Who will be the PLP's dep. leader?

Apparently it’s a new day for the PLP and in the full glare of public scrutiny, it won’t be politics as usual.

What you won’t hear is there’s a split within the ranks of Bermuda’s ruling party on this new ‘open book’ approach to the internal mechanics of party business. 

Historically, the PLP’s leadership race took place behind closed doors. But don’t let the new trend distract you. The real race to watch is NOT who will be the next Premier but who will vie to be deputy.

Party insiders know Paula Cox is a shoo-in for the leadership — and that includes her opponents.  What we don’t know yet is who vying to be second in command, and that’s where it gets interesting. 

Under party rules, there’s nothing stopping the defenders of smoke and mirror politics from nominating, say, Derrick Burgess at the Delegates’ Conference to be the Deputy Premier.  All you need is one other person to second that motion, and it’s quite possible he could win.

What the delegates need to consider is whether he will work with the new leader and her supporters — or plot to work against them for the top spot. 

I also hear the likes of Randy Horton might put his name up for the post.  Both Mr. Burgess and Mr. Horton joined the rebel 11 clan who supported the Brown takeover. Horton, however, was subsequently fired from Cabinet by Dr. Brown.

It’s obvious one of the lasting legacies of the U.S.-style Brown leadership has set the standard for closed door wrangling. And there are dissenting voices within the ranks who believe it will do the party more harm than good in the long run. 

I believe in openness, I believe in transparency.  But I also believe the country has had enough of this party’s back-door nonsense! 

 The PLP has a long history of in-fighting spilling out into the public domain.  I remember how the National Liberal Party formed. But that was then and this is now. 

I was glad to hear Finance Minister Paula Cox say it won’t be politics as usual on her watch. On the surface I believe that.  But when I look at the faces behind her, I cannot ignore my gut instincts. 

Watch this space.