No say in who leads

October 6, 2010

Dear Sir,

Your columnist Al Seymour, writes (Royal Gazette, Monday, October 4) "the election of a new PLP leader is technically an inside job with Party delegates making the choice, but the outcome will in one way or another affect everyone". Why all of the modifying qualifications? Why "technically"?

A few dozen delegates chosen by a few PLP members who felt like coming out that night will decide on who will be the most powerful individual who will govern all of us for the next however long. And he/she will affect all of our lives in every way, not merely in one way or another. It is absurd – or should I dare say obscene? How is it that we who, at times, have made much ado about the vote have permitted a political hierarchy to deny us a vote on the most important political issue of all – who is going to govern us?

We have learned, from experience, that those of us who voted for a backbencher might as well have stayed at home. He gets paid little, does less, and must vote as he is told no matter what he thinks! Those who vote for "the Party" are no better off, according to those who are Labour, since the last thing that they believe that "The Party" has done is represent Labour interest. In fact most are not even sure who really is "The Party".

There is one thing that we all know and that is who the Leader is. We also know, if what we read and hear is true, according to both him and both his detractors and admirers, that what has mattered, or been implemented is what he wanted to do and has done and we, the Bermudian voter had no voice and no vote in choosing him. How did we let that happen? There is little wonder that we are hearing allegations of intimidation and threats or bullying in order to get the delegates' vote! The system lends itself to that. It is very easy for a strong personality, or someone who exercises power, to influence one or two of the few dozen delegates, who in turn have been chosen by whoever felt like coming out that night.

It would be a very different matter if every voter had a voice in the choice. It would be very different! This individual chosen by so few then chooses 11 or 12 MPs (no doubt those who are likely to be most accommodating) and they govern the country!

How have we, as a black Community, who so hated being governed by a white oligarchy (that is a few) from the Yacht Club have so quietly submitted to being governed by a black oligarchy from the Cabinet Office!

It is as true today as when it was first quoted, "Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely." How have we permitted our vote to become so useless and ourselves governed so undemocratically?

EVA N. HODGSON

Hamilton Parish