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The Independence Commission Report is a remarkable document that manages to be vitally important and pathetically useless at the same time.

It does absolutely nothing to advance the independence debate. It reaches too many vague conclusions based on vague evidence, and skirts around many of the most difficult and contentious issues. The new facts it contains – mostly updated versions of old facts from old reports – are unlikely to persuade anybody to change his or her opinion.

You would be hard-pressed to find anyone in Bermuda whose opinions are changed or whose passions are fired up as a result of the commission’s work.

Of course, those who are passionate on the subject already – both for and against independence – will find sections to support their cause.

And if by chance they cannot find support in the document itself, they can always point to the report’s shocking omissions and errors.

But it all balances out in the end. There is nothing to convincingly tip the scales one way or the other, and nothing to spark un-ignited passions on the subject.

Even the report’s conclusions – at least those that specifically relate to independence – are vague and inconclusive.

What, for example, are we to make of the sage advice of the commission’s conclusions on international business?

“Of paramount importance, therefore, is that politicians from all political parties clearly recognize the importance of international business to Bermuda and all Bermudians.”

The real issues

Yet despite this inane uselessness, the Independence Commission’s work has been extraordinarily valuable. It clearly identifies two of the most painful issues our island faces: a painful legacy of racial inequality and resentment, and a contentious, acrimonious style of political debate.

It calls on Government to treat both of these problems with urgency. Courageously, given that it was formed by a pro-independence premier to examine independence, the commission insists that neither of these issues will be resolved by independence.

Furthermore, the commission insists that these issues need to be addressed now, whether we move towards independence

or not.

“Only by acknowledging the genuine and legitimate historical grievances, and thus resentments, can Bermuda embark upon the process of healing …” the commission concludes on the subject of race.

“This factor is the most significant issue needing to be

addressed, independence or not.”

As for the style of Government, the commission says, the Westminster style of adversarial party politics may have served Bermuda well in the past, but it is in desperate need of reform as we move forward.

“As long as both political parties continue to view the legislature…as a debating forum where the fundamental issue of what is right or wrong for the country and its residents takes second place to the political balance sheet, Bermuda will not be well-served. The challenges facing Bermuda today require that there be a change in this style of

governance.”

There is, in fact, somewhere out there a deep yearning for something better — for a Bermuda that is united and caring and fair.

There is a widespread yearning for a system and tone of politics that serves to help and heal us and not tear us apart.

There is also a widespread yearning for a process that will build trust, rather than nourish fear and suspicion.

Perhaps that is one of the reasons the independence debate – among the people of Bermuda, as well as the Independence

Commission itself — has been so hesitant and inconclusive.

Perhaps the independence debate has too often embodied the very things Bermudians are trying to shake themselves free of – the racial division and political hostility.

Even now we have a report that is bound to inflame divisions by containing sections on ‘myths’ and ‘benefits’ of independence, but no sections on its risks and drawbacks. And it is bound to build distrust and resentment by including a lengthy submission from the ruling Progressive Labour Party, while not including a submission from the United Bermuda Party.

This is also illustrated by the premier’s flat refusal to allow Bermudians their own voice in an independence decision, and his churlish dismissal of the huge referendum petition: He claimed the 14,000 citizens who signed did not know what they were signing.

If our Government could convince us that it had the will – and the way – to heal Bermuda’s huge racial and political divisions and animosities, then more might feel enthusiastic about independence.

The Bermuda Independence Commission has provided little guidance for ordinary Bermudians trying to feel their way along a path towards independence.

Most people’s minds are already made up, so it makes sense to have a referendum quickly and move on to other, more important things. The Independence Commission report has provided clear and important guidance for our political leaders about what we really need to accomplish. Let’s get on with it.[[In-content Ad]]

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