December 4, 2012Dear Sir,Will you please allow me to comment on the following. The UBP hired a consultant to advise them on the way forward after their electoral defeat in 2007. The consultant recommended that the UBP use “black surrogates” as a way to increase the UBP’s chances of getting elected in the future. This has caused much debate among the various media outlets in Bermuda. Blacks and whites have been insulted by this suggestion. The PLP have tried to use the content of this report to influence their support base and in this writer’s opinion distract the voters from their record of governing. It has come to light that in fact Michael Dunkley did comment on this report on or about September 17 2009 to The Royal Gazette’s reporter Tim Smith.This is what he said: Asked if the UBP had taken that advice, Mr Dunkley replied “No, it did not happen. That report was an embarrassment to me and an embarrassment to the members of the party”. The report went on to suggest Mr Dunkley was too much out in front. To which he replied “well duh, I was the leader of the party” and “Give me a break, I do not need to surround myself with anybody other than the people I trust and the people who can accomplish the goals that we need to accomplish.” On tokenism he said: “It has been in the past. I have always thought it to be wrong. You can ask anybody. I think it’s unfortunate that it happened. I have always tried to change that. think we have made great strides on that. It happened a lot 30 years ago.” Mr Dunkley goes on to say: “The sooner Bermuda politics start to resemble what President (Barack) Obama did in the USA the better, because you vote for the person and not the colour of their skin.”May I conclude that credit be given to Mr Dunkley and his colleagues for condemning this report when and how it relates to the use of “black surrogates”. The OBA is fortunate to have the likes of Mr Dunkley as a member of their team. With their leader Craig Cannonier and a host of experienced and new members with new and fresh ideas the future bodes well for Bermuda. To the people and all candidates, I wish you good luck and may Bermuda be the winner!JOHN BROMBYSandys