An opposition senator has urged residents to get better acquainted with Caricom’s pros and cons.

Tarik Smith told the Senate yesterday there had been “a lot of talk” around the island about the Caribbean trading body in recent days, including in Parliament.

He said: “I do encourage Bermudians and anyone who is unsure of the benefits or the non-benefits of Caricom, whatever that may be, to research that.

“I won’t sit here and say it’s a good or a bad idea.”

He called on residents to “go out and do your research”, highlighting that “a telephone interview is going around — people are being called and many folks are unaware of what Caricom is”.

Mr Smith offered to educate residents about the regional body, adding that he was sure Senate colleagues in the Senate would be willing to do the same.

Kim Wilkerson, the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, said she was encouraged to hear Mr Smith “talk about openness, to have dialogue and encouraging Bermuda residents when they may be having questions about Caricom”.

She added: “Citizens who seem to suddenly be talking about it may not recognise that we’ve enjoyed the benefit of associate membership in Caricom for more than 20 years now.”

Ms Wilkerson added: “I think sometimes residents may not have known what those benefits are for 20 years.

“Because we are not always talking about it as a matter of course and perhaps that is something that should change.”

Ms Wilkerson agreed on residents researching the issue.

She added: “They should be doing that in the context of what’s already being done and what we already benefit from.”

This week, Michael Fahy, the shadow home affairs minister, insisted that the One Bermuda Alliance believed the people of Bermuda should get a referendum on the question of full Caricom membership.

It came after David Burt, the Premier, confirmed that there was no intention to put the question to voters.

Mr Fahy’s comments followed remarks on Friday by OBA MP Linda Smith, who told the House of Assembly that she took part in a telephone survey that sought feedback about benefits of full membership.

Ms Smith said the survey also asked whether participants felt that Caricom membership should be decided by a referendum.

She asked for details on participatory consultation over the issue.

The Premier replied on Friday: “When the consultation begins, those plans will be revealed but I can share with the honourable member, as I said numerous times in this House, this will not be going to referendum.

“It will be decided by the people’s elected representatives right here in this House.”

Mr Fahy said there “has been no real information” provided to Bermudians on why full membership of Caricom was being pursued, while government spokeswoman insisted this week that the public was being kept informed.