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We’ve elected two different political parties and gone through five different Premiers in a little over a decade.

We still haven’t found what we’re looking for, if opinion polls are anything to go by.

So it was a pleasure, at a forum last weekend, to hear so many speakers point their fingers at the system and not the particular individuals who sit at the top of it.

This is a subject, you may have noticed, that I love to drone on about, and I spoke at Saturday’s forum too.

I left with the feeling that this isn’t just idealistic hot air.

There was widespread feeling that the ‘Westminster’ political system – at least as interpreted here – isn’t serving us well and that it should be changed.

My main objection to the current system is that it inflames the divisions in our community, and creates other divisions where they don’t really exist.

The system concentrates too much power in too few hands, encourages too much secrecy, and too often comes up with results that the people of Bermuda do not want.

Too many people are locked out of power, for too long. Too many people feel their views are not heard, that their needs are not met, and their problems are not tackled.

For decades, if you felt locked out of the system, it was natural to blame the long reign of the old UBP.

After the elation of the 1998 PLP victory had faded, it was natural to blame Premier Jennifer Smith.

After she was kicked out in 2003, and that elation faded, it was natural to blame Premier Alex Scott.

Here are some of the obvious things that I think could – and should – be done to improve the system:

Give MPs something to do. The inner circle of Cabinet makes decisions behind closed doors, leaving little for other MPs to do besides cheer their leaders and attack their opponents. No wonder they behave like bored children!

Create an open committee system. Instead of behaving like children, MPs should examine issues, policy questions and proposed legislation. Instead of attacking and berating their opponents, MPs should have public hearings to question and listen to experts and stakeholders on important issues. Instead of being rewarded for political combat, MPs would be rewarded for skill at developing public policy.

Remove symbols of conflict. Here a couple of quick and easy changes: Move the seats in the House of Assembly so MPs don’t face off against each other like medieval armies, but sit in a U-shape like the US Congress or UN Assembly. Change the title of the ‘Opposition Leader’ leader to ‘Minority Leader’.

Remove ‘whips’. Trying to coerce or compel any MP to vote against their conscience in the name of party unity ought to be illegal. It creates divisions where they do not exist, and perpetuates a party system based on loyalty rather than philosophical differences.

Reduce Cabinet secrecy. The concept of ‘Collective Responsibility’ – in which all Cabinet members always agree with each other in public — is an over-rated fraud. It adds to the feeling of exclusion, because people only see their Government considering one point of view. The test isn’t whether they will pretend to agree, but whether they will ably carry out the will of the majority.

Include ‘Minority Party’ supporters in Cabinet. They would contribute new views, soften the most offensive partisanship, and help Bermudians feel their voices were being heard.

Hold referendums on important subjects. There’s no better way of including people in the democratic process or making sure the Government is following the will of the people. Even if you are on the losing side of a referendum, you know the outcome was fair.

Mandate primaries. There should be an official primary open to members of political parties.

It would ensure all MPs are open to challenges, even in ‘safe’ districts. It would prevent party officials perpetuating their control with ‘official’ slates of candidates.

Have an official code of conduct for MPs. A huge part of the political debate in this country is really just one side accusing the other of unethical or corrupt behaviour. We need recognized and enforced guidelines to end this suspicion.

Our politicians aren’t evil, or hateful or spiteful, but they are trapped in a system that rewards the very attributes that are harming our community.

So how can things change?

No Cabinet is likely to change a system that has worked so well for them and rewarded them so handsomely.

It can only change through us.

We need to insist that our island is run the way we, its citizens, want it to be run. We must object vocally to what we find objectionable.

Letters to the editor, phone calls to talk shows, stopping our MPs and Cabinet Ministers on the street and telling them frankly what we think… these simple things can change our politicians’ perception of what it takes to win votes.

Minority Party MPs and Government backbenchers should join the battle to change a system that crushes their usefulness.

It will take time. But bit by bit, Bermuda leaders will get the message.

And when they do, they will find their roles as politicians become far more useful and rewarding, not only for the people of Bermuda but for themselves as well.[[In-content Ad]]

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