OBA’s Robert King, BIU & PLP On Comments
The OBA’s candidate for Constituency 10 Robert King, the PLP and the BIU have all released statements about Mr King’s comments about Black civil servants.
OBA’s adopted candidate for Constituency 10, Robert King:
Mr King claimed that he was misquoted in the original interview and said, “So now I would like to clarify what was meant from my perspective as a former civil servant, having worked within the criminal justice system.
“What I meant was this: the government of the day states that it is a government that represents and addresses the needs of the community, in particular the Black community, and this would be evident in the makeup of the current government, which is 99 percent Black and 1 percent white. The civil service, in particular the criminal justice system, of which my former clients and I have had knowledge and experience of for over 20 years, is essentially Black.
“Obviously, not all civil servants are Black. Furthermore, when I was speaking about a Black civil service, I meant that’s what is represented in terms of the race, the people who are working in the criminal justice system and the people whom my former clients would see would essentially look just like him or her.
“The point I was making is that the civil service and the government has let the people of this country down, especially the vulnerable and the underserved. I know for a fact, having spoken to and worked with individuals, who come from challenging backgrounds that this is true.
“I, along with former colleagues, have tried to address the problems to assist this vulnerable population as best we could.
“And what we found was, the civil service and the way systems currently run did not allow this to happen in an efficient way. The public needs to know the truth about how government systems work and negatively impact on the lives of persons in the community, especially the underserved and vulnerable.
“I would advise everybody who feels that the government is not taking care of their needs and their community to get out and vote and let’s make change.”
PLP MP Neville Tyrrell:
MP Neville Tyrrell said, “In less than a week, the OBA’s candidate for Constituency 10 has already attempted to back away from his own derogatory remarks about Black public officers. While he claims to have been “misquoted” on the dog whistle nature of his prior remarks, he has doubled down on attacking the public officers.
“Despite condemnation from both the Bermuda Progressive Labour Party and the Bermuda Public Services Union, the Leader of the One Bermuda Alliance Jarion Richardson has remained silent and invisible on this matter.
“There were countless Bermudians who were deeply offended and hurt by Mr. King’s remarks, and his feeble attempt to backpedal while still doubling down on disparaging public officers doesn’t help. It is high time for Jarion Richardson to step up and take a stance on this issue.
“If he doesn’t share Mr. King’s low opinion of Bermudian public officers, then why hasn’t he publicly denounced or distanced himself and his Party from those remarks? What is more telling is the hundreds of online comments by OBA supporters that continue to degrade Bermudian public officers.
“If Jarion Richardson truly stands behind his candidate’s words and believes what Mr. King and his OBA supporters are saying, then why hasn’t he demonstrated the strength of his convictions and come out in support of that statement?
“Bermudians need to know if the OBA has a leader who is willing to take a stand against the disparaging remarks by Robert King and online supporters.”
BIU Executive Board:
BIU Executive Board said, “Mr. Robert King, a candidate representing the OBA, made several assertions that warrant careful examination.
“Mr. King stated that the PLP administration lacked integrity and had failed to address the challenges facing young Black males, particularly those drawn into criminal activities. He suggests that the current administration, being predominantly Black, should inherently be better equipped to tackle issues affecting the Black community. However, such a stance overlooks the long-standing presence of Black civil servants who have diligently served their country, irrespective of the ruling party. Therefore, Mr. King’s attempt to imply that the ethnicity of the PLP government and civil service has hindered its effectiveness is unfounded and divisive.
“Furthermore, Mr. King appears to have unintentionally insinuated that his own party, the OBA, might face similar challenges due to its Black leadership is perplexing. Mr. King’s remarks hint at a troubling self-deprecation, suggesting that he may harbor internalized prejudices or a discomfort with his own racial identity. Such remarks not only detract from the discourse but also undermine the principles of inclusivity and respect.
“The long-standing concerns raised by the BIU regarding understaffing in critical government sectors, including the Ministry of Public Works and Department of Parks resonate with Mr. King’s remarks regarding the neglected state of public spaces but this underscores the need for bipartisan efforts to address systemic issues. Mr. King’s statements failed to provide clarity as to how the OBA would address these issues, and this speaks volumes.
“It is worth recalling the OBA’s 2012 electoral promise to create 2000 jobs, a commitment that was not fulfilled. Instead, during their tenure, Bermuda witnessed a decline of 2000 jobs, exacerbating economic challenges. Additionally, the mismanagement of the Morgans Point bailout, which ballooned from a $160 million commitment to over $200 million, highlights the need for accountability and transparency in financial matters.
“Lastly, lest we forget, the OBA’s last tenure included the controversial outsourcing of L.F. Wade International Airport operations to Aecon, coupled with the taxpayer-funded minimum revenue guarantees. The agreement’s provisions, obligating taxpayers to cover shortfalls in Aecon’s revenue, underscore the lack of rigorous oversight and scrutiny of public-private partnerships during the OBA tenure in government.
“In conclusion, Mr. King’s remarks highlight broader issues concerning governance, accountability, and racial dynamics within Bermuda’s political landscape. Moving forward, it is imperative for political discourse to transcend divisive rhetoric and focus on collaborative solutions that benefit all Bermudians.”
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