The UBP's new leader

With the elevation of Wayne Furbert to the leadership of the UBP, the party has an opportunity to reinvent itself. However it's going to require strong, decisive leadership from Mr. Furbert and if mishandled may actually lend credence to the allegations that the party is more concerned with style than substance.

Despite his intelligence and integrity, it was Grant Gibbons' failure to capitalise on the PLP's difficulties that led to his downfall. His lack of charisma contributed to this. The fact that some black Bermudians still regard him as a personification of the white business oligarchy that once ran Bermuda probably didn't help either. Mr. Furbert is regarded as more personable and does not have the same associations. Because of that, there are reasons to hope that the UBP may become more effective under his leadership.

However, his election is unlikely to silence those who criticise the UBP for being a white party. Although only one of the party's three leadership positions is now held by a white person, it won't stop these critics reminding us of Jim Woolridge's comment that the UBP don't mind a black man being in charge as long as they can tell him what to do. If Mr. Furbert wants to defang such accusations, he must make it clear that he is now the one setting the agenda.

Will he do so? I don't know. Today's editorial in the Royal Gazette suggested that "he is not seen as being a natural speaker", which isn't a good sign. He showed a deference to outgoing leader Grant Gibbons bordering on the obsequious, referring to him as "my good friend Grant" on three separate occasions.

Mr. Furbert also said he wanted to be judged by the content of his character, not the colour of his skin. Yet as a leader Mr. Furbert will be judged on his ability to provide leadership and give the UBP direction, not on whether he's a nice guy. Dr. Gibbons is a nice guy too, but that did little to boost his approval rating or get the UBP elected.

The other danger is that if he does impose his authority on the party, he does so behind closed doors. Today's announcement took me by surprise because I was unaware of the internal "facilitated meetings" discussing the leadership that have apparently been going on since October. Because the public have not been privy to these discussions the party has left itself open to the accusation that the only reason for the change of leadership is "to put a black face on a white party".

The contrast with the recent contest for the leadership of the UK's Conservative Party is stark. There, the election of David Cameron was preceeded by months of public discussion. It resulted in a healthy debate on the party's direction and gave the public an insight into the merits of the candidates. Since being elected, Mr. Cameron has announced a wholesale review of the party's policies, which has already led them to discard promises made at the last general election, just eight months ago.

Mr. Furbert should announce a similar review of the UBP's manifesto. Policies that are no longer appropriate should be discarded and innovative new ideas put in their place. Where the party has no policy (such as on the addition of sexual orientation to the Human Rights Act), it should formulate one. Once these policies have been developed, the UBP must drum them into the electorate. No politician would disagree with bland promises such as "a better deal for seniors", "making sure that everyone has a part of Bermuda's economic success", or "our young people must be the best".

If the UBP are to win the next election, Mr. Furbert has to do better than that.

» The initial reaction of readers of this blog to the change of leadership can be found here.

Comments

[Yet Another Limey on 18.01.06 at 13:45]

Instead of not revealing their policies for fear the PLP will steal them

What’s the worst that could happen, the UBP comes up with an idea to improve Bermuda, the PLP say that’s not a bad idea lets do it, and as a result Bermuda is a better place.

If they think politics is just about arguing about opposite ideas then they could always get into a ‘we thought of it first’ kindergarten style argument.

One day, midway through the usual heated debate about nothing in particular, I’d love one politician to suddenly stop and say ‘is this the five minute argument or the full half hour?’

The UBP should look at the UK Conservative party’s David Cameron’s new approach to agreeing with and supporting the good ideas the government has, I know it really threw Tony Blair a curve ball.

[Phil on 18.01.06 at 13:55]

YAL

Point taken, but if the electorate doesn't give the UBP credit for their ideas then the UBP won't have the opportunity to implement them. And doubtless the PLP won't implement the idea in quite the same way that the UBP would.

I don't think the Tories would be content with simply being an ideas factory for the Government either.

[Silencio on 18.01.06 at 15:50]

"Instead of not revealing their policies for fear the PLP will steal them, the UBP must come up with a better strategy for dealing with that theft when it happens."

I think it is a bit much assuming that we have not seen UBP opinions/ideas because they fear the PLP will steal them. The "plans" they put forward during the last election led very few people to believe that they would result in real solutions. Their 2003 housing plan in particular lacked real depth and demonstrated a poor understanding of the problem. That campaign was far more style than substance, hence why the PLP was still able to win. Also, let's not forget that they lost the Government in the first place because it lacked real solutions (Contrary to popular belief on this blog, Bermuda didn't start going down the drain in 1998). Another thing - the MPs across both parties don't quite strike me as being very capable in the first place. I would not at all be surprised if the real deal is that they just haven't got much worth saying.

I believe that emphasis on criticising the PLP is because the UBP as a whole has not come up with a crystalised way forward for Bermuda on the heavy, complex issues. And with the more divisive issues like independence, I would bet that they simply keep silent because they are feuding over it. It was very refreshing to see Furbert comment on how he'd vote on independence, but Bermuda needs far greater engagement from our leaders on this issue and others.

