Conclusion

As a Government, you cannot just cherry pick the issues you wish to deal with. We see things coming. We understand them. We do nothing. That has been the epitaph of many governments. We do not intend it to be our epitaph. That is why we must bite the bullet, even if it would be very nice if there were a magic bullet which could please everyone. I don't think leadership though is pleasing everyone. As someone commented, in one televised roundtable discussion in which the Government participated, "The best outcome can sometimes be measured by everyone being a bit unhappy with the end result." I suppose that, as we have discussions like this and use the framework of the Government Central Policy Unit and the parliamentary process, we have as good a methodology as any to consider, ruminate and ultimately to make policy decisions for the Island. What we have found, and though it may sound trite, is that in the policy process, whether dealing with matters as diverse as new ferries, central taxi dispatch, employment legislation, constitutional issues, e-commerce, alternatives to incarceration initiatives and international business matters, as well as immigration issues, the best policies are made when the policy makers consult with those who are going to be most affected. It does not guarantee that there will be universal endorsement and approbation but it does assist in airing the issues and in the relevant stakeholders together with the Government having a better appreciation of the relevant issues and considerations.

Thank you for your time and attention.

Small countries economics

The small physical size of a country implies few natural resources. In Bermuda's case the only primary industries possible are agriculture, fishing and quarrying. Without natural resources there can be no primary industry. These primary industries account for only 2% of the workforce. Nine small countries can be compared with Bermuda. In order of increasing land area (in brackets) they are :

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Until 31st July 1989, Bermuda's Long Term Residents had the legitimate expectation that should they conduct themselves in a constructive manner within the community they could eventually be granted status--i.e., the equivalent of citizenship in other countries.
The Minister has failed to disclose in her speech the following points which were revealed in her Ministry's Green Paper:
•Of the 1400 which in 1998 were eligible for the previous Government's equivalent of a Permanent Residency Certificate, only 551 applied.
•Of the 551 of those that applied, more than 77% were over the age of 50, past the age they are likely to bear children. They are also likely to be established financially.
•Approximately 20% of this number had resided on the island for more than 30 years without any rights.
•More than 50% are blue collar workers, generally supportive of labour Governments.
• 80% are estimated to be white, approximately 15% are estimated to be black, and slightly more than one percent are estimated to be Asian.

It appears that the Government's motives are based purely on politics with little consideration for human rights. Could it be that the Bermuda Government's primary concern is that the great majority of these individuals are white and not considered by the Government to part of their core constituency?

The Government's proposed solution as outlined in its Green Paper is little more than a dusting off of the UBP Government's Working Residency Certificate. Without extending complete citizenship rights to Long Term Residents of 20, 30, and 40 plus years, the hardships experienced by these people and their families of past decades will continue unabated and will germinate discussions of "intergenerational fairness" amongst the Bermudian children and grandchildren of Long Term Residents for years to come.