Video: Walton Brown On PRC Holders & Status
Calling it an “issue of national importance”, Shadow Minister for Immigration & External Affairs Walton Brown held a press conference today [June 10] where he reiterated his call for Government to suspend applications for Bermuda status that fall under section 20B, and work on comprehensive immigration reform.
Mr. Brown said, “In 2001, the Progressive Labour Party created the category of Permanent Resident Certificate [PRC] holders.
“That category was created to provide a measure of justice to those long-term residents who have been in Bermuda before July 1989, against the backdrop of the Government in 1989, taking a position that there will be no further discretionary grants of Bermuda status.
“The policy of avoiding and not allowing discretionary grants of Bermuda status has been a policy that’s been in place since 1989. Every successive Government has embraced that policy, and there had been no plans to change it until such time it as we came to a position where there would be a comprehensive reform of the immigration legislation in total.
“The recent judgment by Chief Justice Kawaley has created an avenue for Bermuda status for those residents who hold PRC and therefore have been here before 1989. The numbers, as you have heard, have been presented in varying levels from as low as 1,300 to as many as 6,000.
“The fact of the matter, is that it represents a significant number who if granted in one fell swoop would have a significant impact on Bermuda and opportunities for Bermudians.
“It is as a consequence of this judgment by Chief Justice Kawaley that the PLP proposed an amendment [PDF] to the Immigration Protection Act 1956, which was designed to align the law with what has been policy since 1989.
“The amendment was to repeal section 20b of the relevant Immigration Act. You will note that the last Friday in Parliament, the One Bermuda Alliance Government spoke in unison in rejecting this amendment.
“And not only was it surprising that it was projected in unison, but the manner in which it was rejected indicates that there is a concern about extending status to an even larger number of residents.
20 minute video of Mr. Brown’s press conference today:
Mr. Brown continued, “Our position in 2001, and our position today, is that there needs to be a reform of immigration policy. It needs to be holistic, it needs to take into consideration the right of all who live in this island.
“It needs to take into consideration the rights of Bermudians, PRC holders, long-term residents who are not PRC holders and those who were here on shorter-term work permits
“All have rights…our position is that rights however are not absolute, and the rights that each and everyone is entitled to as well as privileges, need to be balanced with the interest of others.
“And so we have called for Government, in the wake of the rejection of the immigration amendment, to suspend all applications for Bermuda status and initiate a substantial review of this policy.”
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Articles that link to this one:
- Govt Files Appeal In Bermuda Status Case | Bernews.com | June 12, 2014
- PC: Suspend PRC’s Applications For Status | Bernews.com | June 18, 2014
- PLP To Host Town Hall On Immigration & Status | Bernews.com | June 23, 2014
- Two Hour Video: PLP Town Hall On Immigration | Bernews.com | June 27, 2014
http://bernews.com/2014/06/maher-tax-loophole-masquerading-as-country
PLP should be worried about this more than PRC holders
Keep pushing on Mr.. Brown this issue it key. “A Comprehensive Review of our Immigration Laws” is important moving forward for all concern. Government must stand up for its people. Even in the wilderness, one must STAND. Well done !!
Betty…state clearly how this will negatively affect Bermudians. To date, no one has.
Dislikes…perhaps you can answer for Betty. Waiting on your wisdom. Enlighten us.
Walton….c’mon…you say “this rights” and “that rights”, but why can’t you man-up and say HUMAN rights!!!!!!???
Nothing to be heard – Simon and Garfunkle are in the house.
Who are “its people” .??? Everyone of us has ties to somewhere else. The only true Bermudians would be the hogs that were found here when the first settlers arrived.
Betty …by the way I believe we are in this mess because of a law written by Mr Brown and friends. But don’t worry like everything else the PLP destroyed or made a mess of, the OBA will try to do their best to fix it.
Funny how the PLP have a problem with this when in fact one of their self proclaimed great leaders and first National Hero wasn’t born here. Why would you accept her but not others that may offer as much to this country as she did. Would there even still be a PLP without foreign born Dame Lois Browne Evans!
In addition you had no problem with Dr. brown being our countries leader despite the fact that he spent most of his like in Jamaica and the USA. He is an American which I believe means that he should he denounced his citizenship in any other country when becoming american. If I’m wrong I apologise but I’m sure I read that somewhere. The point being that many PRC holders have spent more of their lives in Bermuda and given more back than he has.
