Dear Sir,

The Progressive Labour Party often states that diversity in the workplace is of high importance, and criticises the One Bermuda Alliance for not doing enough to encourage diversity in the workplace.

Recently, they spoke of how important women are in the workplace, and held a discussion on “Expanding Diversity and Inclusion in the Workplace” at Warwick Workmen’s Club.

However, they do not seem to practise what they preach, so to speak. There are 15 sitting PLP MPs, not including Speaker of the House Randy Horton, and of that number only two are female — and only one is white.

That’s a meagre 12.5 per cent female and 6 per cent white. In contrast with the OBA, there are 17 MPs with six females and six whites. That’s 35.5 per cent female, 35.5 per cent white — and 64.5 per cent black.

So although the PLP claims that diversity in the workplace is one of its top priorities, it appears that they themselves have a diversity problem. Diversity in government is just as important as anywhere else in society because people of different races and cultures want to feel represented. The claim that “whites don’t vote PLP” most likely stems from them not feeling like they are represented in the PLP because of the PLP’s diversity issues.

If the PLP wants to be “progressive”, as stated in its name, maybe it is time it tackles its own diversity issues and lead by example.

JONATHAN JACOBS