Gaming referendum should be separate from general election

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Rumours, Facts & Opinions About The Election, Gaming and Politics:

Rumours:

1) The Parliamentary Election is to be held in late November or early December

2) Gaming/casino is to be included on the election ballot

3) The ballot containing the candidate choice and gaming is designed to get people out to vote, particularly those who have become disillusioned about the state of affairs in Bermuda.

The Election

Facts

An election is mandated by our constitution in accordance with the Parliamentary Election Act whose single purpose is to elect eligible members of the public to Parliament.

There is no provision in the Constitution for any other matter to be included on the general election ballot.

A referendum asks a question and people eligible to vote in a Referendum merely state yes or no.

Opinion

In the Westminster system of Parliament, I do not know of any other country that includes any matter other than the election of candidates on the ballot. The American system is different than ours and they do include other things on the ballot.

Particularly in our small community elections should be held as the constitution intended — for the purpose of choosing people who will represent them in Parliament and for that purpose alone. It is a choice people only have once in five years and this is even of greater importance since under the Westminster system where there are no checks and balances, the winner has control of the public affairs almost absolutely for five years.

Gaming/Casino

Fact

Gaming/casino is a commercial decision that has its own set of issues that should be resolved through a process that can be done by either:

l A vote in Parliament by a collective party position;

l A vote where each member of Parliament votes their conscience; or

l A referendum in accordance with the Referendum Act 2012, a separate act will have to be passed requiring the question or questions to be answered be set out in that act.

Opinion

With any issue, we all know there are varying views of the subject. Gaming and casinos are controversial and need to be defined as to who and how it is to be run and the benefits from it. There must be transparency and accountability. The public in all respects should and must be the beneficiaries of this opportunity, thus it must be stated how this will benefit the public.

The decision to introduce gaming to Bermuda should be done by way of a referendum, in accordance with the referendum Act 2012 and not part of the general election ballot so that the public are able to exercise their choice.

People exercising their choice by way of a referendum could:

1) Vote yes or no

2) Boycott the referendum for conscience or other reasons

Politics

Fact

A Political Manifesto is a document not sanctioned by the Constitution. It is prepared by respective parties and states what they plan to do if they should command a majority in Parliament.

Opinion

As it pertains to gaming in Bermuda:

1) Political parties can make it a part of their manifesto and state what they are prepared to do with it; and

2) They can make it a part of their manifesto as it is purely a commercial aspect of economic activity then take it to Parliament

The political process must be done in a fair and transparent manner in order for the public to make proper informed decisions about their future and the future of Bermuda.

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