Call for UK to define 'expressed wish of the people' on independence

FRIDAY JAN. 13: Bermuda should only gain independence after a referendum result in favour, according to the Opposition OBA (read the full submission HERE).

And party Leader Craig Cannonier said the UK should be clearer on what it means by “the clear and constitutionally expressed wish of the people of the Territories” on independence.

Mr Cannonier said: “The UK must give greater force and definition to what it regards as ‘the clear and constitutionally expressed with of the people of the Territories’.”

“We would prefer to decide the issue in independence by way of referendum as this is the only way of ascertaining the ‘constitutionally expressed wish’ of the people.”

He added: “The level of support required for independence should be substantial. At a minimum, independence should only be pursued by the Government of Bermuda if a clear majority of those who are registered vote in favour.

“Only then can the ‘clear and constitutionally expressed wish’ of the people be ascertained.”

The views of the party are contained in its submission to the UK Foreign Office on the upcoming British White Paper on its relationship with its remaining Overseas Territories.

Mr Cannonier said: “The past position of the ruling Progressive Labour Party has been that independence can and should be decided following a general election, as position we regard as neither clear nor constitutionally expressed.”

The submission added that there was “sufficient precedent” for independence to be settled by referendum, with the former UK colonies of Jamaica and St Vincent and the Grenadines deciding their constitutional status by a special vote.

Mr Cannonier also pointed out that pro-independence Scottish National Party, although having a majority in the devolved Edinburgh parliament, still intended to put independence to a referendum vote.

The OBA document also calls for changes to the Bermuda Constitution and for the UK to reconsider its position that  “the time is not right to embark on further constitutional change”.

Mr Cannonier also called for the electoral Boundaries Commission to consult the public on changes, tougher rules of the registration of MPs interests and more good governance legislation.

He told the Foreign Office: “The UK may wish to convene a Constitutional Conference to consider not only such amendments proposed but also to assist in the general process of constitutional modernisation.”

And he repeated OBA calls for fixed-term parliaments and for a proportional representation voting system to be considered.

Mr Cannonier also asked the UK Government to work more closely with Bermuda and the other Overseas Territories to tackle serious crime — especially gun violence.

He added that Bermuda should also abolish the “double jeopardy” rule, which forbids an accused from being tried twice for the same offence, in line with decision to axe the provision in England and Wales.

Mr Cannonier also said that law enforcement agencies in the UK and Bermuda should work together — including the sharing of information held on the UK Police National Computer and by the Border Agency, with Bermuda offering better access to its intelligence to UK in return.