So what is the problem here really! Betty , Walton, Chris please respond. Although I doubt you will, you never do,
In order to become a US citizen a foreign national is required (by law) to give up any other citizenship they may have. Admittedly this is often ignored but that’s what the law says.
There are a couple of versions of the US citizenship oath but all require the individual in question to forswear any other allegiances they have. So even if Dr. Brown didn’t obey US law and renounce his Bermudian citizenship he had to renounce all allegiance to Bermuda.
Funny that the PLP feel this is acceptable.
BTW, I believe that Lois Browne Evans was born in Bermuda – Dr. E.F. Gordon was not.
The hogs were introduced by Spanish sailors.
And finally , you had no problem with the Quigars and families being here forever even though they had no ties to Bermuda. I personally dont have a problem with it but I did have a huge problem with the tree amigos telling us when it was to late.
He was great on the radio today.
The OBA will not appeal. You wait and see.
The PLP: opposed to human rights.
OMG,,, What next,,, nonsense in abundance.
Betty – where is the condemnation of your PLP Government for creating this rightful opportunity for equal justice? Had the OBA overseen passage of the same amendments to the Immigration Act you would have been up in arms about the outcome. Why the radio silence and deafening silence on their legislative changes?
Or is ok when ‘they do it’?
PLP are about PLP rights. Screw human rights. This is why I left PLP!!!!!!!!!!!!
What are you worried about Walton? These people are already here, and have been for a long time. What’s the real issue?
The real issue is that the PRCs don’t look like him and wouldn’t vote for his party…
If nothing else he’s guaranteed that they will not vote for his party. After all, even though the PLP are responsible for the PRC legislation their continual anti-expat rhetoric combined with this attempt to strip PRC’s of their human rights pretty much guarantees that no-one is going to vote for him or his party.
It was a rhetorical question….we know exaclty why he’s bleating…
Walton Brown,should not be on the talk shows and threaten to close the Island down.
Go drink some Beanie Brew, Walton..
I went, and made her, a big cup, of g@ng@ tea!
One does not have to read the full content of what this fool states.
This reminds me of the 60′s and early 70′s when words were spoken and events happened.
If you cannot fathom that then you are part of what is about to happen.
So much for Black Power.
Alah APLP.
Shalom.
Not sure if ‘fool’ is the right description Terry, but certainly it is close to the mark!
Contrary to Mr Brown’s claim, it was NOT a judgment by Chief Justice Kawaley that has created this situation, but rather the PLP’s own lawmakers of the day…..!!
Nahhh loonk!……You byes aww gonnah do whatever …..its import has been a non subject from inceptual understanding……we have a ship load of .. here….they have status…..no one is actually from here except maybe the fish ,birds lizards cerepeedes cockroaches flora and fauna….so what exactly is your point?No…I mean it….what point exactly are you making?If I say I want the all female Sweedish ski team to be given status then guess what…..
“Significant impact on Bermudians and opportunities for Bermudians” … er, correct me if I’m wrong but PRC Holders are not restricted in seeking employment or purchasing property … so what is the significant impact? That they will be able to vote in the country where they have worked and contributed for at least 25 years?
If immigration policy reform has been on the PLP agenda item since 2001, why then did you not deal with it in the following 11 years? Even worse, your party put together shoddy legislation and is now claiming a conspiracy theory for the OBA to get more votes …. com’on Walt … you can do better than that.
There isn’t an impact on Bermudians whatsoever. They already have every right to live and work here.
The PLP are being utterly and totally dishonest on this issue.
“The PLP are being utterly and totally dishonest on this issue”
Onion, you are so right. The PLP is worried about 1 thing and 1 thing only. They are worried that their voter base will be impacted by these PRC’s getting status. The majority of PRCs do more for this country than most “so called” Bermudians, I have no problem welcoming them as part of our country!!
Besides, those PRC’s don’t “look like him”.
No, he can’t.
The only criteria should be acceptable sustaining volume…..and….well….their ability to cook.
If this is so important, why isn’t the Leader of the Opposition speaking?
