Pure Ewart Brown

There was a characteristic whiff of arrogance about Premier Ewart Brown’s suggestion that the location of his weekly meetings with the Governor should alternate between Government House and the Cabinet Office.

The Governor is the representative of the Queen in Bermuda. Suggesting that he should come to the Cabinet Office to meet with Dr. Brown is like Tony Blair suggesting that the Queen should come to 10 Downing Street for their weekly meetings. It’s profoundly disrespectful. I'm not surprised that Government House today rejected the idea as "not appropriate".

Dr. Brown’s claim that his suggestion was an attempt to "reduce the tension that naturally accompanies our constitutional relationship" was pure spin. I suppose the 22% of Bermudians who support independence may feel a little tense about Bermuda’s constitutional relationship with the UK, but the Governor was hardly going to kowtow to the Premier simply for their benefit.

Like former Premier Alex Scott’s request for his car to meet him on the airport tarmac, this was a manufactured confrontation from which the Premier probably imagined he could only win. If the Governor had acceded to his request, it would have further enlarged Dr. Brown’s already inflated ego. Now that the Governor has denied it, it can be used as another example of the humiliations that Bermuda must endure for as long as it remains a British Overseas Territory. With public opinion forcing Dr. Brown to shelve any further pursuit of independence for now, Dr. Brown might find this a useful sop to the pro-independence stalwarts in the PLP.

It was still an arrogant and disrespectful request, however. In other words, pure Ewart Brown.

Comments

[Bermudian on 14.11.06 at 21:46]

Disrespectful? Are you kidding me? Seriously, I think you forgot the irony point on this one.

How is this disrespectful again? Did he demand that the Governor comply with his "orders"? No, he didn't.

The Queen is mostly a ceremonial head of state and rarely does she have anything to do with the decision making that takes place. So for her to meet with Blair on a biweekly basis at 10 Downing Street isn't even remotely the same as the Premier requesting the Governor to come to the Cabinet Office.

Would it hurt the Governor to come down to the Cabinet Office? Or should he just stay at his mansion all day.

Disrespectful? In what way?

[Enigma on 14.11.06 at 22:13]

Limey,
I have been waiting patiently for your post on this topic and I have to say you deserve a large pat on the back for your sheer guts in 'telling it like it is' although I suspect you will take a lot of flak over this post but that never seems to have made you timid in the past!

As soon as Dr. Brown was elected I predicted that his first stumbling block would be in his relationship to the Governor. I was not wrong in my prediction and the the first butting of horns came rather sooner than expected.

Everything with Dr. Brown is about 'power' and his personal desire for all the trappings of power which he so resents in everyone else. It was inevitable that he would lock horns with the Governor because he represents everything that Dr. Brown and his cohorts are so envious of and desire for themselves. It is very amusing to see how he manipulates the PLP 'rank and file' to believe he is their champion when in fact the only cause he is championing is self enrichment at the expense of the hard working average Bermudian like myself.

Of course, the Governors response will now be 'spun' in true PLP fashion to make everything become an ugly racial issue and anyone who dares question (like yourself) Dr. Browns motives while be delegated to 'Plantation Question' status!

It saddens me to say that in my opinion, this is just the beginning for our Bermuda at the 'Next Level' and the level of corruption and 'un-ethical' behaviour we have experienced thus far will pale into insignificance with what is soon to come.

As for Independance, I predict that Dr. Brown is anxiously awaiting the moment he can call a general election that he is sure he can win and the instant he does win that back burner will become front and centre and Independance will jammed down the throats of the majority of Bermudians. Why do I think this, because in the words of the train wreck colonel "We don't care what you think"

Phil, if you feel you need to edit my comments I understand but I would rather you just deleted the whole thing. Either way, I do admire you honesty and your lack of intimidation in what must be a scary world!

[SmokingGun on 14.11.06 at 22:19]

I think the word PB used was "mischief". Hmmm... could it be he who was being mischievous? Actually given with the kind of people that some of his co-horts used to have hanging around I wouldn't be surprised if any of the core PLP feels too comfortable having to go up to the big house on the hill. Pure power play, that's all.

When he becomes President do you think he's going to expect the same visiting set up? Yeah right.

[Cancundreaming on 15.11.06 at 07:23]

What i think this issue might do is remind the electorate, particularly the PLP's base of some of the reasons why some pro-independence people think we should become independent.

Regardless of my personal views on independence, i often find it disheartening that many Bermudians think we're a democracy, we're not. We have many democratic elements to be sure, but in any true sense of the word, Bermuda is and has never been a democracy.

The Governor isn't a silly figure head; he has real constitutional and legal authority/power; Authority that he certainly doesn’t use to his/her full extent, but the authority and power is there and it real authority and real power. Now the reasons why and what situation would cause a Governor to exercise that authority/power is an entirely separate issue, but for the moment I think we should call a thing for what it is. I don’t think this automatically means we should become independent, but i think we should recognize what we are and what we aren’t.

[newbie on 15.11.06 at 07:37]

Totally agree with you Limey. PB request was disrespectful and you can bet your bottom dollar he knew it. The Governor is the Queen's representative and I'm sure that sticks in PB's craw. There is no way that the Governor should change years of tradition just to further inflate PB's, already enormous, ego.

[Martin on 15.11.06 at 08:37]

This is pure "playing to the gallery" stuff. PB know's it wasn't going to happen.

I guess Government House had little choice but to use the language of rejection they did, for public consumption. Would like to think Vereker telephoned PB's secretary and said..."get Brown to phone me back will you".

Cheap stuff PB - cheap stuff.

