May 20, 2014

Dear Sir,

As someone who was closely involved with the OBA and its formation, I must state that I am very disappointed in recent events. Mr Cannonier, I feel, by resigning in such a manner has only succeeded in further tarnishing the OBA. PLP and others claim he accepted money to support the OBA and a trade to allow Nathan Landow some sort of deal. Well there has been no proof of any deal, and if there was a deal that would benefit the Island in some sort of development to create jobs then I say so what. Also, as stated by Mr Bean that if it was simply a donation to the OBA, that’s no business of anybody as parties are allowed to take donations from whomever. Where Mr Cannonier went wrong was in his statement “Nothing illegal was done, but I accept there was a failure over time to be completely transparent.” That statement bothers me as you clearly bumbled the situation. Furthermore, I am not happy with Mr Dunkley being sworn in. He should have had a temporary leadership role and the OBA as a party elect a new leader, and if he was chosen then so be it. That’s the way it should have been done. I mean how long have the PLP claimed the OBA formation was just a trick to put the UBP in power and everyone else is a puppet of former UBP members? Now, I like Mr Dunkley and he is popular in the polls; however, who was more UBP than him? So if you wanted to avoid controversy, you failed again in the way a new leader was picked without proper election from within the party members in having a vote. That was part of the OBA process in the past, to allow paid members to vote to elect their leader as opposed to just being chosen. Fine, he was deputy so in crisis then, yes, he must step in, but an OBA election should be done to be a permanent leader. The Island doesn’t need this foolery right now. People are still without jobs and more are going. I understand the PLP dug a deep hole, but I am not seeing the light yet. Get your ducks in order. You were elected to help fix Bermuda. Start fixing, because I know people in my family and close friends who have lost jobs since the OBA won. Jobs are still going, OBA. Get it together or risk being tossed out next election.

ROBERT DAVIES JR