Betcha didn’t see that coming, did you? I know I didn’t. Mind you, neither was I aware that the Opposition PLP were apparently plotting to undermine the referendum. I had not heard a peep until the Premier claimed a plot was afoot, and quite how that would work and to the detriment of those wanting a yes vote, is still not clear to me.

On the other hand I was aware that the PLP, like many others, myself included, were unhappy with the wording of the question; and here I was thinking that alternatives would be proposed in debate on the Hill and that the respective positions of the two parties would emerge, which, frankly, seemed to me a pretty sensible and straightforward way to proceed.

But alas, that was not to be, and all discourse was scuttled when the OBA Government decided to pull the plug on the Gaming Referendum Bill because of what they thought the PLP might do. Pity that.

It might have been useful and instructive to hear argument on the Hill on the wording of the question, particularly in view of some of the criticisms which, as I note, didn’t just come from the PLP. It might also have been useful to evaluate alternatives. For sure, I think most of us understood that gaming was being advanced to help invigorate our struggling economy and that the overriding goal was jobs and hotel development. Speaking for myself, I never thought it was just being promoted for fun.

You can take sides on the efficacy of institutionalised gambling for Bermuda. Most people do. But today it is worth reflecting on how the neverendum referendum came to an end. There are a couple of take aways.

As it is, we are left wondering who to believe as to who said what and what was intended. None of us were privy to THE conversation. Take Away No. 1 folks: this will almost certainly bring an end to private telephone conversations between our representatives unless they are tape recorded and everyone present knows that they are being taped. It is also unlikely to have enhanced the chances of future possible behind the scenes collaboration.

The controversy has however, added to the usual political intrigue that occurs on and off the Hill. Tell you what it looks like too, and I think the voters get this, whether they agree with what went down or not: one party will never ever allow itself to be seen as letting the other get one over, or worse still, be seen to pull a fast one, real or imagined.

So in this case, a Bill is pulled, a promised referendum abandoned, and the OBA gets to put it to the PLP and call out their leader who once challenged the Government to forego a national vote and let the House decide — which is apparently exactly what will now happen, but a whole eight months after the event, notwithstanding (go figure) the apparent urgency. Take Away No. 2: Always be careful what you wish for when your mic is on and you are being recorded.

Meanwhile, we are told that a new course is being taken because it is in the national interest. If I was sold on gambling I might feel the same way. But what is lost in the latest manoeuvres and machinations is that the people have been deprived of their say, and this is particularly galling for those who are not sold on gaming but who had been promised a voice and a vote by way of a referendum.

Good luck with petitioning your MP. From all we know to this point, it very much looks like both parties have already come to a decision in favour, and it seems most unlikely that the whip (to vote in support) will be removed; particularly for OBA members, one presumes, who will be required to back a Government Bill. They also happen to have the numbers to make it happen no matter what is said or done between now and then.

The Senate may or may not be a different story, although I doubt it.

It is to my mind a classic illustration of the old elephant story — and no, not the one about the proverbial elephant in the room. This one is Swahili fashioned around their observations on the plains of Africa: whether elephants make war or they make love the grass always suffers. Now when you think grass, think voters. That’s Take Away No. 3.

Hey, you might think that things might have been different if voters here had the right to initiate a referendum. Pity that. Too pie in the sky for Bermuda, you think? Not necessarily. You may recall that one of the parties campaigned in the last election on the promise to give us just that as part of a package to improve governance in Bermuda. No prizes here for guessing which party that was. Merry Christmas everyone.

n Do have a safe and happy holiday everyone and if you wish to share your views please do so on The Royal Gazette website or write jbarritt@ibl.bm