There are moments in the life of a country when decisions are too important to be left solely to politicians. They belong to the people. Whether Bermuda should move from associate membership of the Caribbean Community to full membership is one of those decisions.

This is not a debate about whether we value our Caribbean neighbours. We do. It is not a debate about race, and it should never become one. Nor is it about whether Bermudians of Caribbean heritage belong in Bermuda. They absolutely do. Our history has been shaped by generations of people with roots in the Caribbean, Britain, Portugal, Canada, the United States and elsewhere who have helped build this island.

The question is different: Should Bermuda assume the rights and obligations of full Caricom membership without first giving Bermudians the final say? The answer must be no.

David Burt is intent on pursuing full Caricom membership, suggesting there will be greater regional co-operation, a stronger voice and economic opportunities. There may well be benefits. But there are also legitimate questions about the obligations Bermuda would assume and the potential impact on immigration, employment, housing and public services. Those questions are not anti-Caricom. They are questions of responsible government.

Before Bermuda makes a commitment that could shape our country for generations, Bermudians deserve clear, independent and evidence-based answers.

Put Bermudians First

Our first responsibility must be to strengthen Bermuda.

Our public education system continues to face serious challenges. Government itself has commissioned further analysis of Cambridge assessment results to better understand student performance over time.

For me, the fundamental question is simple:

Are we giving every Bermudian child the education and skills necessary to compete successfully in today’s economy, both at home and overseas?

The answer is no.

Employers already recruit skilled workers from around the world because Bermuda does not have enough qualified people to meet the demands of our economy. Those international workers make an important contribution to Bermuda. This is not an argument against them.

It is an argument for doing much more for Bermudians.

Our young people deserve the opportunity to build careers in highly skilled sectors, earn good incomes and start families here at home.

Before contemplating arrangements that could affect labour mobility, Government must explain exactly what full Caricom membership would mean for Bermuda’s labour market and what protections would be available for Bermudian workers.

We must prepare Bermudians to compete — not only in Bermuda, but in an increasingly competitive international economy.

The same principle applies to housing.

Anyone trying to rent a home knows the pressure families are under. Young Bermudians struggle to find affordable accommodation. Working families face high rents and limited choices. Seniors on fixed incomes are dealing with rising costs across virtually every aspect of life.

At the same time, Bermuda needs overseas workers to sustain important parts of our economy.

That requires balance, planning and a long-term strategy.

If full Caricom membership changes the movement of people or access to Bermuda’s labour market, Bermudians have a right to know what that could mean for housing demand, employment and public services.

What would change? What would not? What safeguards could Bermuda negotiate?

These questions deserve answers based on evidence — not assumptions from either supporters or opponents of membership.

Education, opportunity and public safety

Education, employment, housing and public safety cannot be treated as separate problems.

When young Bermudians leave school without the skills employers require, their opportunities narrow. When meaningful employment becomes harder to obtain, economic insecurity grows. When housing becomes unattainable and people begin to believe they cannot build a future in their own country, frustration follows.

None of this means that educational failure automatically causes crime. It does not.

But Government’s own statistics on youth unemployment and arrests demonstrate why education, employment and opportunity must be central to any serious strategy for building safer communities.

We cannot continue addressing symptoms while ignoring underlying causes. A government serious about Bermuda’s future must invest in its people.

What does full membership actually mean?

Bermuda is already part of the Caricom family as an associate member. The question is whether we should take the considerably more significant step to full membership.

That distinction matters.

Full membership brings greater participation and voting rights within Caricom, but it also brings obligations.

Before taking that step, Government should provide Bermudians with a comprehensive, independent assessment answering fundamental questions:

• What legal and treaty obligations would Bermuda assume?

• Which provisions of the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas would apply?

• What would membership mean for immigration and labour mobility?

• What safeguards and exemptions would Bermuda seek?

• What would be the likely impact on Bermudian employment?

• Could housing, healthcare or education face additional pressures?

• What financial obligations would Bermuda assume?

• What measurable economic benefits are expected in return?

These are not unreasonable demands.

They are the minimum questions Bermudians should expect their Government to answer.

Let Bermudians Decide

If Government genuinely believes full Caricom membership will substantially benefit Bermuda, it should have nothing to fear from transparency.

Publish the legal analysis. Publish independent economic modelling. Explain the proposed safeguards and exemptions.

Hold genuine public consultations where disagreement is welcomed — not dismissed.

Let those who support membership make their case. Let those who have concerns make theirs.

Then put the question to the Bermudian people in a referendum.

Let Bermudians decide.

Bermuda must face the world from a position of strength

I am not arguing that Bermuda should turn its back on the Caribbean. We should engage confidently and constructively with our Caribbean neighbours, Britain, North America and the wider world.

But international engagement is strongest when a country knows its interests and has its own house in order.

That means an education system that prepares our children to compete internationally.

It means an economy that creates meaningful opportunities for Bermudians.

It means housing that working people can realistically afford.

It means safer communities, stronger families and a government willing to make difficult decisions in the long-term national interest.

And it means giving Bermudians a voice when decisions could fundamentally affect our future.

As an independent Member of Parliament, I am no longer required to defend a party position simply because it is the party position. My responsibility is to Bermuda.

I can listen without political filters. I can ask the difficult questions. I can challenge Government when I believe it is wrong, support it when it is right, and stand with Bermudians when their interests are at stake.

That is what independence means to me. It means being free to fight harder for the people I represent.

The Caricom debate must not divide us by race, ancestry or birthplace. It should unite us around one basic democratic principle:

A decision this important belongs to the people. Before Bermuda becomes a full member of Caricom, Bermudians must have the final say. A referendum is the only way.

• Robert King is the independent MP for Smith’s North (Constituency 10)