The Royal Gazette today reports breaking news that the UN has passed a resolution regretting that Bermuda is not particularly interested in independence.  And **shock** neither are most of the other tiny geographic curiosities on the list.

They say their mandate will not be fulfilled until the 16 remaining states either go independent, go un-independent (integrate into another independent State), or seek free association with an independent State.  There are no other options in their vocabulary.

Here are a couple of signs of how irrelevant this is to your life:

• The text of the resolution regarding Bermuda rarely changes much from year to year.  They are going through the motions to fulfil a 50 year old declaration.  They don’t give a shit whether independence is a viable option for us, or what the electorate feel about it.  They just want to update their scorecard.
• The resolution was passed without vote by the UN General Assembly.  Rubber stamp.
• It was passed on December 10 and you are only now hearing about it.

We’ve got other problems that are more pressing. The UN regrets that our Government is not spending more time marketing independence to Bermudians.  But 70% of Bermudians say they do not want independence at this time:  any efforts to counter-productively “educate” us on the subject will be met with hostility  and suspicion.

“Not only could someone here become the Premier, but maybe someone here could become the Prime Minister of Bermuda.”

It is worth noting that a poll last week found that 73% of Bermudians oppose independence.

Only 7% of Bermudians between 18-34 support it.

And before the fanbois start questioning the poll:  the sample size was significantly larger than that of the most recent Tourism survey.

The reality is that support for independence is lower than ever in Bermuda.  It is rock bottom.  And so, from a spin doctor perspective, I guess it can only grow.

The disinterest in independence is no surprise as, frankly, Bermuda’s got other issues to deal with first.  Dr. Brown’s “reign of error” has reminded Bermudians how fragile and dependent we actually are.  The overwhelming spirit of unaccountability, irresponsible spending, and community decline during his four long years in office has really hurt Bermuda.

Dr. Brown has invested heavily in a spin machine to portray himself to the world as a successful world leader.  I am not sure the facts support the hype.

Dr. Brown’s enthusiasm to be Prime Minister doesn’t conjure it into reality.  It will take years to “dig out” the damage done under his watch.

We had a glimpse of how they conduct themselves during the OTCC pre-meeting this weekend, where they seemed to fixate on the issue of independence.

PLP MP Walter Lister said “I encouraged the delegates not to remain Overseas Territories but to prepare themselves and their people to assume their rightful position among the other nations of the world. Colonialism is a hold over from a previous century which really has no place in today’s world.”

For his part, the Premier gave a toast “to the people of the overseas territories – not to be known forever as territories.”

To put it bluntly, the PLP have no mandate to pursue independence for Bermuda.  Public polls show that Bermudians are not only significantly against independence for Bermuda but, in fact, their support has shrunk since the PLP took office.  Who wants to venture into the unknown with leaders you are not really sure you can trust?

You’ve got to wonder what the other OTCC’s think of Bermuda’s behaviour?  Contrast our politicians’ agitation versus the more measured approach taken by the Cayman Islands in recent discussions at the UN on decolonisation:

The Cayman Islands was represented by barrister Steve McField, standing in for Premier McKeeva Bush. He was sent to share with the attendees that Cayman did not have a mandate from the people to seek independence; he was also there to assess what was happening with other overseas territories regarding the issue of self governance. In his presentation he agreed with previous speakers that a nation-building process must take place for the exercise of self-determination to be successful.  Outlining the history of the Cayman Islands under various forms and degrees of colonial administration, he said that, due to careful and forceful negotiation among the people and with the administering power, Cayman now had “one of the best arrangements” in the world.

Indeed.  Of course, the exact same thing could have been said about Alex Scott’s own “Bermuda Independence Commission” boondoggle a few years back.

But perhaps I am being too hard on Mr. Scott.  After all, he is the Premier who committed the Bermuda Government to pursuing Freedom of Information and Anti-Corruption legislation back in 2004.

Umm, err, except that we still have neither.

XL has operated in Ireland for most of its corporate history and is very familiar with its regulatory and legal environment. Ireland has strong international relationships as a member of the Organisation for Economic Co-Operation and Development (OECD) and the European Union, a long history of international investment, and long-established commercial relationships, trade agreements and tax treaties with the other European Union member states, the United States and other countries around the world. As a result, XL believes Ireland offers a stable long-term legal and regulatory environment with the financial sophistication to meet the needs of XL’s global business.

