There are times in the life of every nation when it is necessary to go beyond the confines of normal discourse and to speak directly to the people. One such occasion is right now when I, as Leader of the Opposition, am expected on behalf of my party to respond to the Report of the Ministers and Members of the Legislature Salaries Review Board on the sensitive issue of increases in salaries for Legislators.

The United Bermuda Party reiterates its support for periodic reviews of the salaries of Ministers and Members of the Legislature. In addition, the United Bermuda Party wholeheartedly endorsed the appointment of the 8-member Salaries Review Board in July 2005 and cooperated fully with this Board in carrying out its duties. The Party Representatives did so for the following reasons:

[bul] By 2005 a Review was long overdue, since the last time this issue was addressed was in March 1994.

[bul] Society, its issues and challenges, have become more complex and demanding, thereby generating new issues that require both the review of existing legislation and the enactment of additional legislation.

[bul] Increasing demands are being made on the time of Cabinet Ministers and other Legislators as a result, throwing into sharp focus the difference between full-time and part-time work.

[bul] Many talented people are not getting involved in politics because they are attracted to corporate upward mobility through companies that are in a position to offer more appealing remuneration packages to employees who are considered leaders and critical decision makers. Hence this nation runs the risk of not attracting high-calibre entrants to the Legislature.

[bul] A highly respected and competent team, that was well balanced professionally and politically, had been assembled to carry out the review.

We have considered the Report and its recommendations of the Ministers and Members of the Legislature Salaries Review Board, and have come to the conclusion that we CANNOT<$> accept it. The reasons are:

[bul] It offers no objective means of arriving at salary increases, or lack thereof, for the different categories of Legislators. The Report lacks rationale for the very brief and confusing recommendations made on page 11 of the document.

[bul] There is no justification for the Committee only recommending a percentage increase which is in line with the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for Senators. Did this Committee consider that fewer Senators in the Upper House deal with the same pieces of legislation as their more numerous counterparts in the Lower House?

[bul] The Committee has not considered the entire compensation package and the impact the proposed increases, or any increases, would have on the member’s pension fund and ultimately the consolidated fund.

[bul] There is no difference between “full-time Minister of Cabinet” and “part-time Minister of Cabinet” to justify paying the former twice the amount paid to the latter.

We have given this issue considerable thought and conclude that the report has been produced under considerable time constraints. The Committee was forced to produce within four months a report that it was originally given seven months to complete.

We as servants of the people cannot put ourselves ahead of the people.<$> There has been no justifiable argument made to the people of this country as to why their Legislators need salary increases of this magnitude in the face of so many pressing social issues. For this reason alone if there were no other, the United Bermuda Party cannot and will not endorse the recommendations.

We recommend the following:

[bul] That the report be returned to the Committee for further study with a view to providing a more comprehensive report on the entire compensation package which will take into account the impact on members’ pension and other benefits.

[bul] That the Committee examines and considers the issue of full-time and part-time Ministers and subsequently provides suitable criteria by which Ministers are determined full-time or part-time.

[bul] That any salary increase will take effect upon the election of the NEXT PARLIAMENT.

I have said on several occasions that we need a vision for the Country.

The United Bermuda Party has a vision. More importantly, we have gone beyond being visionaries and are in the process of making that vision a reality. In sharing that vision with the people of this country, I promise to be honest and to keep the people informed.

I know that salaries for Parliamentarians are not easy to talk about.

We believe that if we are to have Good Governance then we need to ensure that we find suitable people to serve and pay them for their service.

We accept that in the modern world in which many professions compete for scarce talent and pay them well to do so, we have to also pay decent salaries to attract and keep high calibre political leaders. Indeed poor remuneration is often quoted as an excuse for corruption. As a result many MPs and Senators find that they have to make financial sacrifices in order to serve their country. Frankly speaking, many Parliamentarians cannot make ends meet.

My friends, we must remember that times have changed from the period in our history when only people of means served in Parliament.

Politics is no longer the preserve of the gentry. Democracy requires representation from all strata of society.

It is also worth noting that employers are not forthcoming in allowing employees to serve as politicians. A case in point is that of Senator Gina Spence-Farmer who failed to get time off from Bermuda College to serve in the Senate and subsequently gave up a job that she loved To her credit, she loves serving the people of this country more.

Right across the board, it is becoming increasingly difficult for political leaders to remain in their primary job. Quite rightly, employers recognise how demanding public service has become and the devotion and long hours that is required.

<$>We need to be in step with the public as it relates to Parliamentary Salaries and it is important that we provide all the necessary information for them to express a view and help make a determination.

We have to destroy the many myths that surround politics. Times have changed and we must therefore change our paradigm towards it.

We recognise that there is work to be done to educate the public on the work of a Parliamentarian and the demand that it places on our time.

This is a necessary prerequisite for realising the New Bermuda for which the people are yearning.

While we recognise the need for change we also recognise that, “to whom much is given, much is required.” We believe that politicians must set in place a series of measures to raise the standard of Politics in Bermuda and transform our current political dynamics. We reiterate our call for parliamentary reform and to this end recommend:

[bul] The creation of a Political Commission to investigate and recommend the adoption of modern practices that are common features of other jurisdictions to make the actions of the Government and the Legislature more transparent and accountable

[bul] A Code of Conduct for Members of Parliament and Senators

[bul] A legislative strengthening and expansion in the operation of the Members’ Registrar of Interests

[bul] The introduction of Anti-Corruption Legislation

Furbert: Why we oppose proposals