In February 2009, MP Wayne Furbert (then an independent, before he joined the PLP) tabled a motion in the House calling for a joint select committee to be formed to consider “Campaign Finance Disclosure.” At the time, PLP chairman David Burt (before he stepped down) expressed his support for the idea to the Royal Gazette.
There has never been any followup on the issue. But as general elections are now on the distant horizon, it’s time for public discussion on the issue. This post reiterates my earlier thoughts on the subject.
I agree that political funding in Bermuda needs reform but doubt that our politicians – in any of the three incestuous tribes – have the stomach to tackle it.
That’s because the disclosure of campaign contributions is just scratching the surface…
Political expenditure is also of great importance. You might also take a look at limits on donations by individuals (including the candidates themselves) or groups, as well as control of “hard money” (specific to elections) and “soft money” (given to parties for general use, or spent by independent organisations). Plus, the “register of interests” for politicians will need to be much more rigorous in content and enforcement than it is currently. Plus, binding “codes of conduct” will be required.
Ultimately this leads to the question of public funding of politics (often called “fair elections” in the US). These laws require significant transparency from candidates and often require the publication of detailed platforms and participation in public debates on specific issues.
The experience in some of the US cities and states that have implemented fair elections is that 1) the number of incumbents who are re-elected drops, and 2) the number of elected independents outstrips those affiliated with a major party.
That sounds healthy for Bermuda with its party-line boneheadedness. And plus, it would remind the politicians that YOU WORK FOR US!
For more information on “real” political finance ref0rm, see:
(This is a repost from over a year ago. It remains important … and unaddressed.)
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