Public Consultation On CARICOM Membership
[Updated] “The Government of Bermuda, through the Ministry of Home Affairs, has launched a national public consultation on Bermuda’s potential advancement to Full Membership in the Caribbean Community [CARICOM].
A Government spokesperson said, “The consultation begins with the publication of the Green Paper titled ‘The Story of Us; Green Paper on Bermuda’s Application for Full Membership in the Caribbean Community’ which outlines what CARICOM is, what full membership could mean for Bermuda, and the considerations involved in pursuing that path.
“The Green Paper was announced in the House of Assembly today by the Hon. Alexa Lightbourne, JP, MP, Minister of Home Affairs.
“Minister Lightbourne has also released a video message today inviting Bermudians to learn more about Bermuda’s historical, cultural and familial CARICOM connections and to take part in the consultation process.
“This Green Paper is an invitation to the people of Bermuda to become informed, to understand what CARICOM is, what full membership could mean, and to share their views,” said Minister Lightbourne. “We encourage every Bermudian to read the document and take part in the national conversation.”
The spokesperson said, “Bermuda has been an Associate Member of CARICOM since 2003, participating in areas such as regional cooperation, sport, culture, and disaster support. The Green Paper now explores what deeper engagement through full membership could involve.
“Members of the public are encouraged to review the Green Paper, learn more about CARICOM, and provide feedback as part of the consultation process.
“The document is available online at www.TogetherForCARICOM.gov.bm
“The website also provides information about upcoming public presentations and opportunities for residents to share their views.”
Minister Lightbourne added, “This consultation is about ensuring Bermudians have the facts and information they need to understand the options before us. We encourage the public to read the Green Paper carefully, ask questions, and provide feedback as we consider Bermuda’s next steps.”
The spokesperson said, “The public consultation will continue over the coming months, with feedback helping to inform the Government’s next steps.”
Update 6.14pm: Shadow Home Affairs Minister Michael Fahy said, “After much pushing we are grateful that the Government has finally published a Green Paper in regards to full CARICOM membership. Whilst it has not yet been formally presented to Parliament, we urge all Bermudians and stakeholders to carefully review the contents, ask questions, and give feedback. It is hoped that the Green Paper will give both pros and cons of full membership so that the matter can be fairly and properly considered.
“Given the Minister’s promise today that a White Paper will eventually be published after full consultation on the Green Paper, all feedback is important.
“The OBA will also review the Green Paper in detail, provide commentary and consider if the Green Paper does what it is supposed to do. In other words, it must be more than just discussion. Ideally areas for debate, feedback, and consideration rather than a sales pitch. We look forward to a fulsome debate in Parliament in due course.”
The full Green Paper follows below [PDF here]:
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I do not expect the PLP Government to pay any more attention to me on this issue than it has on any other issue over the past 20 or so years, but do NOT want Full Membership in the Caribbean Community for Bermuda
But I do…
You expect the PLP Government to pay any more attention to me on this issue than it has on any other issue over the past 20 or so years?
Associate members to begin with? Ah ha. No referendum called for then.
You want anything PLP says it is going to do. You’re the epitome of a political sycophant.
Folks, Joe Bloggs is DA MAN on government issues. His history of comments demonstrates a lot of insight.
Has one main objective: attack. Armed with a water pistol he is just having fun. So far,no big issues raised as to why not. I’m not for joining . I would tell you why if Joe gave me a water pistol.
Read the report 1st then decide.
You’d think that with how hard the PLP has been banging the drum for joining CARICOM, they’d at least put together a green paper that actually lists benefits and risks of membership.
Instead, we get a largely speculative hodgepodge of potential benefits with little substantiation to back them up, no outlining of potential risks full membership will bring, and lots of feelgood material about our cultural ties with the Caribbean, which has little to do with membership whatsoever.
The list of organisations cheering this on is also a veritable who’s who of PLP-adjacent supporting entities. Hardly a representative sample of broad institutional support or consensus, yet it’s framed as such.
All in all, this is a very poor attempt at presenting speculation as fact for the public.
Mr. Apathy, are you seriously suggesting that the PLP Government accurately inform the public of the potential consequences of full membership in CARICOM?
Have you any idea the danger a well-informed public poses to a politician?
Associate members to begin with? Ah ha. No referendum called for then.