He’s scared he might spill his tea again
Maybe he’s drinking tea?
Don’t understand how granting PRC holders status is going to make a wealth of oppertunities unavailable to Bermudians? Like what?
the question no one has asked is how come those prc people got to stay here so dam long a prc can get up and go at any time leave
My strong suggestion to the OBA is to hold off on any decision over PRC’s, until after the summer tourism season is over. The PLP will no doubt be calling an island wide protest, this issue being the perfect galvanising tool to get their base energised. The PLP are gauging support right now and Walton has just said while on the radio that they will pursue any and all legal avenues. An island wide strike would be the last thing we need right now and would cause untold damage to any recovery that is going on. The perfect scenario for the PLP strategy, of a return to power at any cost.
Isn’t human rights and doing the right thing for people that have spent their lives helping to build Bermuda more important than situational politics.
This is really shameful folks–the double standard here is just revolting!
Sad, but my thoughts exactly. Why would they be harping on nothing for so long? Guess it is taking longer now days for the blind followers to react? Union slowing down and showing more common sense; or is it just World Cup time and no-one listening.
They just stoking the fire until it boil over.
Again, supporting a strike would only further confirm that the PLP is UNFIT to govern.
Strike = 0% chance of the America’s Cup being held here.
If you haven’t figured it out yet, the PLP don’t want to see anything positive happen under the OBA.
He said, “all Bermuda status holders have the right to live and work anywhere in the European Union”.
That is not correct.
All British Overseas Citizens (Bermuda) have the right to live and work anywhere in the European Union.
It is possible to have Bermuda status without being a British Overseas Citizen (Bermuda) since the pre-requisite is that you must be a Commonwealth Citizen to have Bermuda Status, i.e. you can be a Canadian and have Bermuda Status, but you will not haev the right to live and work anywhere in the European Union.
This is all about votes on election day and absolutely nothing else.
Any other claim by Brown or anyone else is pure BS.
Walton knows that this could be the very last nail in the PLP coffin – cos sure as heck PRCs won’t be vot’n for the koolaid.
It is another note to demonstrate the the PLP’s monopoly on caring for Bermudians. Apparently no else can, or ever will care for Bermudians like the PLP cares for Bermudians. Bermudians are Bermudians and they love Bermudians like only Bermudians can which is incredibly Bermudian, and reflective all which is Bermudian.. PLP! Bermudian!!! Everyone else is out to get Bermudians which is totally non-Bermudian and don’t get us started on non-Bermudians and how anti-Bermudian they are which is not Bermudian at all. PLP!!!
Da f#q?!
How will this deny opportunities to Bermudians? Walton Brown has never offered any evidence of how this would be the case. He simply says it and expects people to believe it.
Those in question will live, work and contribute to Bermuda just as they have for many years – no change. The truth is that the only thing that will change is that these people will have the right to vote – which they have earned.
The real issue for Walton Brown and the PLP is where they believe these votes will go. If he were honest that is what he would say, but….
Status for those in question is the right thing to do. Get it done. Move on.
Let’s put a hold on all marriage licenses there a Bermudian is marrying a non-Bermudian while we are at it, makes just as much sense.
The PLP already discriminated against those with land licenses..remember?
Which reminds me, can i have my money back and legal expenses? FT PLP.
The impact would be the opposite Imo, 2000 more incredible bermudians to add to our diversity and culture. 2000 more people to increase the gene pool (a very real issue fyi) on the island. 2000 more people to have a stake and defend and support the island, 2000 more people to support charities and volunteer for ‘their’ country. 2000 more people to participate in sport, the arts and music, 2000 more people to potentially represent Bermuda overseas at competitions, festivals and universities….
I personally think giving status to this group is about as ‘Bermudian’ as it gets.
They already do that and have been doing that for a while, the only difference is that they can’t vote, and it is criminal that the PLP failed to take any steps to reform our immigration in the 11 years since they renamed the LTR to PRC. Well, steps other than to discriminate against Bermudians who married foreigners, all so they could try and grab some extra cash for the coffers they were outspending
Brown.
That name appears often.
Lois
Ewart
Walton
University
Banks
Tur5ds…………………………………………..
Obviously a questionable strain of genes
Dear Mr Walton Brown, please have your eyes and ears checked.
