May 26, 2011Dear Sir,I write this letter in response to a letter written in regards to my support for the One Bermuda Alliance being labelled hypocritical by Guilden Gilbert Jr.Mr Gilbert, your letter is based on misinformed information. You say that the OBA and I seem to only support enhanced democracy when it suits us best. What you fail to take into account are the facts of each situation and how they are quite different. When the BDA split occurred, it happened soon after an election so it seemed at that time that those individuals went into the General Election with the mindset to soon leave. Whether or not that is true, I cannot say, nor does it matter to me now as the BDA dissolved as the UBP should have, until we hit a glitch by some members refusing to see the writing on the wall. With the formation of the OBA, despite what the Swans say, there was much research and data collection from the people of Bermuda via various sources as well as party donor support. The vast overwhelming reply was that:1. A divided Opposition is not what Bermuda wants2. A realisation that we are not better off under a PLP government3. A view that the UBP was dead and lacked fervour to take government4. A view that the BDA was too inexperienced to take government alone5. Disenfranchisement of all parties, therefore let's just vote on racial lines6. A need for CHANGE in our government parties7. A need for CHANGE in Bermuda from its alarming state of declineThis fuelled both parties to open up their eyes to ways that needing changing within themselves to complete the task of the ultimate goal … change in Bermuda. OBA was formed on the basis of people's opinions. You were not privy to any of that undertaking, so how can you sit there and mock me on Facebook that I am a hypocrite of democracy? Recognising and responding to people's opinions (ie democracy) is what led to the OBA's formation. It was an ongoing discussion and conversation within and outside of the UBP for months. That led to a change in party politics of putting one's party before Bermuda. That is not the case with the OBA and I support that.It was time to take a look and do what the voters in the constituencies that elected those members wanted. And the vast majority, which is what democracy is based on, made a call for a unified, changed, and new choice for an alternative to the PLP Government which has left us in an appalling state of affairs. This didn't happen in the BDA formation.Now, as for the two members of the still UBP who did not want to act upon what was decided after widespread discussion and decision by the governing body what was obvious to those involved, I cannot answer for them. Let the next election show what the people think. The by-election in Warwick showed a very nice picture of the wrecked state of Bermuda. There was not a large voter turnout as people just cannot be bothered with politics here, and the UBP or BDA impressed many, therefore a vote was done on party affiliation and racial divides spun up perpetually by the PLP despite the vast mismanagement of this Island by this very PLP government. So, again, you cannot seem to see that the people did speak up. Not in terms of a by-election but in other ways. Was everyone pleased? No, but that is not what democracy is. Democracy is doing as the majority asks of us and as much I would like to please everyone which is often a task that is impossible.Also, I see you said “new” party. No quotations marks need be said with this party as in this letter alone, as well as in parts of yours as well actually, have shown that the OBA represents change. The OBA is something different, something new and despite your critical remarks, something that the people of Bermuda both wanted and needed.I would encourage you Mr Gilbert to come out and see what the OBA has to offer as you seem to want change in this Island yourself. As I said, all are welcome in the OBA despite past political ideologies.ROBERT DAVIESOne Bermuda Alliance