Madame Premier,

Members of the Cabinet, Parliamentary Group and Central Committee,

I am delighted to have been afforded an opportunity to offer a critique of the Progressive Labour Party and I do hope that it will be one, that is focused and ultimately helpful in motivating us toward bringing about progressive change, within our party. A party that we are all committed to.

First, a little background. I like to think that I along with some members of my generation represent in many ways the future of the party. I think that I can say without the risk of recrimination, that I was born into the Progressive Labour Party and the movement that spawned it.

Nothing illustrates this better than the following story: The year is 1968. All over the country, election fever is in the air. In many households that are supportive of the PLP, there is an expectation that victory is imminent. In my household, things are no different. The enthusiasm is contagious, so much so, that my brothers and I are determined to play our part, by carrying campaign literature and buttons to school - the school being Mount Saint Agnes Academy - so that we too, can take part in a historic event.

Being quite young at the time (11,9,7), we had no idea that somehow our lobbying and distribution of PLP promotional items to our schoolmates, would be inappropriate.

What really got us in a right mess however, was that not only were we distributing the above mentioned items but my younger brother, the apparent entrepreneur of the family, took it a step further and actually began to sell the buttons, much to the chagrin of the hapless nuns, who were not too amused.

Of course, my other brother and I were not too amused either, because it was soon revealed that the brother in question, had intended to sell his supply, without giving a requisite cut of the profits to ourselves.

Back to the matter at hand. The central challenge to the Progressive Labour Party - as I see it - is essentially synonymous with that which faces the country at large. And that is, how can we transform this institution in such a manner that it better reflects what should be our core democratic values? Perhaps paradoxically, while the Party has fought for and achieved its goal of ensuring the civil rights of our people and thus the creation of a more democratic Bermuda, it has in the minds of some, been at times less than ready to truly embrace certain democratic values, within its own ranks.

To some this charge may seem unfair. After all the party-as only recently demonstrated-holds regular elections for party officers and generally succeeds in adhering to its constitution. At first blush the Party is a healthy democratic organ. But is it? And I think to answer this, you need to look beyond the fa?ade of mere process and also undertake to make a necessary distinction between on the one hand-the abstract belief in democratic principles and on the other, the actual practice and implementation of these principles.

Someone once wrote that often times the seeds of ones demise are planted at the height of ones success. Unfortunately, I do think that that may apply to our party at this moment of our history. No one can deny that the Progressive Labour Party now sits as a colossus astride the Bermudian political landscape. The United Bermuda Party, once a fierce adversary is now experiencing an almost precipitous decline in its fortunes. In my opinion, its days as a viable political organisation are limited. Yet, there remains a sense of disquiet within our ranks, that in many ways pre-dates the most recent spate of party elections that saw the retention of Premier Ms. Jennifer Smith as Party Leader.

The basic outline of my critique is as follows:

1) Far too often the party is intolerant of opinions that do not necessarily comport with those, who may currently enjoy dominant roles, within the party. As a consequence, a spirit of collegiality is often found wanting at various levels of the party apparatus. And it would be a mistake to confuse the prevalence of "group think" with true consensus arrived by way of honest and frank debate.

This lack of a basic democratic culture on the part of some, is only reinforced by too many within the rank and file who I characterise, as those who support the party based upon faith alone. As if the party were some form of religious institution that doesn't require you to utilise your critical faculties but only to occasionally reaffirm your faith in those saints, that you have invested so much in.

To be absolutely fair, during my time in the Party over the last seven to eight years, this state of affairs was not always the case. It must be said that our late leader, Mr. L.F Wade certainly fostered a climate within the party that welcomed a diversity of views, far more than is currently the case. The party's vigorous strength during that period serves only to confirm-in my view-this analysis.

2) I pose the following questions: Does anyone really know what the party believes in? Frankly, I'm not sure that even I can answer that. Does the party possess a coherent philosophy? Something more than just some vague notion that we support the common man or to borrow a thoroughly Bermudian, somewhat outdated clich?, "the grass roots". Truth be known, many aspects of our agenda are items that are over a decade old. Some, such as electoral reform and Independence go back at least 30 years.

