Stop the finger pointing, start holding hands

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 9: They don’t want to see us unite:

All they want us to do is keep on fussing and fighting.

They don’t want to see us live together:

So what’s the PLP gonna do now?

This is one of the more frequent questions asked by supporters, members and detractors alike. In my post-election commentary I spoke of a few items of long time concern to many, as to what were some of the causes of us losing the government. I will speak today not only of how we will regain the government, but more importantly of how we will become a stronger party.

Post December 17 we have elected a new leader, set up a new Shadow Cabinet, and appointed three Senators. This is what we might call setting the parliamentary group. Now we have to set the internal and external organs of the party.

Public forums/Town hall meetings

There are a number of pressing items on the agenda in the coming years.

Among them; Economy, term limits, gaming, civil service levels. We have a wealth of talent within our elected members and our general membership; Doctors, lawyers, pilots, plumbers, trade unionists, skilled tradesmen — you name it, we have it.

We must go back to basics; rotating meetings at schools and workmen’s clubs throughout the island. One cry we heard was that the public felt they were not talked with or listened to. This now reaffirms that we are indeed listening.

Social events

PLP supporters are as diverse as the pieces of a jigsaw puzzle. Not everyone will come out to a party and shake a leg and skank. Likewise, not everyone will attend a wine and cheese party or Bible study.

We must return to the days when PLP held diverse social events. I don’t know how to play golf, but I know there are ton of male and female supporters who do.

Bermudian women

Let me keep it as real as possible; not only are they the hands that rock the cradle but they rock the ballot box.

Where the Bermudian women  go, so shall the Government of Bermuda. This time many women folded their arms. Embrace them, encourage them and most importantly — empower them.

Media

Persons gain their information from a variety of sources; newspapers, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram.

Too often in the past we have not taken a pro-active approach in telling our story.

Most of this new social media is completely free, so we must constantly be sending out our story.

Profiles of candidates, stances on policies, upcoming meetings and social events. Keep in touch with the people who want and need to hear our story.

Country and Family

Most importantly in this “time out” that we have been given by our people, let’s all take the time, not to just reconnect on political levels, but on social levels. The PLP represents the people of Bermuda. Not the people of Bermuda representing the PLP.

Over the Christmas holidays we saw the Gombeys come out. What we did not see was the throngs of persons following them.

This is indicative of us losing some of our traditions. We must get back to the one-on-one as an island, reach out to those you have not seen for years and those you may not even know.

Our island was built by persons doing for others as they would have others do for them.

To my fellow Bermudians of any and all persuasions, whether or not you voted for the PLP in the last election is “water under the bridge” at this point in time.

It is our job, our duty to the 14,600 who did vote for us to show we will never let you down ,we will improve in the areas that you wish to see us be stronger at.

To those who stayed away from the ballot box, it is our job to show you why you should not only vote PLP, but be part of the PLP.

We are a party in name, family in nature.

Let us not seek to only strengthen our party, but more importantly strengthen our country, our communities and our families.  Let’s stop the finger pointing and start the hand holding. Unity over division.

The brotherly love (brotherly love), the sisterly love (sisterly love)

I feel this morning; I feel this morning:

Brotherly love (brotherly love), the sisterly love (sisterly love)

I feel this morning, this morning. Hey!

Top rankin’ (top rankin’);

Top rankin’ (top rankin’);

Are you (skankin’, skankin’)?

— Bob Marley

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