In the last session of the House of Assembly, I asked a number of parliamentary questions of the Minister of Home Affairs regarding Caricom.

1, The date upon which a Green Paper will be published on full Caricom membership for Bermuda? (A Green Paper is a preliminary document published by the Government that outlines proposed changes in policy, and is intended to stimulate discussion and consultation. This is usually followed by a White Paper, which is policy document produced by the Government that sets out its proposals for future legislation.)

2, Under what circumstances would the Government of Bermuda consent to the free movement of nationals of Caricom member states to Bermuda? (Article 45 of the Caricom Treaty requires all member states to have the goal of free movement of Caricom nationals.)

3, Whether the Government of Bermuda will put the question of full Caricom membership to the people of Bermuda via referendum?

In short, the minister advised that:

• The Green Paper would be published in the first quarter of next year since the Government is still waiting for information through a draft agreement from Caricom

• She did not accept that free movement of Caricom nationals was under consideration — despite that from October 1, Barbados, Dominica, Belize and St Vincent & the Grenadines have agreed free movement of their nationals, which includes access to jobs, education and healthcare without restriction

• The question of Caricom membership would not be by way of referendum

Let’s begin with the question of referendum. As the people of Bermuda are asked to consider joining Caricom as a full member, I firmly believe that a referendum is essential to ensure that Bermudians have a say in this critical decision. The potential implications of full membership are far-reaching, and it is crucial that Bermudians are given the opportunity to engage in a meaningful discussion about the benefits and drawbacks.

A referendum would provide the most democratic platform for Bermudians to participate in the decision-making process, allowing us to have a direct say in the future of our own country. This is particularly important when we consider a decision that could have significant implications for our economy, culture, immigration and long-term sovereignty. By holding a referendum, we can ensure that the decision to join Caricom is made with the full support and understanding of Bermudians.

Given the Government’s numerous surveys published seeking our opinion from whether to update signage laws to input on lowering the cost of living, it seems obvious that a referendum should be undertaken. It is not a decision that should be left to Members of Parliament, especially where the Government will likely instruct its members to vote a certain way. A referendum would allow for an informed decision that truly reflects the will of the people.

Meanwhile, merely asking for clarity, consultation and honest dialogue on Caricom is somehow an attack on Bermuda. The Progressive Labour Party has spent a considerable amount of time attacking the One Bermuda Alliance as a result of questions we must ask on Caricom. Let me be clear. No one in the OBA is afraid of Caricom. What Bermudians should be afraid of is a government that cannot tell the difference between transparency and propaganda. If the Government wishes to be taken seriously on the future of Bermuda’s regional integration, it must start by respecting the intelligence of the public and admitting its policy inconsistencies

The PLP wants closer ties with our Caribbean neighbours but is against any free movement of Caribbean nationals. In fact, limited free movement of persons may in fact be a significant boost to Bermuda’s economic fortunes and help solve our population and job-growth issues. This must be explored, not rejected outright. Perhaps the reason the Caricom secretariat has taken more than a year to send a draft agreement to Bermuda is because of the PLP’s outright rejection of Article 45.

The OBA’s desire is to see open and transparent debate, full analysis of the pros and cons of Caricom and the opportunity for the people of Bermuda to decide on full membership by way of a referendum. Our concern is with the process to date, which has been slow on details and fast on rhetoric.

• Michael Fahy is the Shadow Minister of Municipalities, Housing and Home Affairs, and the MP for Pembroke South West (Constituency 20)