March 9, 2014

Dear Sir,

At what stage should loyalty give way to truthfulness? Does national interest and considerations outweigh ethical behaviour and trust? I think the Bermuda public have lots on their minds these days. I know my opinion is not a poll, but considering the people I make normal conversation and street chat are from a diverse pool, usually if I draw a consensus of opinion from them, I would be foolish to avoid their thoughts.

The One Bermuda Alliance was bought in with a mandate to save the economy that would have only grown worse under the Progressive Labour Party. They succeeded in creating a more comfortable investor environment within the first year. The perception that they have a biased agenda aimed at reversing everything the PLP attempted socio/economically has gone hand in hand with any gains made by the notion of investor confidence.

The jet-gate and bribe scandals has plunged the community into a new level of despair deeper than politically admissible. Aside from the absolutely faithful, the belief in government’s innocence among the general population has been tarnished by the allegations. As it appears even many of the faithful wish to hold back what they honestly feel in an attempt to achieve what they deem as a higher good of not returning the PLP. The thought of what a one term OBA or worse a premature collapse does to investor confidence occupies the quiet space in the back of many minds.

The radical left have become even more radicalised and will seize every opportunity to embarrass the government, with no regard to the fragility of economic recovery. They don’t see economic recovery; in their eyes they see deception. On the labour front the OBA is too young and naive to contemplate the troubling waters through which they are sailing. Is there a silver lining or anyway through this conundrum. Someone said we need to call on “Mighty Mouse” to save the day. I ask if there is a “mighty mouse”, who or what that would be. For whatever it is better come quickly, because clouds are over the skies and we are sinking fast.

The OBA will have difficulty making a transition that will bring warmth to the populace, while in the minds of many, the PLP have done nothing to deserve being handed back the government. The country scoffs at coalition but desperately needs a parliament in unity on the vital aspects of our little nation. Even if there was a coalition of sorts, there will still be a need for a vision that binds the hearts and minds of people. Let’s pray and work for the best and see how things unfold.

KHALID WASI