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Last week Senator David Burch accused me of being racist.

As a new Senator, it was a pretty shocking introduction to 'race card' politics, particularly since it came out of a debate on local standards for veterinarians.

Some of my colleagues told me not to worry because that's "what they do all the time." But I have to admit, it did get to me. Anyone who has been unjustly accused may know what I mean.

I got into politics to work to the best of my ability for a Bermuda that is based on fairness, equality and compassion. I believe in public service and enjoy helping people in whatever way I can. I am also a lifelong west end resident and want to use my position to bring some attention to the area.

I chose to serve under the flag of the United Bermuda Party because I believe it is fundamentally committed to building a better Bermuda. I draw strength from the fact that its MPs, Senators and candidates - my colleagues - reflect the diverse make-up of the island today. And I know by their policies that they want to improve the lives of people.

As a Senator, I believe my primary responsibility is to serve and protect the people of Bermuda; to do what is in the best interests of all our people.

For those who do not know, the Senate Chamber is kind of a cozy place where the debates are generally conducted in a collegial manner. Indeed, at our first meeting, we were told that "things are done differently here." Debates in the House of Assembly are more confrontational.

This was all well and good until May 14.

On that day, we were debating the Veterinary Practitioners Act which was drafted to regulate the practice of veterinary medicine locally.

I was asked to prepare a position on the Bill.

I read through it and then went on to the web to visit more than a dozen sites for veterinary training in Europe, North America and the Caribbean. I spoke to colleagues and canvassed opinions among local vets on the planned legislation.

One of the concerns expressed to me by vets was the inclusion of veterinary graduates from schools in Caricom countries because none of the schools there were accredited. I continued my research and found that a Caricom body formed just last year for the oversight of health care had not yet been recognized by associations involved in the practice of veterinary medicine.

Also in my conversations on the matter, I was made to understand that the inclusion of Caricom in the Bill was done without consultation and at the last minute. This was something unusual because there had been lots of consultation with veterinarians in developing the legislation up to that point.

In the end, my colleagues and I decided to support the Bill for the larger protection it afforded the public, but we also asked a series of questions that grew out of the concerns expressed to me locally and through my own research, particularly why Caricom was included when it contained no accredited veterinary schools.

I thought the answers would help explain government thinking.

Instead, the PLP turned legitimate concerns about accreditation of veterinarians into a racist accusation. First it was David Burch on the news and then Senator Thao Dill, who was not even in the Chamber for the debate, on his radio show the next morning.

The situation has left me with a pretty clear understanding of what my colleagues and I are up against as we work for a better Bermuda. We expect the PLP will continue to play the race card to avoid discussing real issues. We're big boys, we can take it, but it doesn't make for constructive political debate.[[In-content Ad]]

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