We all know that the cost of power is making life harder in Bermuda.
Oh no, I am not talking about Belco’s 20-30% rate hike.
I am talking about the PLP’s singleminded pursuit of power. The party has built this myth of “destiny to rule” … to which Dr. Brown has merrily appended “as I see fit.”
I won’t get into a game of defending the UBP; at times, they were no angels either. But there was the recognition that they had to represent all of Bermuda and there were always liberals within the party who pushed to create fairness in the Bermuda system. The UBP backbench was a rowdy place. Although they will never admit it, the PLP was the beneficiary of that support. To the contrary, the PLP has a “scorched earth” strategy.
The slogan has come true: it’s “PLP all the way.” Government has become a means to drive power to an elite and there is little concern for Bermuda, sustainability, or rule of law. That’s why the romance is rapidly wearing off for many. For example, the civil service, which has long been a bastion of PLP support now finds itself struggling to fend off attacks on its independence. On the SS New Bermuda, you either follow captain’s orders or go swimming in the wake.
The latest skullduggery in Parliament has many scratching their heads: Is Dr. Brown trying to make such a farce of Bermuda’s parliament that people come begging for a constitutional rewrite?
Shame on the Speaker of the House, Stanley Lowe, for playing the party stooge in blocking substantive debate or query on any issue. He misunderstands his role. You see, in the Westminster system, the Speaker is supposed to be politically neutral. In fact, in the UK the speaker must resign from their political party to protect that tradition of impartiality.
The Speaker has to protect the rights of minorities in the House. He must ensure that the holders of an opinion, however unpopular, are allowed to put across their point of view. This is especially important when deciding whether or not to allow the closure to be moved - that is, whether a debate can be brought to a close. If minorities have not been able to make a contribution, this will weigh with the Speaker in assessing whether the closure motion may be accepted.
