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Efforts slanted in favour of non-Bermudians

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Expressing their anxiety and concerns: Bermudians praying together peacefully during the labour unrest

Dear Mike,

I hope this finds you in reflective spirits, as you certainly have much to contemplate.

One thing for sure, you have proven to be very persistent; focused on a very specific goal. Your One Bermuda Alliance colleague, Leah Scott, stated it very clearly a few weeks ago:

“Minister Fahy is not elected; however, in 2012, when we became government, Minister Fahy chose immigration as the ministry that he wanted and since that time he has clearly and steadfastly pursued his own agenda.”

Recently, you had to deny making racist remarks, stating:

“I find racially inflammatory language disgusting, and I will use whatever legal means necessary to ensure that those perpetrators are brought to some form of justice in the courts. It seems to me that all of us as leaders should call these things out, ... we have a duty to nip it in the bud.”

You have the right to deny something that starts off with: “The rumour mill has it ... ”, but the courts will have to decide if this is a legal matter and one worthy of their time.

Some will say it is all well and fine you wishing to take people to court for slandering your name. Some will go on to cheer your statement about how leaders should nip these sort of insulting remarks in the bud.

However, Mike, why is it that on March 5 you felt that you had the right to slander Bermudians on social media by claiming that those who supported bipartisan comprehensive immigration reform were “dangerous and prepared to destroy Bermuda for their own selfish agenda”?

You see, Mike, here is where hypocrisy gets defined. The group you referred to consisted of thousands of Bermudians of every stripe, occupation, denomination, sexual orientation, political affiliation and Cup Match persuasion.

These Bermudians were mothers, fathers, grandmothers, grandfathers, aunts, uncles and community cousins.

They were doctors, lawyers, tradespersons, pastors, retirees and students. They were Bermudians who exercised their right to take a peaceful stance to protect the future welfare of our Bermudian children. Did they throw Molotov cocktails, as frustrated people do in the Middle East? No.

Did they burn and loot buildings, as frustrated people do in Europe? No.

Did they fight with police officers, as they do in America? No.

All they did was peacefully express their anxiety, hurt and concerns.

Let us revert to the words of your own OBA MPs:

Leah Scott: “It is completely dishonest for Minister Fahy to say that our Bermudian children and future generations will not be affected by this legislation. The reality is that there are PRC holders who have children. They will be granted status and their children will become Bermudian. The reality is that the majority of PRCs are white. The majority of PRCs will be fairly well connected. Accordingly, it is those Bermudians who will get the jobs, thereby displacing our Bermudian children.”

Shawn Crockwell: “I am very concerned and feel as if we are going backwards. This is 2016 and this issue is clearly divided along racial lines ... If you cannot gauge how the people are feeling, then you cannot lead them.

“As the Minister of Home Affairs, your responsibilities include establishing a national training plan, which, according to you in May 2013, was ‘an urgent priority for the Government ...’, as it ‘ ... will fulfil our goals of ensuring that Bermuda ultimately reduces our reliance on overseas labour because we have carefully considered the future needs of the economy and developed our people accordingly’.”

Three years later, and still no national training plan.

Three years later, and Bermuda is still facing unprecedented unemployment levels.

Three years later, 60 per cent of our tiler positions are filled by work permit or permanent resident’s certificate holders.

Three years later, 44 per cent of our mason positions are filled by work permit or PRC holders.

You see, Mike, you have demonstrated an overwhelming — some say overbearing — amount of support for the concerns of the interests of non-Bermudians.

In sharp contrast, you have a clear track record of dismissiveness — some would say outright disrespect — to the very same people that your party will seek votes from at the next election.

Oh, the irony of it all.

Causing offence: Michael Fahy’s Facebook post to the One Bermuda Alliance