I'm not going to vote for the UBP because they are the nicer party. I will only do so when I believe that they have a superior offering to the PLP. That means show me your ideas now and not just in the heat of the moment when both organisations are promising the moon and stars. If they are prepared to let the country slide backwards during the years prior to a general election for the reasons you mentioned, then I'd say that they have missed the point and don't deserve my support. Don't on the one hand preach that the PLP is destroying the country, but stand by and not offer solutions because what you really want is to be king of the hill.

Like an application for a job, they need to demonstrate that they are capable long before they are hired. I meed to see proof that Scarecrow finally got a brain. Hopefully Furbert is going to actually demonstrate real leadership with real ideas instead of just politicking. If he does so, I just might vote UBP. But as it stands the PLP or ABC will get my vote.

[SmokingGun on 18.01.06 at 15:59]

The problem with coming out with goods ideas and implementing them is how to do it and make sure you are getting a piece of the action. This works for those in and out of power. Call me a cynic but as long as our politicians have day jobs with vested interests and personal gains to be made based upon their decisions I think this is the biggest stumbling block to creative progress. I can't believe all our politicians are so dumb that they can't come up with any bonafide plans and get them implemented at a reasonable cost to the tax payer.

If you had a couple of sustainable ideas that could directly or indirectly benefit you through your day job and you knew they could easily be implement, would you share them with the enemy knowing full well you could get hurt on a personal level?

When I look at some of theings being done by the current government I seriously wonder if they are just setting themselves up to make hay whilst the sun shines and for continued personal gains should they lose power in the next election.

John Swan was so bold as to try to corner the McDonalds market in Bermuda having spent years spouting off that no franchises should be allowed to diminish the character of our island. If he can try to get away with it then why wouldn't anyone else? I also happen to think this mentality runs rampant in the day to day lives of many Bermudians.

[Bill Cook on 18.01.06 at 16:11]

Silencio,

Interesting post and posts.

Would you care to tell us, given your insight into the requirements you would need to vote for the UBP, why you will continue to vote PLP if in fact that is how you currently vote ?

[Bill Cook on 18.01.06 at 16:27]

Smoke,

Power is, some say, the ultimate rush and transcends money etc, as those with more money than they could ever need seek power.

Politics provides that opp. JWS has probably found that he misses the power he once had and probably found out that those who gave him the power can always take it away and you are back to reality putting on your drawers one leg at a time like the rest of us.

When you find a man or woman who truly is selfless and puts the welfare of others before his own that quality is beyond price.

We do not need a genius as we have a great infrastructure already but we do need competent administration and forward looking planning.

The real quality of leadership is the ability to surround yourself with talented people who you can inspire to implement your projects and policies.

[Silencio on 18.01.06 at 17:14]

"Would you care to tell us, given your insight into the requirements you would need to vote for the UBP, why you will continue to vote PLP if in fact that is how you currently vote ?"

For me to vote UBP, I'd need to see:

* Evidence that they actually have real solutions that deal with Bermuda's problems
* A real desire to bring about economic racial equality.
* Integrity on race matters

The UBP has always put on the face of racial equality and used black leaders to get the middle class black vote. But looking at what they have done, one cannot argue that they have been a party that actually wanted to right the wrongs of the past. All it did was maintain the status quo. That's why you have Jim Woolridge and John Swan making such comments even today. The only equality gained was the equality that didn't cost the status quo anything of substance.

I am not one to fall for that grift again, but I am willing to give Furbert a chance to show me real ideas and solutions. I also demand that Furbert rebuke the elements in his party and voter base that seek to dismiss legitimate racial grievances at every opportunity they can get. That is, it is not just about not being divisive. I want to see him take responsibility for his party's failures just as he will take responsibility for their successess.

Without more than lip service though, the PLP and the ABC are the only shots I have at real equality. Even if the PLP uses racially divisive language to get votes in the process, history has proven that they will seek change where the UBP won't. The PLP is more bark than bite in every regard, including their divisive language. For me they just need to get on the right track. But if they don't the ABC will get my vote.

[Phil on 18.01.06 at 17:39]

Silencio

You say that before you'd vote UBP you'd need to see evidence that they actually have real solutions that deal with Bermuda's problems. Fair enough. But you then go on to say that if the PLP don't get on the right track, the ABC will get your vote.

Yet the ABC have currently released *no* details of their proposed policies. All we've been given is a statement of their core principles, which are nothing but motherhood and apple pie that no politician would disagree with. Do they not need to demonstrate that they have real solutions to Bermuda's problems too?

[Uncle Elvis on 18.01.06 at 18:24]

"But looking at what they have done..."

Pardon? Could you elucidate?

"...the elements in his party and voter base that seek to dismiss legitimate racial grievances at every opportunity they can get"

Did I miss something? When was this? Could we get some examples?

The PLP are your only shot at equality? How could this be? Equality means EVERYONE gets a shot, not just those of one race. I understand the need to support black enterprise to get them onto equal footing as those that have had years to build themselves up, but NOT at the cost of putting one group above another. Unfortunately, the way it is now, if there were two companies started at the same time, identical in every way, except for the race of the owners, one would get preferential treatment over the other if they bid on a Government project.
This wasn't fair then and it isn't fair now.

