Hashtag: #JonathanStarlingColumns
Opinion: A Reply To MP Sousa On Film Crew
[Opinion column written by Jonathan Starling] I doubt I’m the only one having trouble following the rationale put forward by, first Minister Fahy and now the OBA backbencher, MP Sousa. Essentially they seem to be arguing that denying the film crew permission to film on island was the right thing to do in order to defend Bermuda’s ‘reputational... Read more of this article
Opinion: ‘Double Jeopardy’ Needs More Reform
[Opinion column written by Jonathan Starling] The recent debacle over the barring of a Canadian film-crew from filming on the island has helped to shed light on the need for further legal reforms in Bermuda. In particular, it’s time to take another look at the issue of ‘double jeopardy’ – where individuals cannot be tried for the same offence... Read more of this article
Opinion: Equality For Women Is Progress For All
[Opinion column written by Jonathan Starling] Today, March 8th, is International Women’s Day, and has the theme of ‘equality for women is progress for all’ as the official UN theme for 2014. International Women’s Day emerged out of the labour struggles and socialist movement of over a century ago, and has been adopted by the United Nations as... Read more of this article
Opinion Column On A National Science Strategy
[Opinion column written by Jonathan Starling] We Need A National Science Strategy In the most recent Throne Speech the Government made reference to a number of key ‘national’ strategies, such as a proposed National Agriculture Strategy and a National Gender Policy. These are welcome initiatives, and in many ways long overdue. What was conspicuously... Read more of this article
Alcohol Abuse, An Endemic Problem? Solutions?
[Opinion column written by Jonathan Starling] Reviewing the recent Throne Speech, outlining the OBA Government’s policy priorities for the next year, I note that, as regards alcohol, the OBA proposes to: Continues to ‘encourage those who drink alcohol to do so responsibly’; Amend the Liquor License Act 1974 to require mandatory ID checks for... Read more of this article
Starling: A Critique Of The OBA’s Throne Speech
[Opinion column written by Jonathan Starling] There are actually quite a few policies within this Throne Speech that, on the face of it, I support and I’m excited to see going forward. Indeed, there are some policies in there which I explicitly advocated in my 2012 election platform or in my SAGE submission, so I’m glad to see them going forward.... Read more of this article
Starling On Revolutionary Movements In Egypt
[Opinion column written by Jonathan Starling] As I write events in Egypt are moving at a very fast pace, with a lot of confusion. The events of the last few weeks, the coup which overthrew the constitutionally democratically elected government led by the Muslim Brotherhood’s Freed & Justice Party, has sowed much confusion, both in Egypt and internationally. The... Read more of this article
Starling: Democratic Alternative To The Monarchy
[Opinion column written by Jonathan Starling] The birth of the third in line to the British throne on Monday has given an opportunity to monarchists to try and outdo each other in their gushing support for the institution of the monarchy. It also, however, gives an opportunity to step back and consider the relevance of the monarchy today and to express... Read more of this article
Starling: ‘Same Sex Marriage Right Thing To Do’
[Opinion column written by Jonathan Starling] The Opposition Leader, Marc Bean, recently spoke on a local television channel on his position regarding same-sex marriage. He – and others – seems to be committed to making the issue of same-sex marriage a topic of our local political discourse. During the parliamentary debate around amending the Human... Read more of this article
Jonathan Starling On International Women’s Day
[Written by Jonathan Starling] A Short History The idea of International Women’s Day has its origins in the 1908 New York garment workers strike, where women protested against working conditions. The day was first celebrated in 1909 by the Socialist Party of America in honour of that strike, and in 1910 the Socialist International adopted it to help... Read more of this article
Jonathan Starling: Onward To A New Politics
[Written by Jonathan Starling, who contested C#20 as an Independent] I would like to congratulate Ms Susan Jackson, the victor in Constituency 20. Her victory was comprehensive, even if her margin of victory (78%) was lower than the then UBP’s victory in the 2007 election (83%). I enjoyed the conversations I had with Ms Jackson in between shaking... Read more of this article
Let’s Talk Some Real Trash Talk In This Election
[Written by Jonathan Starling] It is not unusual to read and hear complaints about the amount of trash talk that the two main parties indulge, a phenomenon which seems to be magnified during election campaigns. And yet, seldom do these two parties actively seek to engage in real trash talk. And by that, I mean talking about trash in the literal sense!... Read more of this article
“There Must Be No Safe Seats In A Democracy”
[Opinion column written by Jonathan Starling] Since announcing my candidacy as an Independent for Constituency 20 in the upcoming general election I have been asked by a number of constituents about why I decided to run there. They have noted that they feel it is a stronghold for the Opposition OBA. Well, there are a number of reasons why I am running... Read more of this article
