The Opposition has called for clarity on whether the Government would put the question of Bermuda’s move from associate full membership in the Caribbean Community to the public.

David Burt, the Premier, had explicitly ruled out putting full Caricom membership to a referendum, telling the House of Assembly in December 2025: “It will be decided by the people’s elected representatives right here in this House.”

However, the One Bermuda Alliance has claimed that Alexa Lightbourne, the Minister of Home Affairs, did not rule out putting it to voters while answering questions this morning in the House of Assembly.

The detail emerged in response to questions from Opposition MP Dwayne Robinson, who said that “the most recent Narrative Research Bermuda survey of 2026 showed that 81 per cent of respondents supported a referendum on full membership of Caricom”.

Mr Robinson added that “almost 4,000 signatures have been added to a petition calling for a referendum”, asking the minister if she was “still opposed”.

Ms Lightbourne said the Government “continues its efforts to better understand the opportunities that exist” and would not make “uninformed” decisions.

Pressed by Mr Robinson for clarification, the minister said: “What we've committed to is the full information both from the UK, added to the Caricom feedback that we receive, and once we receive it we’ll be able to make an informed decision, whether it includes a referendum or not.”

Mr Robinson subsequently issued a statement calling on the Government to “clarify its current position on a referendum”, adding that “the Premier made it crystal clear that full membership would be decided by Parliament”.

The One Bermuda Alliance MP said Ms Lightbourne’s stance on the issue “seems to have softened as she could not rule out the possibility of there being one”.

He added: “While we welcome this apparent shift away from an absolute no, I ask that the Government be clear with the public on where it currently stands on whether a referendum will be held.

“During the question period, the minister mentioned the need to gather more information to make an informed decision. I was under the impression that was the purpose of the Government's Green Paper which will lead to the White Paper.

“What additional information does the Government require?”

The Shadow Minister of Home and Community Affairs said: “Once again, I implore the minister to consider having a referendum — not just as an opportunity to increase democratic participation but as a further learning and public discourse opportunity for Bermudians on this topic.”