Here’s the AP’s take on XL’s move onshore:

Many companies have been incorporated in Caribbean islands for some time due to the tax benefits that they can provide. The islands have traditionally used their low tax rates to lure multinational corporations and hedge funds. But the recession has hurt revenue for many islands in the British Caribbean, which could lead to higher taxes for companies based there.

A few take aways from this:

1. Reputation matters.  Small island craziness and Fortune 500 governance standards do not mix well.  Bermuda must clean up its act on the streets, in Government, and in Parliament.
2. Size matters.  Small islands don’t carry much weight in international regulatory circles.  Independence makes that isolation even worse.
3. 2016 is coming.  Bermuda must move to clarify the status of our tax exemption on corporate earnings.  The business sector sees the exploding Bermuda Government deficit and worries that a shakedown is coming.  The international companies will move to protect themselves, particularly as the local community seems unwilling to demand that the Government live within its (our!) means.

XL’s already reduced operational headquarters will remain in Bermuda, but going forward more than half the board meetings will be in Ireland.  A few fewer “tourists”.  Hey, if Doc keeps up his track record, pretty soon there’ll be so few that he can personally greet em.

Reading this stuff, we seem to still be engaged in fighting the fights of our grandparents and parents … time for the next generation to get involved in Bermuda’s leadership I think.

The 1967 debate criticizes the power of the island’s white oligarchy of the time as well as the history of political gerrymandering.  This too jumped out at me:

On the question of racial tension in Bermuda, I say, very seriously indeed, just one thing. It is possible to have white people in a community who try to stay too white for too long. I think that this danger has now receded in Bermuda because there is a real awareness on the part of the white people that a multiracial community has to be built up. At the same time, it is possible for the reactions of a coloured majority to be extremely strong.

What I hope will be avoided in Bermuda is the trend among not all but some part of the P.L.P. to fight for their policies on purely racialist grounds. I hope that that will not gain ground. I can understand it if it does. I can well understand the kind of motivation which leads to a party fighting for people of its own race to develop this predominantly political awareness. The influence of the American Civil Rights movement and particularly the more extreme elements of that movement have to be regarded.

My hon. Friend the Member for Meriden said last week that the P.L.P. recently held a meeting in Bermuda at which all whites were asked to leave. I have checked this and found it to be true. I can understand how this happens, but I do not think that it is best either for the P.L.P. or for the people it represents. It can be possible to build up a multi-racial society in Bermuda without the tensions and dangers which have been mentioned but the tricky point is whether the chance to create such a community is taken or whether people will put too much emphasis on racial politics.

Also this on independence:

I do not accept for a moment that our granting independence to Bermuda, with its total dependence on outside resources  … would make independence in any way a reality when we talk in terms of sovereign countries elsewhere with substantial populations … it is essential that they [Bermudians] work together and not apart because Bermuda, if they are working apart, is nothing at all.

You don’t need me to hold your hand; go read the transcripts yourself.

The Special Committee of 24 defines self-determination as free association with an independent State, integration into an independent State, or full-bore independence.  The UK argues that a 1970 UN resolution (Principles of International Law Concerning Friendly Relations and Cooperation among States in Accordance with the Charter of the United Nations also makes clear that “any other political status freely determined by a people constitute modes of implementing the right of self-determination by that people.”

In addition to again calling for Puerto Rican independence, the Special Committee of 24 are also working on the perennial “omnibus” draft resolution entitled “Questions of American Samoa, Anguilla, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Guam, Montserrat, Pitcairn, Saint Helena, Turks and Caicos Islands and the United States Virgin Islands”.

Interestingly, the committee seems to recommended the recall of the Constitution of the Turks & Caicos in the face of TCI’s current political crisis, welcoming the UK’s efforts to restore good governance and sound financial management there.

This is their Cake.  And they are Eating It Too.

Are they just being silly twats?  Or is this one of the crude sub-plots they like to throw in every now and then to liven up the circus?

You see, a Governor General is the Queen’s representative in an independent Commonwealth realm.

A Governor acts for the British Government.  Following independence, a Governor General is merely the personal representative of the Monarch appointed on the advice of the Prime Minister of that realm.  The role is normally only ceremonial, or with some limited constitutional duty conducted on the advice of the Prime Minister.

Yup.  It’s quite remarkable that they would indulge in such follies when Bermuda faces so many pressing issues, public support for independence is so low, and official policy – from the Beloved Leader’s own mouth – is that “independence is on the backburner for now”.