It was stated during the debate in the House that the government would NOT be processing any further applications until the matter is clarified.
more garbage spewed out from the sewer
These people have been here for 25 years! They are Bermudian as anyone in my eyes.
They have contributed economically and socially just like anyone else. They are not hindering any job development and if anything their rights to purchase property will help stimulater the property market.
I have a friend PRC he has been here for 45 years, many have lived here way longer than 25 years, some 50 years.
They won’t vote for the PLP. (Certainly not after seeing the PLP doing everything to prevent them from becoming Bermudians) This is why the PLP are so against this ruling. Pure politics. Dirty ugly nasty politics.
Plp fed tgeir egos witg those thwy brought here,but there was a glaring contrast that was easy onough to discernhai stye ,acsent,clothing…etc….and cliche’ verbage….finally…Opra isms….they wrre the dead give away…
As tribes dance around the fire politicians dance around the subject…..and their people look on mesmerised with the sheer spectical of their endeavor…
“That category was created to provide a measure of justice”
Is this statement the equivalent of being only a little bit pregnant? It’s an all or nothing issue. The PLP opened the door when they created the PRC label in the first place.
“that there will be no further discretionary grants of Bermuda status”
Well these aren’t discretionary decisions are they? It would seem the granting of status is an automatic event once the applicant has satisfied the criteria prescribed in the Act. It’s not up to the will of the Government.
“it represents a significant number who if granted in one fell swoop would have a significant impact on Bermuda and opportunities for Bermudians”
Given PRC holders have the same rights, privileges and obligations as Bermudians (save for voting) and are already here occupying houses, gainfully employed and contributing to society EXACTLY how would they have any impact on Bermudians?
Be real Mr Brown. What you’re really concerned about are the potential voting patterns for any new status holder, especially when considering the PLP’s deplorable treatment of our guest workers and their families over the years.
Shame the party hadn’t shown true Bermudian hospitality during their 14 years feeding at the taxpayer trough; preferring instead to politicize the invaluable collaboration of non-Bermudians solely for the party’s gain.
Karma’s a b*itch.
The PLP created this and now they want someone else to change it. And for what? These people are already here, and they already contribute to the country.
So you think giving the numbers indicated of PRC holders, many of which have thrived for years on corporate-subsidized lifestyles, the same opportunity as ordinary REAL Bermudians to acquire property won’t have an adverse affect on the opportunities available to the latter group??? I can only assume between either class and/or the social segment you represent, there is absolutely no chance you could relate to that latter group.
Interesting attempt at moving the goalposts and trying to redefine the narrative. It doesn’t wash.
Please quantify the potential econmic impacts of your remarks and explain exactly how REAL Bermudians would be disadvantaged.
While you’re at please define what a REAL Bermudian is.
Do you consider a 16 year old who was born here, grew up in our society, attended schools, participated in hundreds of community events, birthday parties, rights of passage, speaks with a Bermudian accent, enjoyed public holiday festivities, donated time and attention to charitable causes, participated in school plays, recitals or parades and supports either St. George’s or Somerset for Cup Match is in any way different from any other 16 year old?
This isn’t a “class” issue, it’s a human rights issue. Or do you feel rights are selective and only apply to REAL Bermudians?
Speaking of which, did your family miraculously appear on our shores one day or did they emigrate from somewhere else first? If the latter, why do you feel you’re life experience trumps your neighbors?
Moving the goal past?? What are you drinking/smoking? [lets see how many Marc Bean jabs that provokes from you lot] lol..
In regards to housing, quantifying starts with the simple analyses that with the stroke of a pen circa +4ooo foreigners [formerly restricted by ARV requirements] would have access to a pool of Bermuda real estate traditionally reserved for [and I will say it again] REAL Bermudians. You can research what proportion of that number are folks that have thrived on corporate-subsidized lifestyles including housing/travel/utility/tuition/etc allowances – obviously not everyone. As it stands ordinary Bermudians don’t already have significant challenges getting a piece of the rock so why don’t we just add to that burden and hope there is no social unrest…
As for the 16 year old you mentioned, no one including Walton is denying that a comprehensive study of immigration reform needs to be carried out. But prior to that it remains so that because of the size of our population we cannot be expected to prioritize the granting of status to people in this category to the importance of carrying out that study. Less those that needed to bolster their populations [i.e. Canada etc], NO COUNTRY IN THE WORLD has seriously considered or exercised this aggressive an approach to offering STATUS!
