The UBP's exciting plan

July 19, 2003

Dear Sir,

The focus of all Bermudians as we approach the upcoming General Election should be on what is best for Bermuda, and thus Bermudians (regardless of colour or creed), as we go forward into the 21st Century. We cannot change the past but we must and can learn from past mistakes and ensure they do not happen in the future.

Numerous scandals have occurred during the PLP's almost five-year watch, whether the asbestos issue, the Housing Corporation, Berkeley, etc.., none of which have sorted out as we approach the Election. It is fine to give a child or adolescent a second chance if they mess up but to give a government a second chance to mess up a second time beggars belief.

The "old" UBP wasn't perfect by any stretch of the imagination but it appears to have learned from the past and the New UBP has come up with a viable platform to enable Bermuda and Bermudians to move forward into the 21st century. It outlines a Bermuda government with a social conscience to help those most in need. A Bermuda government which will endeavour to improve and diversify our economic base, which is most necessary in order to provide suitable jobs for Bermudians and the necessary funds for various social programmes.

What have the PLP come up with? At the time of writing, we haven't seen their platform yet, although the Election is less than a week away. More of the same? I don't believe Bermudians really have a choice this time round as the UBP is the only party to have come up with a far reaching and exciting plan for the future.

ANNE PEARSON

Hamilton Parish

The UBP has not changed

July 15, 2003

Dear Sir,

Can a leopard change its spots? Then what's all the talk about a new UBP? What's new about the UBP? The UBP still own and control the banks, the UBP still own and control the insurance companies, the UBP still own and control the major law firms, the UBP still own and control the news media, the UBP still own and control the major businesses in Hamilton, St. George and Dockyard. Let's not pretend or try to fool anyone Mr. Editor, let's face it, it doesn't matter what new face the UBP put forward in a General Election.

All those new faces represent the Old Guard. All those new faces represent the Old Boy Network. All those new faces represent the Old UBP! If you think about it Mr. Editor over the last four years even without political power the UBP have had just as much influence, power and control over the average Bermudians life as the PLP with political power.

The UBP as Opposition have had a chance to stand tall but instead they chose to remain small and consequently they've done nothing to encourage the average Bermudian to vote for them. For example, over the last four years the UBP had the perfect opportunity to demonstrate to the Bermudian public that they really do care and want to represent all the people of Bermuda and not only a select few.

Indeed as Her Majesty's Loyal Opposition it was the UBP's constitutional responsibility. They failed miserably.

I'm quite sure Mr. Editor that if you ask the average Bermudian have the UBP been a help or a hindrance in achieving their financial goals over the past four years, be they favourable interest rates, obtaining a mortgage or starting a business etc., their answer would be overwhelmingly that they were a hindrance. Similarly Mr. Editor, the UBP insurance companies over the last four year have had the prefect opportunity to do something positive for the people, not only for the elderly but for everybody. But instead, what did they do? They increased the premiums for everybody over the last four years. No question asked.

DR. AMENEMHET TAMERRY

Pembroke

Heed Dr. King's words

July 19, 2003

Dear Sir,

The 2003 General Election is a few days away and we still haven't seen a platform or any substantive issues emanating from the PLP. The 800+ people who had to advance poll did so in the absence of any PLP platform. Do the PLP think they can just take their support for granted by blindfolding the electorate? We've had five years of a Smith Government that certainly hasn't been accountable to the people and it is mind boggling that they would continue such disregard for us, the voters, by not even issuing their platform prior to the advance poll.

Anyone who thinks that they'll get better in the next five years better think again - even at election time they think they don't have to tell the people what they plan to do next! For a political party to plan their voter appeal solely on the emotional issue of race, in the quest for personal power, shows that they have contempt for the intelligence of the very people they purport to represent.

Most Bermudians have long heeded the words of Martin Luther King and discarded that "stale bread of hatred" but the PLP have nothing else in their political arsenal so they think they can manipulate Bermudian voters by using such words as "emancipation" and "affirmation". Are they so ashamed of their record over the last five years that they have nothing else?

To quote Martin Luther King again, "The old order is passing away and a new one is coming in. We should all accept this order and learn to live together as brothers in a world society, or we will all perish together". The PLP seem caught in a time warp of the 1950's and 1960's. They haven't heeded the words of Martin Luther King who, in my opinion, was one of the greatest visionaries of the 20th Century. None of us want "perish together" and if we don't get some sensitive and accountable leadership in this country, then we are surely on the path to self destruction.

BERMUDIAN VOTER

King-sized egos

July 20, 2003

Dear Sir,

In reference to the PLP's criticism of the UBP's proposed new first time owner homes that won't even fit ... king size beds? King size beds? King size beds? King size beds?

But of course to fit their king-sized egos as they wilfully misuse our finances and step all over every little man on this Island, not the least of their own supporters. When they paid under the table the outrageously expensive painter; made the gardener a rich man; lied and made false promises only to be forgotten the next day ... ask yourselves ... where did the money come from? You ... every one of you.

For those of you who are fed up and decided not to vote at all ... stand up, be a responsible adult and vote in a United Bermuda Party! Let's bring this country to its full potential.

H. MEDEIROS

Hamilton West

Judging the record

July 17, 2003

Dear Sir,

Prior to the general election of November, 1998, the PLP had no track record in government for obvious reasons. Now it has a track record and, in the days remaining until we go to the polls, this government must not be allowed to run away from its record or to try and put clothes on the emperor who is clearly naked.

Prior to the election, the PLP vilified the former electoral system as being biased, racist, unfair and gerrymandered. What they will not have the courage to admit is that it was under the same biased, racist, unfair and gerrymandered system that they won last time and not under a single seat system. The just could not win the confidence of enough members of the electorate before, black and white.

Previous constituencies were by parishes and it happened that a few were predominantly white populated and some predominantly black populated. With the new constituencies, one sees gerrymandering at its best or worse. The lines have been drawn and bent out of shape to favour the PLP. The parish of Devonshire is a good example.

The UBP has risen, like the proverbial phoenix from the ashes, and is far more representative of the Island than anything or anyone the PLP has to offer. After looking at the PLP track record since the last election, the choice is clear - UBP all the way!

KEEN OBSERVER

Devonshire