UPDATE:  Someone has now retroactively corrected all the PLP online references to Governor General.

One example was to be found in the UK this week, where the Chancellor of the Exchequer announced that the UK Treasury is to conduct a review into the regulatory environment of the Overseas Territories that operate as financial centres. In context, his move is spurred by the huge losses that British depositors suffered in the failure of Icelandic banks this autumn, to ensure it does not happen again with potential liabilities for the UK Government.  He named, in particular, the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands.

There is little cause to worry about this from Bermuda’s perspective.  On the whole, the BMA and the Ministry of Finance are doing the right things. Bermuda’s Finance Minister (on damage control yet again) calls the inquiry “understandable”.

So why did Dr. Brown fly off the handle in Bermuda’s Parliament about it?  (Surprise! Who knew that Parliament was meeting?)  This is the third week in a row that the Premier has added some “pop and sizzle” to Parliament – and his response is wildly inappropriate and dangerous for Bermuda.

Whether UBP or PLP, whether young or old, whether Black or White, whether royalist or revolutionary — this should be an affront to every Bermudian.

Yes, you guessed it, his response to a banking regulatory inquiry is to froth in favour of independence.  Sigh.

To all Bermudians who want Independence and to all Bermudians who do not want Independence, I say to you that Independence will rightfully and righteously come – perhaps not soon and perhaps not on my watch. But, Independence will come – because it is the inherent right and desire of any individual and any nation – to be free.  There is an irony in the timing of this UK Treasury review. At a time when nations around the world are basking in the glow of the historic US election, some of the British territories are being brought to the knees of our colonial master by this intrusive intervention.

Knees of our colonial master?  Please take a breath from the hysterics to GIVE ME A BREAK!  Damn, where’s my beret gone?

Seriously, this review will not be the only one that Bermuda will have to endure.  Bermuda has no choice but to cooperate, whether or not its the UK or the US France or any of the other countries that have indicated they intend to look into the offshore sector.  Some are difficult.  Some strengthen Bermuda’s attractiveness as a place to do business.

And bringing Obama into it is terribly ironic as the President-elect is a sponsor of some of the very legislation aimed at Bermuda!  Some of his “basking glow” may be used to execute exactly what Dr. Brown is railing against the English about!

A more measured and mature response was called for.  One that talked about how he’d work with Bermuda’s stakeholders to preserve the island’s flexibility while meeting the requirements of major jurisdictions.  One that left those observers of Bermuda with the feeling that we had a calm and organised government.  A little more statesman and a little less brinksman.

What goes on in Cabinet these days?  Do they have a competition to see who can do the craziest shit in public? In this time of financial instability – and doubts amongst the international business community about the island’s future – now is not the time for distractions and firebrands.  Erratic outbursts like this reverberate for a very long time.

Bermuda will have to satisfy the big jurisdictions whether we are independent or not.  Dr. Brown is fixated on his personal dreams of independence, ones that most Bermudians do not share.  With this inflammatory rhetoric, he is not helping our situation. In fact, he is hurting the country he loves.

“It will come in time. Either we will work our way out of the house, or they will throw us out.”

A cynic might speculate that he aims to be such a pain that they cut us loose.  Nice strategy.

“Sometimes people raise the question: why don’t you call a referendum now? Because I’m not stupid. I would lose. That’s not my job, to see that we would lose on an issue like that.” 

But your job is to listen to the will of the people.  It is not to play a manipulative cat and mouse game until you get what you want.

The PLP website accuses the Royal Gazette of obsessing on the issue.  I think it’s the reverse: the PLP leadership insist that independence is the only logical endgame when most of the population do not want it.

“Independence is still on the table,” Dr. Brown told nearly 150 Bermudian students who travelled from universities across the UK for the opportunity to question the Island’s Leader on a range of topics including escalating violence, the economy and whether Government intends to break ties with Great Britain. Although the Premier said the majority of Bermudians would vote against Independence today, he expressed confidence that a referendum in the not-too-distant-future would support the Island’s transition from a British colony to a sovereign state.

A statement to the same effect by the Premier’s spokesperson before the election last year was hastily retracted by the Premier who said:

“The Press Secretary made a mistake … My party’s official position has not changed – that is that we prefer to do it via a General Election.”

My guess is that the party line still has not changed at all … and that the PLP will eventually seek to link a General Election to the issue of Independence.