Have we begun to define an agenda and a sustainable vision for the 21st century? And more importantly do we apply the required intellectual rigour and willingness to abandon habits and ways of thinking that no longer serve us? Are we as a party mature enough and secure enough to embrace those who have trod the road less travelled? Individuals, who while possessing the intellectual capital required, find a party that provides no real fertile ground for the type of intellectual inquiry that is the life blood of the modern political environment; this at a time when the new global currency is that of ideas.

A party that fails to promote a critical and analytical examination of various viewpoints and issues, in a climate of democratic openness risks stagnation and decline.

In a "New Bermuda" nothing should be off the table for discussion whether it is 60\40, Fiscal Reform, The Marginalization of our African Bermudian Men, Independence or Black Economic Empowerment. Our strength as a party will be largely determined, not by what we through fear and insecurity obscure but rather by what we engage and reveal. Simply put, in a world of open platforms, open borders and the decline and eradication of autocratic and hierarchic structures worldwide, the party's almost obsessive devotion to secrecy is anathema.

One cannot hope to withhold information in the modern world, one must learn to manage it instead. Information is power but it is no longer a power wielded by the few it must now be the engine of empowerment for the many. Our party must learn to adjust to these new realities.

3) Revolves around the question of ownership, or what I characterise as the "Old Guard Syndrome". This refers to those individuals who are present at all levels of the party, from Cabinet level on down.

These are our brothers and sisters, our fathers and mothers who have been involved in the party for the better part of its institutional life and have borne the brunt of failure and the ostracism that was such a part of the Bermudian political landscape, over the preceding three decades.

I am under no illusion that we, the younger generation and Bermuda as a whole, owe them a great debt. Yet, it must be said that there are some within this group who have confused, longstanding devotion to the party and its ideals with a sense of ownership of the party that it is at once negative and destructive.

These are those who act as if the party is some sort of exclusive club and all those who enter it, do so at their pleasure. No doubt, informed by the psychic scars inflicted by the long battle, they exhibit a bunker mentality that is limiting and stifling. This too impedes the growth of our democracy, which cannot thrive in a climate of mistrust and paranoia, they must learn to have confidence in those that they will - of necessity - pass the baton to.

This great party deserves no less. Lastly, allow me to say that everything that I have said thus far must be placed in proper context. Though my remarks have been directed towards the party, I must emphasise that you will find that the same critique is applicable to most organisations within our community, particularly within the Black community of which we are apart.

It is the nature of political power however, that magnifies the problems of a relational nature that I have discussed here tonight. This party and those who serve in it after all, is nothing if not a reflection of this community. And as such, we must be cognisant of the historical baggage that we all carry and which continues to affect us in very profound ways. Unfortunately, the constraints of time will not allow me to broaden my critique any further. Suffice to say, that I should before I conclude my remarks, offer a brief prescription.

Firstly, and most importantly, let us begin to check our cynicism at the door and consciously endeavour to promote free and open dialogue at every level of the party. Cynicism is corrosive. In addition, let our leaders be the exemplars of this new spirit by actively encouraging this process of democratic renewal, both within the Party and without.

Two let no opinion be sacrosanct and no issue off limits for discussion. And above all, while being nice can hide a host of sins, let us always be frank, honest and tolerant with each other. Three, let us be pragmatic in our approach to issues but not at the expense of our core values or principles.

We must be courageous in defense of our convictions. Four, let us begin today to define the 21st Century agenda for our party and for our country. Five, let us embrace change by being less reactionary and more progressive and inclusive in our approach not only to the great issues of the day, but with each other as well.

Six, our party must be more proactive in communicating to those whom we serve. It may come as a surprise to some but there has been some change in the manner in which the party is covered in the media. This too is one of the benefits of our victory at the polls. Our job should be to ensure that these positive trends continue.

The reality of politics in the modern era is that the media needs us just as much as we need the media. We must continue to manage this relationship in a positive manner. The demands on those who govern in this regard are far greater and the spotlight of public scrutiny more intense.

In conclusion it has been an honour to join you here tonight to begin this journey. I do hope that my modest contribution has been of some service.

May God bless you all and may God bless the Progressive Labour Party.