As for your ridiculous closing comment, where exactly do you draw the line? Do you think everyone and their dog should have the “human right” to come and settle down here simply because the REAL Bermudians, with legacies dating back 1oo’s of years in some cases, ‘originally’ came from somewhere else. Its a foolish argument that only speaks to the lack of critical thinking you people are directing at this…
So Ian, do you think that someone who renounced their Bermudian “citizenship” and forswore allegiance to this country should be allowed to regain their status?
Or is that behavior acceptable because the individual in question “looks like Mr Brown” and supports the PLP?
For the sake of clarity – Dr. Brown became an American citizen – in order to do so he had to renounce all other citizenships and forswear allegiance to any other country (including Bermuda) so, unless he violated US law when he accepted American citizenship, he wasn’t Bermudian when he returned to the island (and he didn’t renounce his US citizenship until well after he took a seat in Parliament – a violation of Bermuda law).
Its a foolish argument that only speaks to the lack of critical thinking you people are directing at this…
What do you mean, “you people?”
OH that felt good
Ian, corporate subsidized living??? When you get out of the diapers you are wearing, you need to learn that those that you speak of work for companies that earn their money from all over the world!!! The money they earn you need to understand does not come from us, we are only lucky to get a small piece of the pie champ!!! You are just another of the brainwashed plp supporters that have no clue on what makes OUR island tick, me thinks you spend to much time drinking the plp ganja tea!!!!!!!
*yawwwwn* More childish name calling and ignorance from Kangoocar. The “Likes” people like you get for your statements only speaks to the level of maturity coming from the diehards that desperately place their blind faith in this current government…
Ian,
You are nothing more than a small minded ignorant xenophobe and a continued embarrassment to the average Bermudian. Time to crawl back into the hole you came out of
It is by the goodness of God that in my own country we have those three unspeakably precious things: freedom of speech, freedom of conscience and the prudence never to practice either of them.
Every successive government since 2001 has been PLP up until this point. So there is no wonder “successive governments” have stuck to this second class citizen classificatioon.
Can Mr. Brown or anyone else please explain what will
Be so detrimental to Bermudians? He has said the same thing over and over again with no providing one example to back up his claims. It’s my like these individuals showed up on our shores yesterday and are demanding status.
Please explain your constant accusations and why your party is so gung-ho on denying basic human rights to these taxpayers who have been with us for at least 25 years?
*its not like these individuals
What about human rights and justice and equality for all?
We are a modern evolved society aren’t we?
Let’s act like responsible adults and stop playing politics with people’s lives.
As a PRCHolder this big issue makes no cence …it was the PLP?that upgraded the status. From long. Term residence to. P.R C holders ,now I have been here since November 1969′ I applyed for status under U!B,P twice and gut turned down for what ever stupid reasonUBP? Did have some stupid reasons too but anyway I am still here We had three beautiful children we put them in private schools they went on to Uneversaties and they hold pretty good jobs,yes it was hard but we made sure that are children didn’t have to go through what our parents and their parents went through they all have status but mom and dad only have PRC holders all this 1000 people that this fuss is all about they are all well over late 50 and 60 years old how is it we are a treat to Bermudians a lot of them have they money in the bank ,some already have houses eighter on their children’s names or on trusts ,so where is the fair is coming from ? You cannot say that they will all vote for OBA, our they will vote. For PLP, do you think Mr,brown that when UBP lost it was only black Bermudians voted them out? If so you better think again ,,,so please come clean and do the right thing after all nothing is stoping us from leaving and going to where we were born but we choose the live here we love Bermuda that’s what We Call Home won’t you after all your children are Bermudians grandchildren are Bermudians and living here all that time have some sorts of feelings for this country we call home…
Yes it is a about the vote and because the PLP made this blunter the UBP/oba anti-Bermudian government will use it as cover to put in it’s pro-foreigner agenda.
