Letter: Independent candidates can provide both change and balance

FRIDAY, SEPT. 28: Dear Sir,

Under the party system, while there can be open and spirited debate in Caucus prior to a vote or party decision taken on an issue, positions are taken with strong influence by a small group of individuals (the ‘Kitchen Cabinet’ and special interest) who are not elected by the electorate.

Under the guise of collective responsibility, during the parliamentary debate all members must support the position adopted by the parties.

Therefore, before, during and after the debates you only hear the party lines on the issues.

All other options that may have been considered are not presented or debated.

 With independent representatives in parliament, other options will be presented, debated and at least considered. The public can then best determine if they have got the best solution.

The true values of an independent representative are freedom and personal responsibility.

His or her campaign is giving back power to the people. The people of Bermuda would have a vote that would transcend a political party’s ideology.

Your vote would be more valuable to Bermuda because it would maximize the benefits on all key issues without extreme positions of partisan politics.

An independent candidate provides the option of another alternative. Your Independent candidate is committed to addressing the following key areas of interest and concerns by encouraging joint select committees on:

Constitutional Reforms designed to improve parliamentary representation. Give power back to the people.

Social and economic bills of rights, regarding access to (a) relevant education, (b) affordable health care and housing, and (c) establishing a minimum wage.

The economy designed to ensure competitiveness, developing tourism up to a minimum of 20 per cent of GDP, and reducing the dependency on Government funded programmes.

Public Safety designed to develop policies that are comprehensive, relevant to today’s environment and adequately funded.

Erwin P. Adderley,

David J. Tavares

Independent Candidates