Hurricane Webb

Renee Webb was never the most reserved member of Government. But her new-found candour is breathtaking to behold.

In the last week alone she’s criticised Premier Alex Scott for failing to do anything to economically empower the Island’s blacks, attacked Tourism Minister Dr. Ewart Brown's plans for tourism as 'disconcerting', announced her intent to bring a gay rights bill, dismissed the Social Agenda as containing little that’s new, and called for the PLP to actively recruit whites. Whatever next?!

That said, some of her comments seem a little self-serving. As a frequent critic of the media while she was a member of Cabinet, it’s ironic that she’s now happy to use the Mid Ocean News to push her own agenda.

The same could be said for her new-found enthusiasm for a tourism authority. While she was Minister for Tourism, this was an idea Ms. Webb briefly considered, then rejected. Is it possible that while she didn’t want any threat to her authority when she was Minister, now that Dr. Ewart Brown has the job she no longer cares?

On the subject of independence, the reasons for her opposition to a referendum are also disappointingly unclear (“If there is a referendum, and the majority approved, what would they be buying into?”). Ms. Webb is an intelligent woman and if anyone could be expected to articulate an intellectually honest case for deciding the issue by means of a general election, it's her.

While some have suggested that Ms. Webb is positioning herself for a leadership challenge, that’s not the way I see it. She only won her seat by eight votes and it’s unclear what effect her attacks on Cabinet and her explicit support for gay rights will have on her support at the next election. I think she’s simply chosen to make the most of the opportunity that has presented itself to push her agenda, without any thought for the Premiership or even whether she retains her seat.

One thing’s for sure. In a parliament where debate is usually depressingly partisan, Ms. Webb’s determination to speak her mind is a refreshing and very welcome change.

Comments

[jake on 21.11.04 at 17:41]

I disagree with Renee that a Referendum is not the best way to decide on independence. Allegiance to that weak position is strange in that in each of her other points she has rested with (her) principles.

As one of the more commercially minded MP's she is viewed, correctly as one a wise voice over the tourism debate. If previously her stance was inline with the Cabinet, we know where she stands on the Tourism Authority now. I welcome the old and true Renee back to the Floor of the House, and welcome also her independence demonstrating the variety and vitality of internal PLP debate.

However Phil, I do not think you get it right when you suggest a threat to her position as an MP because of her stance on human rights, coming from her constituents. They may disagree strongly, as they are welcome to do, but history shows that the PLP members who supported Stubbs (including her) were not punished at the polls.

I am very happy that Bermudians who see things through the old glasses can in the context of human rights, can still place electoral matters in perspective.

[Tiger Bay on 22.11.04 at 09:06]

Renee is the PLP's Harry Viera!

[Queens Grad Too on 22.11.04 at 11:29]

Renee Webb is one of those persons who are so smart they are "dumb". She has attended some fine universities that provide their students with excellent opportunity to prove they can learn. It isn't until you graduate from university that you really have the opportunity to practice what you learned in university and too prove how smart you really are. In life, her comments, opinions and values have changed like the weather. Within the government her comments, opinions and values differ depending on her position. Isn't she the one who had her staff "snap to attention" and members of her staff openly complained about her methods of leadership? When Renee took over Tourism she had the opportunity to revamp Tourism but she chose to tease the private sector into thinking they finally had someone who was going to give the hotel owners and managers a voice in how and where Tourism dollars were spent. Then, Renee followed David Allen's legacy and hired consultants to do a job that neither the consultants or Renee understood. Most aspects of Renee's life are up and down like a toilet seat. Now that she has a different agenda than her Government's Renee is being described as intelligent, honest, refreshing, independent, breathtaking and so on. Renee has had plenty of opportunity since her school days to form her niche and have a strong agenda of her own but she is still trying to find someplace to fit in. Renee is the type that is best suited to operating a one-person business where she works on her own and has full control of her agenda. Education and intelligence does not necessarily make a good CEO or Government Minister, it takes job experience and the right attitude. Renee does not have "The Right Stuff" and the chances of her learning what "The Right Stuff" is are slim and none. Sorry Renee...