Following the election, UBP supporters realized that good policy was not enough to win the right to govern; the party had to deal with Bermuda’s racial legacy differently and to build a new grassroots coalition of support.
That would be a positive event for Bermuda if we had a responsible party in Government. Half of Bermuda’s population feels that we don’t (and indeed, in private, nor do many people who voted PLP). Sooner or later (and methinks its coming sooner), Bermuda’s union members must realize that the PLP is no longer a labour party.
While the party machinery still chugs along, the PLP’s actual power and decision-making seems to belong to a private clique. Labour is taken for granted. Sometimes the Union leaders appear to put their PLP role before their Union role.
Union members don’t seem to realize their power. To best represent their members, I propose local Unions spend a little more time cultivating the Opposition. You know, building a new grassroots coalition of support. You’d be amazed at how many logjams that would break.