[Silencio on 19.01.06 at 09:55]

"Yet the ABC have currently released *no* details of their proposed policies. All we've been given is a statement of their core principles, which are nothing but motherhood and apple pie that no politician would disagree with"

That's not the way I see it. The primary attraction for me is intelligence. Those 12 points are about evolving Bermuda's social and political dynamic at its core. The PLP and UBP have rarely if ever engaged in intellecutual pursuits such as this. The public doesn't even have an expectation that either party seeks enlightenment of any kind.

Let's be frank, there isn't even an expectation on the UBP to bring about change. It is the very embodiment of apathy. UBP supporters were mostly happy with that party, and see no reason to shift the paradigm. Meanwhile education went down while crime and housing went up.

The PLP is expected to bring about change, but they've mostly brought about changes we don't want and maintained the UBP things we wanted to get rid of. The only real change I've seen is in the ego and pockets of a select group of MPs.

The ABC has positioned itself as a party of fair change, and this is something Bermuda needs quite badly. I can support this, assuming that the candidates it puts forward have some experience in managing something. I'm done with the glad-handing UBP smiley faces. I'm done with the angry but incompetent PLP angry faces.

[Silencio on 19.01.06 at 10:56]

Elvis

"Pardon? Could you elucidate?"

Why don't you tell me about the UBP's actions to bring about equality during its 30yr tenure.

"Did I miss something? When was this? Could we get some examples?"

I'm not sure if you understand me or not. There are UBP supporters who say that racism in Bermuda has and still is a fantasy. They only see and scream about racism when the PLP is in the cross hairs, and go to extremes to deny its existence. If Wayne Furbert cannot rebuke white racism and manipulation where it exists, then he shall not get my support.

"I understand the need to support black enterprise to get them onto equal footing as those that have had years to build themselves up, but NOT at the cost of putting one group above another."

It's not simply a matter of those who have had years to build themselves up. Bermuda deliberately retarded the development of the black community across political, educational and economic lines. There was a conscious effort to deny blacks opportunity systemically. Yes things have changed dramatically, but there has been very little effort to correct for those ill-gotten gains.

I agree with you that it is not right to give blacks opportunities over whites. But what I am sick and tired of are whites who are incredibly passionate about ensuring that things are "fair" now, but who are equally indifferent about doing something about what was unfair in the past! I'm not saying that this applies to you, Elvis. The hypocrisy is that all of a sudden there are bunch of white UBP supporters who are championing equality and democracy now that the PLP is screwing up. If white Bermudians showed the same amount of passion in righting the wrongs of the past, some way some how (even at their short term expense), then they would lend the UBP much needed credibility on this issue. As of now, the PLP and ABC are the best shots I've got.

[Silencio on 19.01.06 at 11:40]

The UBP game is to completely ignore comments from Jim Woolridge and John Swan. It is easy to deflect the PLP's House Nigger comments, but not so easy when such accusations come from within. But the UBP solution is not to address the complaints from these two. The UBP solution is to promote Pam Gordon or some other black face to keep up appearances. And then the illusion continues.

[SmokingGun on 19.01.06 at 11:42]

"I agree with you that it is not right to give blacks opportunities over whites. But what I am sick and tired of are whites who are incredibly passionate about ensuring that things are "fair" now, but who are equally indifferent about doing something about what was unfair in the past! I'm not saying that this applies to you, Elvis. The hypocrisy is that all of a sudden there are bunch of white UBP supporters who are championing equality and democracy now that the PLP is screwing up."

Silencio - you raise a very good point. It would be very easy for a black person to see it this way and maybe make it very difficult to not see beyond. However it would be wrong to discount those that are genuine in their interest to build a better Bermuda. There are many people of all colour who recognize the past was wrong and want to level the playing field. Most of these people are the 45 and younger crowd, but there are quite a few older as well. The big question is do we continue to allow this to fester in the past or do we draw a line in the sand and say, here this is where we start. Together.

And don't forget there are also many amongst us who are full of selfishness and greed who will continue to be foes of equality. And they are of all colour.

[Silencio on 19.01.06 at 12:04]

"However it would be wrong to discount those that are genuine in their interest to build a better Bermuda. There are many people of all colour who recognize the past was wrong and want to level the playing field. Most of these people are the 45 and younger crowd, but there are quite a few older as well. The big question is do we continue to allow this to fester in the past or do we draw a line in the sand and say, here this is where we start. Together."

I agree 100%! Precisely why I am supporting ABC at this stage. I don't believe that either the UBP or the PLP believe in the above, so I'm willing to give them a shot. Bermuda needs an intellectual, social, moral and economic revolution. I'm not certain that Furbert or Scott can provide that.

[The Limey on 19.01.06 at 12:57]

Can we keep this discussion focused on Wayne Furbert and the UBP, please, rather than just getting into another discussion about race or the PLP. Thanks.