Don't be silent about what's wrong

It has been several weeks since my initial article, providing a retrospective look at the PLP’s track record since 1998, was published in the Bermuda Sun.

Since that time, as I have walked the streets of Hamilton or been out and about in the community and even while at home, I have received numerous calls and expressions of support from ordinary Bermudians, both black and white, rich and poor, blue collar and white collar, male and female encouraging both myself, and in turn the Bermuda Democratic Alliance, to continue be bold and to tell the truth about the current political environment.

From the single, college educated black female who is having difficulty finding a job in her career of choice, to the black construction company owner lamenting the lack of access to lucrative government contracts due to unfair bidding practices, to the taxi driver who told me that he cut out my letter and framed it because finally someone was saying in print what thousands of everyday Bermudians are feeling, to the white business executive who stated that for too long people have suffered quietly in silence out of fear of retribution, it is glaringly apparent that the winds of change are slowly blowing and this is being fuelled by the widespread dissatisfaction of more and more Bermudians with the current political status quo. This now begs the question — where did the PLP go wrong?

Riding on a wave of hope and optimism in 1998 the PLP had a golden opportunity to show the nay sayers exactly what a ‘Black” government could do. Many voters and members of the PLP, like me, were pulling for the “party of the people” to succeed and to show fairness, tolerance and integrity in all political matters. Unfortunately, once the PLP assumed the reins of power, it did not take long for the trappings and accruements of that power to divert the party away from taking care of the people’s business.

The UBP, now decimated after three successive losses at the polls was, is and will continue to be, a weak, ineffective opposition that the PLP government can steam roll over at will, therefore the PLP has not been held accountable for its failure to respond to the basic needs of the electorate. Twelve years on, the political landscape is damaged by a lack of inclusiveness and failures in transparency. The pitting of Bermudians, one against the other based on race, has been a tool used far too often by this PLP government and political intimidation, rancour and general disrespect for differing political views has become the order of the day. Now as Dr. Brown prepares to step down, those left holding the bag in the PLP will attempt to distance themselves from Dr Brown and his divisive tactics.  

The electorate will see a sort of re-branding of the PLP as a kinder, gentler Progressive Labour Party, a party that will now listen and respond to the concerns of its base. However, don’t be fooled into thinking that there will be any real, substantive change. The damage has been done. The PLP bus was hijacked and the majority of PLP MP’s went along for the ride. Whilst a few brave souls half-heartedly tried to wrest back control they were sent packing to the proverbial back of the bus after being duly intimidated and reprimanded.

Those who decided to lay low and be the “cog in the wheel” must therefore reap what their leader, who decided to ‘plough the ground’, has sown. During this wild ride of spending and excess, the decent, hard-working people of Bermuda have been, for the most part, silently watching this scenario play out while the economy worsens, crime increases along with the cost of living, and Bermudian society at times, feels like it is coming apart at the seams. Fear of being labelled a ‘house negro’, a ‘slave master’ or worse kept too many of us silent. We all have stained hands as a result.

Being silent spectators to this debacle has not served Bermuda well. The members of the Bermuda Democratic Alliance are prepared to stand in the gap for the people of Bermuda. We humbly ask for your support. The time of standing on the sidelines must come to an end. Now is the time and this is your opportunity to make a real difference. The BDA will continue to hold the PLP accountable and although many of you no longer know where hope lives, especially amongst our youth, there is hope.

There is power in your vote. You see, the government is like a Board of Directors of a Company. It reports to us — the Bermudian shareholders — the stakeholders of Bermuda. It is time for a new Board of Directors. It is time for a Better Way — it is time to vote for BDA.

Sylvan Richards is a member of the Bermuda Democratic Alliance and is a member of the Alliance’s executive committee.