Dear Sir,

Recently, in the House of Assembly, the One Bermuda Alliance put forward some very relevant parliamentary questions to Jason Hayward, the Minister of Economy and Labour, regarding the official public feedback received on this administration’s proposed move to full Caricom membership.

The Opposition specifically asked what the international business community’s assessment was in taking this full Caricom membership step. The answers to each of the OBA’s questions were evasive and repetitive, each time referring them to the contents of the Green Paper, The Story of Us, which was released by the Government in March. So I read the Green Paper again. I found feedback on the Caricom issue from the following stakeholders:

The Government: (ie, our money “spenders”) they obviously support the transition to full Caricom membership, and there was positive feedback by the Bermuda Economic Development Corporation and the Ministry of National Security

Bermuda Public Services Union: they have some concerns

Citizens Uprooting Racism in Bermuda: fully supportive

Bermuda Cricket Board: supportive, but cites risks that require planning

West Indian Association of Bermuda: fully supportive

Bermuda Olympic Association: neutral — it does not anticipate any meaningful new opportunities with the change to full membership

Bermuda Credit Union: fully supportive, saying it is “a positive and strategic development for Bermuda”

CariGenetics (genetic testing) and DailyMale (a prostate awareness charity): both organisations are fully supportive

One Bermuda Alliance: it said its formal response will come after the Green Paper is released

So who haven’t we heard a peep from? No word from the main economic drivers doing business on the island — ie, the large international corporations/hotels that employ thousands of Bermudians, pay taxes into the public purse and inject money into the economy. Where is their input? There isn’t any (yet).

The Green Paper was released more than three months ago. There's a brief mention on page 43 that says many in the business community will submit their feedback after their review of the Green Paper, which is sensible.

These include:

• The Bermuda Chamber of Commerce

• The Association of Bermuda International Companies

• The Bermuda Bar Association

• The Association of Bermuda Insurers and Reinsurers

• The Bermuda Hotel Association

These five organisations represent the backbone of Bermuda’s economy and they hold a great deal of weight when it comes to the fallout of every government’s policymaking. These stakeholders are the main influencers of Bermuda’s economic engine. It should concern every Bermudian that these organisations have not yet made public their input, because without it we are all “flying blind”, pursuing this step towards full membership in Caricom.

On page 54 of the Green Paper:

“Bermuda is advancing the process to explore and negotiate full membership in Caricom alongside a structured public and engagement process”.

Nine years ago, David Burt and this administration promised to build a more participatory democracy that emphasised transparency, accountability and increased civic input. A people’s government.

Bermudians deserve to have the whole Caricom “story” presented, clearly and factually, with all of the real and possible risks and associated economic impact. Only then can we make an educated decision on this issue, which should be done by a people’s referendum.

BEVERLEY CONNELL

Pembroke