Burgess’ resignation

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When politicians resign over alleged transgressions, it’s common for them to deny or play down their actions but state thy are going because they have become a needless distraction from the Government’s more pressing business.

That, in essence, is what Transport Minister Derrick Burgess said on Wednesday night. He said he had always acted in a manner worth of the trust of the people. He had recently had a “discussion” with another Minister. The “discussion” had been “embellished” in the media. The subsequent controversy was a distraction for the Government. So he was resigning.

Never mind that witnesses have reported that the “discussion” with Cabinet Minister Michael Scott turned physical and was over Mr Burgess’ alleged disloyalty to Premier Paua Cox, it’s always easier to blame the media.

In fact, Mr Burgess has been under pressure for some time. He had a disagreement with the Premier over the Bermuda Land Development Company which resulted in her taking responsibility for them away from him. Capital works projects carried out during his tenure as Works Minister had attracted controversy. In Transport, he has had some success, notably in appearing to have settled the long-standing dispute with bus operators over a new schedule.

Nonetheless, disagreements with Ms Cox have been ongoing, and reports of unhappiness with Ms Cox among supporters of former Premier Dr Ewart Brown and Mr Burgess have been common. Mr Burgess’ statement stopped short of giving support to her personally. Whether this was a case of commission or omission is not clear. But it is telling all the same.

What is certain is that there are deep divisions within the PLP, and this row has brought them out.

The question now is whether they will widen or be papered over. It is worth noting that Mr Burgess remains deputy leader of the party, even if his status as Deputy Premier is uncertain.

It may also be that he is more of a threat outside the Cabinet than within; certainly he made Dame Jennifer Smith’s life a misery when he was a backbencher and she was Premier.

There is some good news in all of this. The fact that Mr Burgess has resigned and Walter Roban resigned earlier this year for allegedly giving fellow MPs favourable treatment on planning applications shows that Ms Cox is prepared to either fire or accept the resignations of Ministers who breach standards of conduct.

That has not always been the case. In the past, there has been a tendency to brazen out calls for resignation, no matter how egregious the wrongdoing.

The risk for Premier Cox is that you can have too much of a good thing. Too many resignations for poor behaviour will make the public believe the Government is irredeemable.

That Mr Roban has replaced Mr Burgess suggests that he is now seen to have done his penance. Some may also see this as a sign of the lack of talent on the PLP backbenches.

But it is more likely that Mr Roban’s tremendous loyalty to the party and its leaders is the real reason for his redemption.

And by all accounts, Ms Cox needs loyalists now.

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