May 31, 2011Dear Sir,For me, a reliable indicator of an approaching general election is when the PLP raises the issue of Independence for Bermuda, which Marc Bean and Walter Lister apparently did in a recent Motion to Adjourn in our House of Assembly.Walter Lister went one step further and argued that there is direct relationship between colonialism and racism, and that Bermuda could not rid itself of racism until it rids itself of colonialism. An interesting opinion, which in my view is faulty, as racism would seem to be a state of mind rather than being tied to the legal status of the land upon which we live.Raising the issue of Independence for Bermuda, and the alleged link colonialism has to racism, has historically been a ploy of the PLP in the run-up to a general election, as it is the one issue that can successfully divide our little population along racial lines. The PLP has used this ploy to create the feeling that if you are black and do not vote for the PLP somehow you are no longer black. A ridiculous concept, to be sure, but one the PLP has used with great political effect.In his Letter to the Editor, Mr Lister implied that Bermuda's legal status with the UK brought no benefit to Bermudians, and raised the question “what has the UK done for you lately”. Well, Mr Lister, about ten years or so ago, when the UK changed Bermuda's legal status, which conferred upon each and every Bermudian full British nationality, the doors to the entire European Community were immediately opened to all Bermudians. That opportunity is so significant for Bermudians of all colours, shapes and sizes and, frankly, is a gift that would last a lifetime.So, Mr Lister, I would argue that the UK has indeed done something lately and has opened a large chunk of the western world for all Bermudians to live and work in, should they so chose, regardless of who they vote for, or what colour they are, or what they might believe in.Now, Mr Lister, let me ask you this, what has the PLP done for me lately? I'm struggling to answer this question and I hope you can help me out, especially with a general election now not so far away.EHTHamilton Parish