Opposition Leader: Minister “Could Do Better”

July 31, 2017

“Minister Brown has an interesting take on inclusive consultation respecting Immigration”, according to Opposition Leader Patricia Gordon-Pamplin who said, “I am sure the Minister could do better for Bermuda as he has started out on a shaky footing.”

MP Gordon-Pamplin said, “As an Opposition, we in the OBA have committed to working with the government for all those things that we deem to be in the best interest of Bermuda. We note however, that Minister Brown has an interesting take on inclusive consultation respecting Immigration.

“Members of the Reform Group, of which he was an integral part, have been having public consultations for over a year, with weekly reporting of the progress being made. Is he discounting the numerous town hall meetings and the input by those group members and those who committed to attend as being an exercise in futility?

“I have, through the Chairman, last week, expressed the following:

Mr. Chairman,

May I express my sincere gratitude to you and the Committee for the hard work that they have done in furtherance of the responsibilities that they were contracted to complete, pursuant to the agreement of last March.

While the timelines that were set out in such agreement were not adhered to, I fully understand that the underlying data that has been sought was a prerequisite to ensuring that the output and the recommendations were fair and balanced in the interest of all Bermudians.

I wish you the very best as you continue this very necessary work under the new administration, and reiterate what a pleasure it was to have inherited you and your committee.

Please convey my thanks to each committee member.

“When speaking of ‘fair’, Minister Brown barely allowed the ink to dry on his appointment before making a political decision in favour of an expat who blatantly misrepresented facts on application forms and the Minister expected that a blind eye would be cast over such inconsistencies.

“The Minister has lost his moral authority to speak of fairness and Bermudians first, unless to him, the connotation of being fair and to consider Bermudians first means “FIRST, after his favourite expat”.

“I note that not too long ago, the department under my instruction, revoked a permit for a worker who misrepresented similar details on his application form. It was, in my opinion, fair to refuse that applicant a new permit. Should we encourage double standards?

“I am sure the Minister could do better for Bermuda as he has started out on a shaky footing.”

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Comments (23)

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  1. Really says:

    Talk about tone deaf and lacking any hint of political acumen. Pat, you lost the case in the Courts and didn’t appeal. So either the courts got it wrong or you’re hooked on the case. Didn’t July 18th teach you that the position you took on “that case” was wrong both politically and legally? If this is how you’ll lead the Opposition then get comfy on that side of the House because it will be a long stint. Let it go….listen…learn….wake up and stay woke….

    • PPamplin says:

      For accuracy and clarity, the judgment ruled that the matter should return to the Minister and it was recommended that the Minister send the matter to the Board.

      My only purpose in this comment is to highlight the judge very clearly stated that the matter had been dealt with with principle and that the Board should have taken the steps to communicate. Your comment is suggesting that I should not make ‘political’ decisions, yet the new minister could! Double standards at work.

      Know that I am not hooked on the case, just want truth and consistency and an approach by the Minister that supports his commitment.

      • #Puttingourchildrenfirst says:

        @PamplinGordon…Still not learnt anything from the biggest election defeat…

        One reason was due to your attacks on Rev Tweed….

        Move on and stop beating a dead horse….

        Put down your arrogrances and wake up…

        The truth is something twisted to your own likings.

        Move on…..or watch the other seats within your party fall.
        .

        injustice and your high level of political interference in this regards was not necessary.
        ….Stop

        • Ringmaster says:

          So the OBA lost because of Rev Tweed (Genevieve)? If you represent the voters who put the PLP into Government, Bermuda will shortly go downhill rapidly. It seems the “new” PLP is probably worse than the old PLP. So much for the good governance promised in the election. Bermuda and Bermudians deserve so much better.

      • GOV Employee says:

        Pamplin……… worst Minister I ever worked for in Government. Fahy was better and smarter ask anyone who works Immigration!!!!

    • John Joseph says:

      My friends first, Bermudians second.

      Niw spin some utterance about July the 18th to deflect the issue.

      All done, no one will even suspect that my lips say one thing and my actions say anothe.

      In the words of the great Jimmy cliff, ” Actions speak louder than words”

    • Jus' Wonderin' says:

      TWEED AINT BERMUDIAN FULL STOP!!

    • Just the facts says:

      Agree. Look “Pat” maybe this is the new Govt’s way of getting around the whole issue of immigration reform. Maybe they are just going to give every Expat who wants to stay, the right to stay and eventually status! Maybe Genevieve is the first instance and all other Expats come next, not to mention the families with mixed status members.

      Maybe this is a better way of doing it? Just give them status and be done with it. Here’s your status, next! Less bureaucracy! I like it, well done, great idea! Stay woke!

  2. Bermie says:

    yeah Pat, we didn’t vote for common sense

  3. Zevon says:

    Looks to me like she’s the one standing up for Bermudians.

    • Ringmaster says:

      Since July 18 it is clearly expats first, Bermudians somewhere down the line.

  4. Kevin says:

    It was again “when” not “if” the shanagans of the PLp would start and boy how whats good for the goose is not good for the gander its about who you are and 1998-2012 here we go again …as long as you are a supporter you can do as you wish and break the rules a few new faces but same old same old

  5. Ringmaster says:

    The Minister did not lose the case in the Court. The Court’s ruling had nothing to do with the finding of the Immigration Board, not the Minister, to refuse the work permit renewal of the Rev. Clearly on July 18 the new Minister overruled the decision of the Immigration Board. That is political interference and shows the double standard applied.

  6. Coffee says:

    He started out … Well on the shaky footing left by Fayhe

  7. Coffee says:

    He’ll soon sort things out

  8. PLP says:

    So now the oba is an expert on consultation. .

    I still support bi-partisan approach

  9. Rocky5 says:

    It’s not what you say, it’s how you say it. Dear Mrs. Gordon-Pamplin please learn hpw to drop the old UBP way of saying things. All that needed to be said was that the OBA Opposition will be watching very closely to make sure that the PLP Govt will be looking after the best interest of Bermudians noting the immediate issuance of a work permit for Rev. Tweed, while not unexpected given their close relationship, you hope that ‘close PLP relationship’ does not become standard policy for ALL Work Permits…

  10. Interesting says:

    Let it go?? 1st act in govt is to renew the permit of one of the guys beating the drum the hardest? Did they even have to properly apply yet? This one was a setup to begin with. OBA handled it poorly. I’m pretty sure the courts didn’t say they had to give him a work permit.

  11. Um.... says:

    Does Pat not remember what the court said? She should want to distance herself from the Tweed situation. I would have thought the sobering results from the election would have caused the OBA to wake up, but clearly they are still out of touch. Good thing they have 4+ years to “rebrand”. I’m thinking United Bermuda Alliance.

    • Earth watch police says:

      Oba are finished were a one party country now might be better.

  12. Um says:

    Bitter much? Move on

  13. Oh,I see now says:

    If they want to be taken serious as the opposition party working together for a better Bermuda a new leader with minimum baggage is required.

  14. Enough says:

    Sour grapes and who cares? Shut up OBA and don’t come out to play with this weak stuff!