Dear Sir,

Except for the manoeuvres behind the Theatre Boycott and initial formation of the Progressive Labour Party, there hasn’t been a distinct movement of the middle class.

It has been the significant factor in the swing vote and the determinant that favoured conservatism, but has been ubiquitous as a silent force.

Just as the term applies, the middle class is that group which lies fancifully between the upper and lower economic groups.

The middle class is typically conservative, tending to be patient as it perceives its opportunity to attain towards the wealthier status of the upper class. Hence, added to the repressions and distress felt by the working class, is often the frustration occasioned by the seeming complicity of the middle class. In the Bermuda context, this phenomenon has played its role, particularly since the PLP split of 1965, continuing as a form of disquiet between labour objectives and a middle class that without a true political voice was easily placated by the thought of personal success and demands to secure the future of their families. It was only the frustration of the middle class’s dreams on occasion that added political weight to labour.

I was present when Sir John Plowman once commented in a fairly open setting that at one time he thought black persons would be only so happy to be a part of white establishment, but he learnt later that they weren’t happy because what they really wanted was a world they could call their own. He thought that was the greatest misconception of his contemporaries.

His words should be pinned on every wall as the words of a prophet because it has been the bane of political fortune and misfortune.

Sadly, it is only the fear of ignorance and the stupidity of the PLP that gives credence to any other political entity. In other words, the PLP could literally rule for ever if the middle class had any confidence that the country would not be ruined by stupidity.

That fact, rather than being abused, needs to be honoured because we have yet to have a clear wave or movement of the middle class.

Be warned, the economic reality of Bermuda is such that the prospects are not there as an enticement for patience.

The only sector moving is the well-established upper class, which in hard times actually expands and benefits through consolidation. Meanwhile, the middle class is shrinking, finding itself with only its pride to maintain a sense of dignity, while labour is increasingly moving towards welfare.

The difference between the middle class and labour is the middle class can say “mine eyes hath seen the glory”, hence the resentment is far deeper when it doesn’t see a way forward.

I would rather summon you to check out the history of that sociological phenomenon; for me, Haiti comes to mine.

The only thing that can save Bermuda from an imminent clash is for the emergence of middle-class leadership that has the vision of an inclusive society.

The big and perhaps only relevant question is, where will or can that take form? There are only two choices; a third is no option.

KHALID WASI