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PLP supporters have been at pains to deny that a taint of corruption surrounds its leaders. Some have claimed there's no proof, or inclusive proof. Others have tried to claim that everyone has benefited so what's the problem? Still others have said that previous administrations have done it so why bring it up now? And then there are those whose defence is to shoot at the messengers, declaring they are acting out of some supposed ulterior motive.

No matter the defence, a scan over the past several years uncovers a style of operation that fits the label of "political corruption". And no rationale, diversion or attack can alter that fact. According to the U4 Anti-Corruption Resource Center, political corruption occurs when the rulers or ruling elites misuse the resources they control for the benefit of preserving or enriching their economic or political power.

Political corruption is the misuse of political power for private

benefit (and that could be personal or group gain), in particular the benefits of power, status and wealth. Those benefits could include:

• Status and self-indulgence;

• Manximising wealth (pecuniary profit);

• Private and collective benefits (individuals, parties, governments);

• Preservation and extension of power.

Political corruption usually involves a violation of existing laws

and regulations, but it is not restricted to illegal acts. Political

corruption also occurs when national laws and regulations have

loopholes, or are deliberately side-stepped, ignored or custom-made.

A few examples:

• Contracts without tender;

• So called "temporary" permits issued permanently (dumpster trucks);

• Bypassing the legal process (cruise ship berths and landfilling at Dockyard);

• Using public resources for private purposes (using the public purse to muzzle the press);

• Using public resources to boost or retain political power (road

surfacing just prior to constituency #31 by-election).

I am fairly certain that the rank and file of the PLP are tired of hearing their leaders accused of corruption. But the ball is in their court. So long as incidents that fit the definition of corruption continue to occur then the accusations will persist.

Case in point: the lead up to the by-election in Southampton West. A Cabinet Minister overtly used his position and the public's resources in a blatant attempt to influence the outcome of the election. In essence, Works Minister Derrick Burgess announced a few days before the by-election that roads in the constituency were being paved, that more paving would be done and that bus shelters would be built, and that all this was taking place because of advocacy by Marc Bean, the PLP candidate. Never mind that road maintenance and repaving and the building of bus shelters are functions paid for by everyone's taxes and should be routine for whichever party forms the government.

Not only was this politically selective work done, the Minister's statements were broadcast publicly and were printed for all to see on the PLP's blogsite. The fact that it was done so openly is an indication that such behaviour is currency for the PLP government, and that the Bermuda public is either unable or unwilling to stamp it out.

This behaviour cast a shadow over not just the shape and direction of the PLP, but also the person of the candidate Marc Bean, whose statements - also published on the PLP's blog - claimed his active participation in the linking of the public service of road-surfacing to his campaign and his election hopes.

How did it come to this, that the PLP which for so long claimed the moral high ground has now sunk so low?

Political corruption thrives in darkness and secrecy. We must work tirelessly to shine the light of exposure every time it occurs.

More information on political corruption is available at www.u4.no. My thanks to blogger Vexed Bermoothes for steering me to the site.

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