Well they are teaching Bermudians a good political lesson; next time they will not be so careless about their right to vote and choose a government that is going to act in their interests. This current UBP/oba anti-Bermudian government is not it; despite the image the new UBP/oba emperor is trying to put over which will require him to drag his herd mentality political support base kicking and screaming across the line to at least put in an appearance that they really support his pro-Bermudian veneer.
HUMAN RIGHTS
Time for Alvin’s daily dose of gibberish. Go back to sleep Alvin.
What are your thoughts??? Or you gonna stick with the easy way out/around?
That’s pretty twisted Alvin. It’s about human rights.
What’s funny is he is actually presenting well structured rational arguments while most of you simply resort to your sample ole tired arsed name callings and childish attacks. On the assumption most of you are PRC holders and/or fitting of the ‘typical’ profile of folks that are incapable of seeing the sense in what he’s saying, perhaps there should be no granting of status to non-Bermudians that are clearly not going anywhere anytime soon regardless. So if you all think everyone is riding the same daft/denial train, trying to convince themselves this isn’t about (already predicted) OBA/UBP efforts to expand their voting base, you may have to learn the hard way how wrong you are.
No he is not. Those with PRC’s can stay here and work indefinitely. As such whether they have status has zero impact on employment of Bermudians. ZERO.
the only logical argument is that those with status can buy lower slue homes. But as these are not shifting and have not for the past couple of years this also makes no sense.
Instead of being fearful of the vote pool changing (which is the only reason why this is an issue) the PLP should instead be trying to convince people to vote for them. They are failing here.
Frustrating for me as the OBA were there for the taking – and the PLP reverted to their Ewart Brown ways and missed a huge opportunity to wrap up the next election. They are doomed now IMHO.
Tarik
Im sorry mate but he sounds a lot more well versed on the subject than you. And you can start with the fact Walton is no xenophobe or anti-foreigner as many OBA/UBP cheerleaders like to default to. He has no shortage of expat/foreign friends in his circle and has for years partnered with foreigners and PRC-holders on business ventures. Fair to say he speaks from a significantly more comprehensive set of experiences.
Firstly its does impact the job market for REAL Bermudians because as it stands they are given first preference on job opportunities over PRC holders if they are qualified. Secondly you severely understate the implications for ordinary Bermudians as it relates to the MANY opportunities that would be taken away from them on a real estate front they already struggle to exist/compete in. As for voting it is a fair point to make that traditionally elections here have been determined by a small group. But ultimately, do you really think anyone is surprised this is all going down within 18 months of the OBA’s tenure. Their very existence is built on the instructions of a report designed to essentially fool the local small-town yocals… AND THAT IS PROVEN! The fact people still drink the “OBA”, UBP-manufactured kool-aid only reaffirms how typically gullible voting populous’ are.
Not true. But enjoy your rant.
From an employment perspective, Bermudians, Spouses of Bermudians and PRC holders are considered equally.
No. As a PRC holder does not have to apply for a work permit for any job they can be hired without scrutiny. The policy you refer to (Immigration policy 2013) is not applied.
RE residential houseing in fact I think this would help. My cousin has been trying to sell their house for 3 years. He is about to go bankrupt. He would welcome a few more buyers in the market – if anything he is worse off with them not having status.
You spout off generalisations and consiparcy theories but no facts or logic applied. It is such a shame that we are where we are.
Tarik
So all REAL Bermudians are sick xenophobes like you? I don’t think they’d appreciate being put in the same group as your lot
Ian, you are clearly a simpleton.
What’s funny is he is actually presenting well structured rational arguments while most of you simply resort to your sample ole tired arsed name callings and childish attacks.
Agree,, those it ever change?? Attack the messenger and resort to childish attacks and character assassinations over and over again. Forget the point he is making and how logical his point may be. He is PLP and whatever he says is stupid and for him to be a part of the PLP makes him stupid just like all the people that vote for them – the general theme that is implied here every day.. ho hum ho hum.
Keep it up Mr. Brown, you tell them people who only know Bermuda as their home and in some cases were born in Bermuda and payed taxes all their lives should never be allowed to vote in Bermuda! You probably wont understand in the next election why they vote OBA will you ! I even know one PRC who is in the regiment, but oh know we can’t let him vote !
