NLP: Give Bermuda status to all long-term residents
Bermuda's third political party has come out in favour of Government's bid to ease the plight of long-term residents -- and asked for Bermuda status for all of them.
National Liberal Party spokesman Graeme Outerbridge also urged the ruling United Bermuda Party to make special arrangements for divided families, allowing them all full Bermuda status.
And he added that the suggested US-style Green Card system could be extended to include exempted company business people who want stability in Bermuda but do not want status.
Mr. Outerbridge said: "We are particularly concerned about the children of long-term residents who have spent their entire lives in Bermuda and know no other culture.
"Our position is for the Government to grant all long-term residents Bermuda status and to clear the backlog of difficult special cases and split families.'' He added: "Further, we would like to see an open-minded policy for the future that would give the Minister of Home Affairs the latitude to rule on special cases regarding Bermuda citizenship and to grant those choosing the Green Card process status, if they so desire, at the end of the process.'' Mr. Outerbridge said that many Bermudians had made their homes in foreign countries and become nationals of their adopted land.
He added: "We cannot be myopic on this matter. Too many Bermudians already benefit in other countries while in Bermuda, our policy has been a high stone wall.'' But he said: "It is very encouraging to the NLP to see Government actively embracing ideas and issues that we put down in our last election platform.
"Good ideas deserve support regardless of their origin and we commend the UBP for using and adapting our ideas.'' Meanwhile, Mr. Outerbridge also took a swing at the Bermuda Industrial Union's "hypocrisy'' in its handling of the recent dispute at the docks. The dispute involved BIU first vice-president Chris Furbert in a row over the sacking of a nephew. Mr. Outerbridge said: "The union has for years highlighted conflict of interest in the Bermuda business community. Now they have cast themselves as hypocrites when their first vice-president Chris Furbert disrupted the Bermuda docks without even attempting to go through proper notification procedure on behalf of a relative.
"Bermuda should not be held to ransom by such narrow emotional stupidity.'' But Mr. Outerbridge said that Government had also handled the dispute poorly.
He added: "There is more at stake than election votes and the Government must hold the union accountable to the law of their agreements. The past year has been a downward spiral in labour relations and the Government must take a leadership role in reversing this dangerous trend.'' It is understood the NLP is to contest the Pembroke West seat vacated by former Government Youth and Sport Minister David Dyer. Party leader Charles Jeffers -- who admitted a disappointing showing in the recent Devonshire South by-election -- has already said he will stand. But Mr. Outerbridge -- who yesterday declined to comment -- could be well-placed to throw his hat into the ring for his party.
`Too many Bermudians already benefit in other countries while in Bermuda, our policy has been a high stone wall.' -- Graeme Outerbridge POLITICS PTL