June 4, 2014

Dear Sir,

The One Bermuda Alliance BA constitution has a dilemma effecting the options for the party. The current constitution requires that a new leader must be a parliamentarian and must be endorsed by two other sitting MPs and other provisions meaning that they must be insiders and cannot be brought in.

The constitution is unlike the party’s prior position in the election of Craig Cannonier as leader, where he was a non-parliamentarian who was facilitated by John Barritt vacating his seat.

It means the OBA is now hamstrung by its own constitution having no other options but to look within. They can probably go ahead right now and print party paraphernalia with the leaders name inscribed because there isn’t anyone from within that could win against Dunkley if he decides to run.

Its not that Dunkley is a bad leader — he is a good leader committed and will work hard. Much like Mitt Romney who by comparison is a great leader with good work ethics, strong business sense, it’s that the demographics which was supporting him shifted long ago and the tide continue to go out. His support base is righteously locked in a mindset whose era has past.

Yes we have all past the era of race bating and polarising antics but so are we past the era of servicing economic elitism. The world is on a collision course with the one percent haves against the vanishing middle class and the have not’s.

In Bermuda with our close proximities breading unintentional ostentation, becoming an almost inescapable environment where everyone wants what the other has and believes it’s within reach by any means.

It’s like the statement “I don’t care how you got it, or how many generations you’ve had it, I want the same thing and I want access to it now”.

While the sentiments may appear irrational they are natural and finds its philosophy among the struggle for human equality.

Right wing conservative ideology isn’t wrong, it’s just misplaced in a world where there is inequality and agreeably Communism is not the panacea. Within the concept of the brotherhood of man there is the notion that all men are equal and entitled to certain inalienable rights.

It should mean the pathway and road to prosperity must at least be open to everyone. It means that leaders demonstrably should have shown what and how to make the world a better place for all.

The overly glorified trickledown theory has no real precedent that this generation can appreciate as a concept.

Technology and communication has blown the world wide open leaving behind the political world in an archaic time warp.

How can a political organisation remain relevant when issues and needs that require urgency and dynamic action are stymied by institutions and processes?

In order to be electable the OBA needs to grow beyond its perimeters but is prevented by its constitution. What good is a constitution if it prevents the organisation from being electable?

Here is the time to build a true political alliance; there is Terry Lister out in the wilderness trying to form a party, there are numerous others sitting at the edge of their seats on both sides unhappy.

To borrow a name from a friend who I’m sure would take delight in seeing a transformation, maybe they need another awakening that will bring the essence of what the OBA initiative was truly meant to be.

Maybe there should be a new organisation “without a written constitution” formed and be called “Bermuda First Alliance” BFA.

One thing the OBA should have learned by abandoning a name, is that hope is built when you define a new construct and direction.

The OBA needs to live up to the last word in its name and become a true alliance rather than what it has been as a party.

Face the facts the OBA had some good intent, but was fabricated wrong from the start. For the good of the country they need to understand like the quote, “the price of freedom is eternal vigilance” for Bermuda to attain towards freedom that principle applies.

Transform; reform; don’t try to paint the house when it needs a complete renovation. The time to do it is now.

KHALID WASI