Premier challenges critics of City Hall reform

FRIDAY, JULY 23: Dr. Ewart Brown spoke up for reform of the corporations in the House this afternoon saying “justice delayed is justice denied”.

The Premier said the bill to change the archaic voting system in city elections was long overdue.

He said the Act was “simply trying to modernise Bermuda” and questioned why there was no outrage over the fact that a 1920s voting system had not been updated until now.

"Isn't there some sense of indignation that this system has existed for so long?" he questioned.

He denied that the bill had been rushed and said opponents simply did not want voting reform to happen.

He criticized the Corporation of Hamilton and their supporters for labelling the bill the Brown/DeSilva takeover plan.

"Resistance has not been on the merits of what was said, but who said it," he added.

He said the Government had made many concessions to protesters in the Act but they were still not happy.

"Even when you compromise and think something is going to be more palatable and get more support it doesn't happen. It doesn't happen because you are taking away authority."

He said the real reason the Corporation was upset was because its power was being challenged, characterising its views as: "I have had something, forget how I got it, it was a long time ago, I have perpetuated it, I have created economic success out of it, how dare you come to me and say you want to take some of this away?"

The Premier also condemned protesters for harassing Minister Zane DeSilva as he left the House for lunch with his wife and son.

He said protesters had beat on the minister's car and verbally abused him.