Walton, you need to replace all of those Bermudians that are now living in the UK, for whatever reason. It is amazing to me why so many people who hate the UK and all who dwell in her, need to be rehabilitated, educated or live off the welfare system. Incidentally, what is your heritage? Which generation Bermudian are you? Is it not better to have brain gain into a country than for the country to remain stagnant population wise. Let’s be honest, many Bermudians already marry ‘foreigners’ if you know what I mean!
Okay, having looked into my crystal ball, I see a potentially brighter and drastically changed political landscape. When the thousands? of PRC’s are able to vote, the OBA will have a clear majority, with the PLP in its present form unable to win. The PLP will at this point come to the stark realisation that the only way to become Government ever again is to change and try and appeal to a broad cross section of the community which will then take local politics to a new level of maturity. I will then as a white Bermudian hopefully have a choice of which party to vote for, as the new PLP will actively be courting my vote. We will be finally rid of the race defined politics of today and talk on the issues. The PLP will obviously have to moderate and come more centre in policies and be less stuck in the past. We will all win when this scenario plays out over the next few years. The sooner the PLP accept this new reality the better for Bermuda.
Fact is, there aren’t “thousands” of PRC’s that could potentially apply for status. And not all of those want it.
Walton you can gift wrap your adgenda up in any totuchy feely language you like, but when we strip away the ribbons and bows we see the same old predjudiced rhetoric. You and your adgenda fool no one.
All we hear is radio gaga, radio googoo, radio blah blah.
Thats not a crystal ball. You are just reading from the ‘Operation UBP to BDA to OBA’ report drafted by foreign consultants and executed against the local population. Amazing the praise and moral authority you people assign to the OBA despite everything they have done that points to the fact they are simply playing us, including their own [new] supporters.
Ian: I mistook you for a simpleton & I apologize. I for one have figured you out and I must say I am impressed – your comedy routine is really coming along. You gave yourself away by continually using slang that only a Brit would use – not a Real, Grassroots,looks like me – Bermudian.
Congratulations on fooling so many people with your supposed rants. Fortunately, I and probably a few others, have realized that nobody could really have such narrow minded myopic simpleton like views.
Thanks for the entertainment – hope to see you at Chewstick sometime.
Ian, Alvin and the PLP should campaign against this issue, 2000K more educated voters is definitely a bad thing for the PLP.
The worst possible outcome would be for this thriving group of folks to leave this country – not unlike the Asians forced from Uganda in the seventies, a complete and utter economic folly leading only to impoverishment for all except a small political elite that keeps getting more and more removed from reality. Short of granting these folks their due and most basic of human rights, full citizenship, our futures are all in peril because of yet another instance of PLP ignorance, greed, hypocrisy and begrudgery. It strikes me that PRC in the PLP scheme of things nothing less than a form of segregation aimed at holding us all back.
Also,
For the Grace of Country, they do contribute to a healthy BERMUDA GENES POOL!
HEALTHY BERMUDA !
This would be a very different conversation if this group had “REAL” Bermudian genes instead of expat genes
Only a parvenu would say something so ludicrous…
Obviously some people are happy to splash around in the shallow end of the gene pool.
I’m only for BLACK rights–BLACK rights only! Call me what you will. tSagdI!
I’ve been trained by the experts to be racial to the core. We all know who they are.
Forgot to mention that the experts are not folks who look like Walton and I.
I am going for some Ganga tea and gather my thoughts.
Nobody stopped the PLP when they changed the boundaries to get the vote nobody stopped the PLP when they promised everything from education, public transportation and seniors licenses free to get the vote!!!look what that did for us. Walton you have been a biased political announcer for years and your true colours have never shone brighter! at least the OBA votes wont cost us anything as the PRC holders have been living, working and spending there hard earned money here for over 25 years
I’m blind to ya haters
The PLP were terrified to give status to long term residents over a decade ago, they were not sure how they would vote so they thought giving them PRC’s would sweep them under the carpet. The UPB before them gave status to whom ever they felt like. Hopefully the OBA will do what is right and give status to the people who deserve it.Those residents have been on the island for decades and contributed much to the island. They will continue to live Bermuda and should have the right to vote and buy a house without any conditions attached.
I totally agree with you Penty.”Words are like money…It is the stamp of custom alone that gives them circulation or value” – William Hazlitt(1778-1830)