Column: Crockwell On Politics, Economy & More
[Opinion column written by independent candidate Juanae Crockwell]
Albert Einstein is often credited with the saying, “Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.” For decades, Bermuda has been governed by the same political structures, yet our challenges have only deepened. The time has come to break this cycle. The time has come for systemic change.
Both the Progressive Labour Party and the One Bermuda Alliance caution voters against “wasting their votes” on independent candidates. Their argument, as expected, is rooted in the belief that only traditional political parties can govern effectively. But where has that gotten us?
Bermuda is at a crossroads. Our GDP has remained stagnant for over 20 years. Public debt stands at an estimated $3.21 billion, meaning every resident effectively owes $51,000—with the real figure likely much higher. We are spending $136 million per year—$2.6 million every week—just to service our debt. Our international credit rating, crucial to sustaining international business, has already been downgraded and faces further risk. Bermudians are leaving their homeland in droves, unable to keep up with the rising cost of living.
Meanwhile, the administration of our education system is failing, and housing has become increasingly unaffordable. Thousands remain without health insurance, while seniors are forced to make impossible choices between medication, food, and utilities. For many, the rising cost of living has made survival in Bermuda unsustainable, with more than 6,000 Bermudians emigrating in search of better opportunities and a higher quality of life.
The two major parties have governed throughout all of this. If party politics were the answer, wouldn’t we have seen progress by now?
Independent candidates present an alternative—one based on collaboration rather than division. The notion that voting independent is a waste is fear-mongering designed to maintain the status quo. While critics argue that a government inclusive of independents would be disorganized and chaotic, the truth is we already have a disorganized and chaotic government.
What independent candidates do offer is accountability, transparency, and genuine engagement with the electorate. This alternative instils fear in the party system because without voter loyalty, the traditional parties will collapse.
Independent members of Parliament would have the flexibility to vote for the best solutions. We see this model—where individuals come together to effect change and progress—working in every other sector of our country. Collaboration is a fundamental component of effective advocacy and systemic change. Independent representation creates an opportunity for collaboration and collaboration leads to change.
In other jurisdictions using the Westminster system, independent representation is thriving. In the Cayman Islands, Guernsey, and the Isle of Man, independent representatives dominate parliamentary and legislative bodies and are proving highly effective in governance.
One particularly interesting example is the Bailiwick of Guernsey, which operates entirely without political parties. All elected officials serve as independents, making decisions based on consensus rather than party lines. The government functions through a system of committees, where policies and laws are determined collectively by elected representatives— a framework that could absolutely work in Bermuda.
Suggesting that 18 elected officials with diverse expertise would be ineffective simply because they are not tied to a party is absurd. The idea that individuals cannot work together reflects the political immaturity of our current leaders. Then again, perhaps they struggle with this concept because unity has never been part of their political agenda. Political parties thrive off of division in our community, while the people suffer as a result.
The PLP and OBA fear the rise of independent representation because it threatens to dismantle the system that has long served them—but now stifles us.
Independent candidates will be able to focus on solutions rather than playing political football—kicking problems further down the road. They listen and act in the best interests of Bermudians, bringing diverse perspectives and innovative approaches to long-standing issues. Most importantly, they unite rather than divide—because we are all in this together.
The independent movement represents not just a shift in politics but a shift towards community-centered governance. The challenges we face belong to all of us. We cannot afford to let partisanship divide us any longer. It is time to come together, to unify behind a common goal: a better Bermuda for everyone.
The time for change is here. The time for independent leadership is now. Do not let those who thrive on division convince you otherwise.
- Juanae Crockwell, Independent Candidate, Constituency 31- Southampton West Central. For more information about her candidacy, visit www.crockwell31.com.
For full coverage of the 2025 Election and past elections, visit the links below, with comprehensive coverage available on our network website BermudaElections.com, the leading source of data and election videos.
- All: Our coverage of the 2025 General Election here
- 2025 Candidates: List of the 110 candidates
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- Comprehensive: Our BermudaElection.com website here
“Public debt stands at an estimated $3.21 billion”
Our CURRENT debt is closer to $3.75 billion. Add to that our unfunded pension liabilities and our “public debt” is more like $7 to $8 billion.
Mr.Joe Bloogs .
Is there any reason you did not include the Private debt covering. Mortgages car loans
The un ~ disclosed
Every 4 small comuter cars is $100 k
Every two semi exotic cars is $100 K
Every two three or small boats is 100 K
let me spoil the day .
Tug boats and ferry boats each over $ 1 or 2 mill
Independent representation is not thriving in the Cayman, as their government has had several shutdowns as their support of whoever they have chosen to be the Government has changed several times. What the business world needs is stability. Independents are not that.
Ms. Crockwell and many others have very articulately (and in some cases dramatically) expressed the problems that plague Bermuda. But they have done little to articulate their plan to solve these problems. They blame the Party system for what it has failed to do, but what will they as Independents do, and how? Until they can articulate in detail their plans, how do they intend to win the confidence of the electorate, or is their plan to hope for support of the disillusioned?
Ms. Crockwell, if you want to vote for the best solutions (laudable), where do the solutions come from? Where are your own solutions? Where is your platform? How do the voters in your constituency know what you believe and what you support? Do you have proposals to correct the issues you identify? They certainly know you’re against party politics. Is there anything else?
watching
When an army goes in to battle it would not be a good idea to tell their opponent how many ships, tanks ,and planes they have . ou ca Tripple the number of prisoners you have.
Playing the game of cards it is best for an oponunt to hold their cards close to their chest.
It took years to accumulate the debt created by lack of for -thought and it will take years to disolve it .
Frankly, I do not blame Ms. Crockwell for having the presence of mind and give of her time and effort for benefit of Bermuda .
To be blunt to have the raw mentality adapatility to put her self in the dock and take courage to efectively chase the vultures away in order to convince her electorate of her viability and ability to do her best to save this island from sinking below the waves .
It is not for good for people to past unfavorable judge meant on another desires and ability before the test of time is to be considdered most unfair .
Did we not see the writing on the wall.
Bermuda has been far too long on the wrong road to no where an now we pay the price for the hand outs.
“watching” why do you take the easy way with out by offering critisism , would it be wise to just give second thoughts as the saying goes. fools rush in where angel fear to tread . prudent comes in here to question.
” measure twice an cut once ” with your solutions. it is not what you do in life that matters it is how you do it.
Doing some thing is better than doing nothiing , that is what we have been getting . Has it been the blind leading the bind for years
I would try to reduce the interest for starters on our debt we get speculation as interest burdens the principal repayment.
Want to pay one third for the car get a loan .
I look at it that i have been forced to buy into into some thing we did not need.
All Airports have two doors slow IN and fast OUT .
our Airport is a exit airport .
Ms. Crockwell may be mis informed how can you know or they are not telling on the amount our national debt in the news never the less an unrealistic amount we have been given a water side concrete block to wish it to be a lump of silver .
you can you not have a little faith.
It is not good to judge the future by the past.