Our birthright should not go up for sale

“And If I have to make it easier for rich white people to own land in Bermuda that is fine! So long as Bermudians benefit.”

Bob Richards House of Assembly March 1, 2013

Some 2,000 acres of our 6,000 acres, or 38 per cent of residential zoned property, can be sold to non-Bermudians. Some say we have already surpassed this 2,000 acre cap. Now compare that to our population profile of 79% Bermudian and 21% non-Bermudian. Non-Bermudians already have the better deal. 

Granting of status would mean all land is now available to be sold to non-Bermudians. Six years ago, the average price of a Bermudian home had reached over $1 million. So with persons being able to purchase property due to status, where does that leave the average Bermudian’s hope of owning their own home? Can you afford $1million plus?

All properties will be available to be purchased by non-Bermudians. How long before they purchase Bermudian properties then raise the prices to make massive profits via resale? We as Bermudians will be purchasing Bermudian property at inflated rates from Non Bermudians.

Cost of Living

During the lead-up to the December 2012 election, the OBA promised to lower the cost of living. Since December the cost of living has gone up:

• Belco costs increased;

• Health insurance increased;

• Grocery costs increased;

• Vehicle taxes increased.

Since the year 2000,  70% of the persons who left Bermuda to live were Bermudians*. Bermudians who could no longer afford to live here or to buy a home in Bermuda. 

Do you see the OBA attempting to encourage the private sector to lower their costs for more Bermudians to return home or to remain here? Why is there a push for non-Bermudians versus a push for affordability for Bermudians?

Who really will be benefitting financially by the granting of Bermudian status?

Economic extortion

Lately we are hearing veiled economic threats.

“If executives continue to be treated like second-class citizens, then they will vote with their feet.” — John Charman, RG August 7, 2013

“My wife is American and I am Canadian and since as permanent residency certificate holders we don’t get the right to vote, we decided to vote with our feet and leave” — Kevin Comeau, RG, August 7, 2012

Note the dates above.

I don’t know of “second class citizens” who can demand anything from a government. Yet this is what Mr Charman and Mr Comeau are indeed doing.

Back to the future

In the 1960s, the UBP purposely granted Bermuda status, with the right to purchase property and to vote, to all British subjects who had resided in Bermuda for a mere 3 years. This tainting of our political & cultural make-up is still being felt today.

Bermuda — ask yourself, why is the OBA silent on this issue whilst others make the case for them? Did they dare make these statements pre-election?

Where does the OBA really stand on the issue of status for 6,075 PRCs? Minister Fahy is on record as offering children of guest workers the ability to work minus a work permit. How far away is he from making up some lame excuse to potentially offer status?

Proud to be Bermudian

We must not forget that we make sacrifices to secure better futures for our children and  future generations. Let no one trick us into selling out their birthrights. That will have far-reaching social, economic and political implications, making them the true second-class citizens in their own home.  

Like you, I am Proud to be Bermudian. We won’t bow down and we make no apologies. 

*Emigration brief by the Department of Statistics, 2013
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