Is it possible to have a debate on a serious political issue in Bermuda without racial invective being applied?

Based on the "debate" on Friday in the House of Assembly, the answer must surely be no.

Shadow Finance Minister E.T. (Bob) Richards questioned why bidders for the contract for the cement plant at Dockyard were now not being required to demolish the existing silos and replace them when this had been an absolute requirement when the lease was being renewed previously – and resulted in the Bermuda Cement Company having to sell out.

That would seem to be a reasonable question. What has changed in the last two years?

But if MPs were expecting a reasonable answer, they did not get one. Instead, they were reminded that "certain companies" – code for white-owned – got "all the work" before the Progressive Labour Party came to power in 1998.

In response to comments from Trevor Moniz, Works Minister Derrick Burgess said: "You never thought that you would have to come to slaves' children for an answer or a decision. That's the problem: he doesn't like that Mr. Speaker and he better get used to it."

And Environment Minister Glenn Blakeney added: "You are doing your master's bidding - you should be ashamed of yourself."

Is this seriously the best that two senior Government Ministers can do? Is this the level of discourse and debate that people who are supposed to be role models to the community think is acceptable?

This is not to say that Bermuda should not be having a continuing debate on race and its ramifications, and the public deserves to hear from its elected leaders how they propose to narrow the gaps in education and wealth between white and black Bermudians. But what happened on Friday was not that debate; it did not take this Island forward.

Sadly, anyone looking for a more elevated tone from the upper house – the Senate – days earlier would have been disappointed.

There they were treated to comments from Immigration Minister Sen. David Burch who, using the cover of Parliamentary privilege, came very close to libelling Mr. Moniz and fellow Opposition leaders John Barritt and Mark Pettingill when he accused them and their firms of "potential criminal behaviour".

Again, is this the best that Government Ministers can do? Is this the example that they wish to set to the people of this Country? And is it any surprise that this Island is so divided and that gun crime is so rampant when the Island's leaders set such a poor example?

Bermuda deserves better.

Conscription

Larry Marshall Sr. and the Bermudians Against the Draft organisation have waged a skillful battle against conscription in Bermuda.

In doing so, they have forced the Bermuda Regiment to focus much more closely on the efforts that it needs to take to encourage volunteers to join the Regiment and they have also encouraged a general debate on the role and function of the Regiment.

At times, they have also exaggerated the atmosphere and behaviour in Warwick Camp, and this hurts their case.

But having gone as far as the Privy Council in their fight and lost, the time has now come for the members of BAD, if they wish to be respected as good and law-abiding citizens of this Island, to follow the laws of the land, and present themselves for service in the Regiment. Those who are conscientious objectors will be heard, and those who are not need to do their service.

They have accomplished a great deal in their court and public relations battles; they should not throw it away by flouting the law.