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On most occasions that I read Tom Vesey's opinions, I feel that I must challenge him. There are many unfinished responses to Tom Vesey's Bermuda Sun columns in the 'My Documents' file on my computer. But having read his column of Wednesday, July 11, I must not let Mr. Vesey's accusations and innuendo go unchallenged. After reading Mr. Vesey's most recent column, which he, or the editor of the Bermuda Sun, entitles 'Cabinet - shame on you for the silence in the face of controversy' I am convinced that he either has too much time on his hands or that he has taken to writing fiction, rather than fact. According to Mr. Vesey, members of Cabinet have remained silent on several issues, including "the big one", the "Bermuda Housing Corporation scandal" the imperial style of leadership, special development orders and the harsh clamp-down on people who criticize the government".

As I see it, all of the above are figments of the imaginations of Mr. Vesey, Mr. Michael Dunkley and others in the community who are enemies of the Progressive Labour Party Government. Let's first discuss the BHC investigation, which has been dubbed a scandal by Michael Dunkley and others. As I see it the real scandal occurred in 2002 when a person, or persons, infiltrated the BHC, stole documents and information, passed them on to Michael Dunkley, who was not the Opposition Leader at the time, who then passed them on the Mid-Ocean News. Tom Vesey and other Bermudians should be asking how Michael Dunkley was able to obtain the information to "expose" the BHC.

Mr. Dunkley and others were not satisfied that after a thorough investigation conducted by top cops from Bermuda and Scotland Yard, and a fearless and competent Director of Public Prosecutions which found no Cabinet Ministers or other Members of Parliament guilty of anything. So once again a person or persons stole a police file and it appears that this file was once again handed to Michael Dunkley, the Mid-Ocean News and other media personnel in Bermuda. Bermudians need to ask if the person or persons who stole the BHC files back in 2002 and handed them to Mr. Dunkley is the same person or persons who stole the police file.

I would suggest that rather than questioning why cabinet ministers remain silent, Tom Vesey should be questioning why members of the Opposition have remained silent knowing that their leader is purported to be in possession of stolen property on more than one occasion. He should be questioning why members of the UBP would be satisfied to have someone lead them who obviously condones theft from government offices. We all know that the Chairman of the UBP was once convicted and jailed for stealing, not documents, but drugs, from a Government department, now it looks as if the Opposition Leader in the possession of stolen documents. Is this the type of Opposition that Bermuda deserves?

Rather than questioning the integrity of the Premier and other members of the PLP Government, Tom Vesey should be questioning the integrity of the Opposition Leader and members of the UBP. To date, no member of Government has been convicted of a criminal offence, no member of Government has admitted to being in possession of stolen files or anything else stolen, yet Tom Vesey, Bill Zuill and Tim Hodgson use hundreds of column inches editorializing about the lack of integrity of PLP leaders.

Tom Vesey also questions why PLP cabinet ministers are not talking about "the new imperial style of leadership". Dictionary.com gives many meanings for the word "imperial" but the two I like best are "of a commanding quality or manner" and "befitting an emperor or empress; regal; majestic, very fine or grand; magnificent." Does Mr. Vesey think that members of the PLP Cabinet should be concerned that the Premier has a commanding quality and manner? Does he think that the PLP Cabinet should be concerned that the Premier is regal? Or does Mr. Vesey believe that these words should only be used to describe people that look like him? I believe that the PLP, and by extension Bermuda, is very fortunate to have a leader who can be described as a man with a commanding quality who at the same time is regal. Certainly when I think of my African ancestors who were kings and queens I think of such words - majestic, grand and regal. Maybe Mr. Vesey can tell me if something is wrong with that.

Mr. Vesey also questions why our cabinet ministers are not concerned about the "harsh clamp-down on people who criticize the Government". I would be grateful if Mr. Vesey would provide us with examples of the "harsh clamp-down on people who criticize the Government". I personally know of no such cases. However, I do know of cases when the previous government, that is the UBP government, clamped down, recalled mortgages and fired individuals who criticized them - but that is neither here nor there. Those incidents are part of Bermuda's history, but thankfully they do not happen in the present day Bermuda.

As I and most right thinking Bermudians see it, the country is on track - maybe not the track that Mr. Vesey, Mr. Dunkley and others want it to be on - but on the right track. The Bermudian people ensured the country would be put on a different track in 1998 and again in 2003. I do believe that after the next election, Bermuda will remain on the same track - the PLP track.[[In-content Ad]]

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