MP Wayne Furbert has tabled a motion in the House calling for a joint select committee to be formed to consider “Campaign Finance Disclosure.”
PLP chairman David Burt expressed his support to the Royal Gazette. However, Mr. Burt’s “define your opponent” dictum sticks in my mind … it’s not clear if his comments are just non-committal personal sentiment or if his party really embraces the reform idea. This is a turnaround in opinion for both Mr. Furbert and Mr. Burt from just a year ago.
And don’t forget that when the UBP ran an ad in the last election declaring its candidates’ business interests, the PLP responded with the attack of “UBP on the take”. And the PLP has voiced vague support for PATI and open parliamentary committees for years without taking any concrete actions. And finally we still have the big “pay for play” elephant lurking in the room. So, take it with a grain of salt.
I agree that political funding in Bermuda needs reform but doubt that our politicians – of either side – 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 two-party boneheadedness. And plus, it would remind the politicians that YOU WORK FOR US!
For more information on “real” political finance ref0rm, see:
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