Dear Sir,

What is wrong with the Progressive Labour Party?

The Royal Gazette asked the Premier if he would confirm whether there is an intention to take the issue of full Caricom membership to a public vote or referendum. He dodged the question and said “any proposed membership agreement will be fully considered by the people’s representatives” and that “all necessary information will be provided to the public as the next steps are considered”, and “it would be certainly something that we can vote on” in the House.

No mention of a referendum on such an important, vital decision!

This wishy-washy response is not good enough.

David Burt said an “aggressive agenda was adopted which covered such diverse topics as the humanitarian crisis in Haiti ...”

What about the national indebtedness of all present members of Caricom? How much is that, by the way? Are we supposed to bail them out as well? Labour parties are good at spending other people’s money.

Get serious, PLP.

Look ahead to the future of our unique, wonderful island. We don't want the murderers and thugs who are going rampant in Haiti ever to set foot in Bermuda for any reason. We don’t want Bermudians to lose their privileges — ie, to live in Britain, or be educated there, or lose the right of using Britain’s Privy Council for serious disputes among our valuable residents, or the ease of travel under a British-Bermuda flag.

Travelling under an independent Bermuda passport would be a nightmare for all of us. We will have nothing to gain and plenty to lose!

And, last but not least, I am very, very concerned at the way the PLP has allowed our national debt to get way out of control. Do we want to look like a basket case economically, like the other full members of Caricom?

It’s not just Caricom; it’s about other major issues vital to our future, such as independence.

These big issues should always be put to the public in referendums.

We, the people, should have more of an input ... it’s called direct democracy!

MICHAEL G. MARSH

Smith’s