1/8/2010 11:26:00 AM Politics: Democrats’ popularity soars Alliance is slowly shaking off its NewBP tag Fledgling political party is listening to voters in order to build its platform
* File photo by Sirkka Huish. New kids on the block: Bermuda Democratic Alliance members officially launch the party outside the House of Assembly in November.
In living rooms and bars, on Facebook and in internet chat rooms, the platform of the Bermuda Democratic Alliance is gradually taking shape.
When the island's newest political party announced its arrival on the scene in September, it didn't have a name or a clear agenda.
It was easy, initially, for critics to dub the group - made up largely of disaffected United Bermuda Party MPs and officials - as the NewBP.
But the fact that, unlike the PLP and UBP, the party is not associated with a certain image, set of beliefs and policies has proved to be one of its biggest selling points.
People on both sides of the political spectrum and those who have never been interested in active politics have been drawn to the concept that their ideas and opinions will count.
"If this is what you're about, I'm sold," James Gilbert, 36, told a packed meeting at the Leopard's Club in Hamilton in December after watching one of the Alliance's roadshow-style presentations.
Mr Gilbert, who works on water filtering systems, told the Bermuda Sun afterwards: "When you have someone saying, 'We want to hear what you have to say', you can't help but respond to that."
Party secretary Michael Fahy said the first few months of the party's existence had been about exactly that - listening to what the people have to say.
He said: "We are not telling people, 'This is what we are going to do.'
"We are asking for everyone's input."
Breaking the mould of the traditional political meeting, more often associated with tea and biscuits in sleepy church halls than active debate, has been central to that philosophy.
Sean Soares, chair of the party's community outreach committee, said: "We are trying to get everybody involved, not just a select group.
"We're doing everything from very intimate living room meetings to more public presentations. Most people are of the belief that real power has to be brought back to common people."
Initial meetings have included a core values presentation at the Leopard's Club, a happy hour hang-out with returning students at Spring Garden in Hamilton and a new members' meeting at Tavern By The Sea in St. George's.
The party's Facebook site has more than 1,300 members and is an active forum for discussion of issues.
Broadening the debate has struck a chord, particularly with younger generations of voters who are disillusioned with politics.
Mr. Fahy said: "We are not going to be stuck in the old ways of doing things. There are lots of venues in Bermuda where you can host a meeting.
"'This is not your daddy's party,' is how one of our members put it. This is an opportunity for anyone - it doesn't matter who you are to get involved.
"People should grasp that opportunity."
Shaking the NewBP label may always be a challenge for a party formed, initially, by former UBP members.
But Mr. Fahy believes the more people hear from the Alliance, the more they will understand the difference.
He said: "We are not just the UBP guys.
"Six of us may have left and put this brick in place but if people honestly take a step back they will see the persons who have come on board are not 'UBP people'." Mr. Fahy added the party's MPs - Mark Pettingill, Shaun Crockwell and Donte Hunt - were only voted in at the last election and do not have the baggage of older MPs.
He believes that in terms of policy, the PLP and the UBP have more similarities than differences, dividing largely on racial lines, leaving room in the political process for another party.
He said: "We are not a labour or a conservative party.
"We're saying, 'Let's see what works best for the majority of people in Bermuda'."
The party's mantra is that they have laid a brick and would like the community to help them build the rest.
Mr. Fahy said: "We believe in transparency, a good education system, a swift, accessible justice system and a better way of governing. If we agree on that then we have some core principles in common.
"How that translates into policy is where it becomes interesting."
So far the public response has been enthusiastic.
"There was a real energy in the room and a common desire to work for change and the betterment of Bermuda," said Marian Sherratt, 56, a consultant who signed up for the party after the Leopard's Club meeting in December.
She hopes to help the Alliance draft its policies on seniors.
Whether the excitement and energy extends beyond the meetings remains to be established.
MP Shaun Crockwell admits there is much work to be done if the initial burst of enthusiasm is to be sustained and translated into votes.
He added: "The response has been great but we appreciate that it is still a novel and fresh message."
