fair knowledge; acquainted:
Yeah. Not so much, if you think you’re correct in your claims here.
Among the people you mix with, is it considered acceptable to use the word “retard” as an insult?
I think it’s disgusting.
dem·a·gogue
noun
plural noun: demagogues
1. A political leader who seeks support by appealing to popular desires and prejudices rather than by using rational argument.
Mike, is that NOT the tune that the OBA sang leading up to the last election.
I don’t even know what this means…
WHAT is “not the tune”?
I do see you’ve defined your side’s modus operandi. (Don’t get much more prejudiced than your “Look in the mirror” line…)
In case you were missing the links between your party and the Republicans, here’s another.
Which party is ACTIVELY trying to restrict equal rights for their country’s citizens? Which party has members and representitives (and a leader!) regularly making bigoted, hateful remarks about an entire sector of the community?
You want to make it about race? Forget that. Let’s make it about hate.
Mike hind, seriously? Which leader in the PLP regularly makes bigoted, hateful remarks? I know Mike Branco and the AG have done so towards Bermudians and Christians, so what are you getting at? I thought you were better then that. FYI, last time I checked, the Premier and the Opposition Leader share the same views re same sex marriage, which is their right. The PLP had a conscience vote…….did you forget?
Um… Mr. Bean. But you know that. You just don’t disagree with him. That doesn’t make what he said NOT hateful and bigoted.
And the Premier has said “It won’t happen while I’m Premier”. How is that in ANY way comparable to what the Opposition Leader said? It’s just not.
Red necks, boy, house n***** and ‘real’ Bermudians are all terms spewed by your party
Restrict equal rights Mike? Where and when? Last time I checked, human rights apply to all, regardless of race, gender etc. Btw, because persons claim special rights does not make it a claim for basic human rights. Thus the confusion by many, inclusive of the churches(with their silly full page ad), and your baseless accusations. Come better Mike
Last time you checked? When was that?
Human rights apply to all, regardless of race, gender, etc. BECAUSE THEY WERE ADDED AS SPECIFICATIONS.
Who is asking for “special rights”? Who?
As for “baseless accusations”, you know better. I don’t make those. I leave that to you and the “Providing evidence is a bad thing” posse.
I have and will ALWAYS back up what I say.
YOU come better. Stop trying to accuse me of your own behaviour.
Concerned Citizen, are you against groups who claim ‘special rights’, or do you support the idea?
@ Mike Hind
Yes look in the mirror and see if you a part of the problem or the solution.
You making assumptions ref race. I guess its a crime for anyone white to be a PLP supporter. Not all white people were born privileged.
and you use the word hate, i guess that’s your get out of jail free card.
Now you’re putting words in my mouth and projecting things onto me.
I never said anything remotely like that.
Please try an ounce of honesty. Please.
@ Mike Hind
You words ” Mike Hind says: October 20, 2013 at 6:09 pm
I don’t even know what this means… Let’s make it about hate.
So I a, guessing either you have a very short memory of what you type or you are not being very honest.
I don’t know what THIS means!
You’re not making any sense. Can you PLEASE explain?