[frank on 15.11.06 at 08:38]

I don't know if I would give as spirited a response as Limey, but I would say that this is an indication of how Ewart Brown (Slick Ewie?) will go after his "opponents" - with slick subtlety and a thinly disguised veil of innocence. If the Governor had refused to answer on the grounds that it was akin to a plantation (or insert your own adjective here) question, I wonder what Brown's response would have been.

[jake on 15.11.06 at 09:01]

In no way is it disrespectful.

The people of Bermuda have decided to maintain a historical link with the UK. Don't confuse that with some magical association with the Monarchy.

I have every respect for the Queen, but when you attach a greater significance to her beyond the ceremonial, it becomes a farce. Tony Blair is elected to his position. She was born into hers, as were her children and their children. You need look no further than their personal example to see that there is no special gene in that family. I would have no problem with her going to see him.

Similarly, Ewart Brown is elected as the leader of our country. The Governor plays a role, more than ceremonial - he actually has duties that he must fulfill on the behalf of the British Government. We signed up for that by saying no to independence, but he should not be confused with the people we have selected. He is Britain's representative - not Bermuda's and we owe him respect, but not reverence.

Perhaps now that you are becoming a Bermudian, Phil, you will begin to see that your little one, when fully grown, will have to bow to the latest edition sitting in the Governor's seat. Perhaps you will wonder about their relative importance then, as I do now.

[bermudianin limeyland on 15.11.06 at 09:19]

I don't think that the actual request is disrespectful, it is the manner in which it was made that is. This was a planned request made under the knowledge that it was likely to be denied and hence could be easily manipulated for political gain. Had the request been genuine there should have been no need for the request to have been made public, nor the response.

[sandgrownan on 15.11.06 at 09:20]

Jake - Ewart Brown wasn't elected to be leader of the country, we can thank the PLP for that pleasure.

As for the consitutional relationship between Vereker, Britain, The Queen and The Ego in Charge, who really cares? If the majority of Bermudians want the benefits of retaining ties with the UK, and it appears that they do, then there will be a Governor. It's not a big deal, just part of the process. In a sense the Queen "could" exert real power but she never has and it's unlikely that any member of The Royal Family ever would. In the same way, The Governor is unlikely to overrule the "will of the people" in Bermuda.

This is simply political grandstanding by Ewart, it's tiresome and he needs to grow up.

[Martin on 15.11.06 at 09:20]

Jake...

Totally agree that we do not owe the Governor reverence, indeed I would go further and say neither do we owe that to the Queen. I for one dislike being "someone's subject" in the C21st.

But PB should 'respect' the position of Governor just as PB should expect (Bermudians and expats) to respect the position of Premier.

On a practical basis, I cannot see a carriage with 8 horses getting into Downing Street on a Tuesday either.

[Lost in Flatts on 15.11.06 at 09:30]

Was Ewart really elected leader of the country by the voting public? Nope.

Jake - your response is fair in that the role of the governor is certainly questionable in today's society, but it doesn't change the fact that Premier Brown's actions were not designed to discuss this relationship. Instead it's a purely political, quite cynical attempt at gaining some positive PR from his more radical supporters. Maybe you think that's good strategy, and maybe it is, but it's nothing if not indicative of his general way of doing things.

If he wants to discuss the role of the governor, then fine, open a public discussion. That's not what he's doing here.

[Full Fullish on 15.11.06 at 09:32]

Phil -
Completely agree with you on this one. It's just not done. An employee doesn't do that with their boss, a Vice President doesn't do that with a President, etc. While there is a Governor in position in Bermuda, there should be an air of respect for the office, much the same as when in front of the Premier, you must maintain an air of respect for his office in both speech and requests. It doesn't matter if you think that the Governor is just a figure head, the truth of the matter is that ultimately, the Governor is at the top of things here and has powers over the Premier and Parliament, regardless if he uses them or not, that is a fact. Ewart Brown was out of line to make such a request.

[ken on 15.11.06 at 09:45]

I have read this post, and deliberated over it, and was hesitant to post.

But what to me is more disrespectful is the fact that you feel that the Governor visiting the cabinet office is offensive to the Governor? The Governor is appointed by the UK. No one in Bermuda has any part in this process. Is he due respect? Of course he is.

But to me this is not disrespectful in the least.

[I.B. JMC on 15.11.06 at 10:11]

I am not pro-independence. I am totally, 100%, against independence, however, I thought it was a fair request of Dr. Brown and not disrespectful at all. I wondered, somewhat detachedly, what the response would be. Now that the Governor has said that it is inappropriate I find myself more than a little irritated.

Limey: your use of the phrase “…the Governor is the representative of the Queen in Bermuda…” is telling. You wouldn’t have heard a peep out of me (w.r.t. this sentence) if you’d stated that the Governor is the representative of the British government.

A poll by The Sun.
1. Would you favour Britain becoming a republic or remaining a monarchy?
Republic: 18%
Monarchy: 72%
Don't know: 10%

I suspect that a large proportion of the 72% that support the monarchy do so solely on the grounds of tradition in conjunction with the fact that British monarchs are ceremonial figureheads. The stat I found most interesting was that almost one in five are actually in favour of becoming a republic. I personally think it would be a shame if Britain lost the monarchy but only because it is a largely ceremonial institution.

By the way - you can bet your bottom dollar that the Governor would kowtow if absolutely necessary and/or in the best interests of his Government.

I think the Governor should have acquiesced to this reasonable request. I think that you wouldn’t have heard a peep out of several of the limey posters if the request came from the leader of a UBP Government. It would have been deemed fair and reasonable. PB didn’t demand that the Governor come to his office every week. Every other week, this week-your office, next week-mine…sounds reasonable to me.

p.s. I wonder if the Sun poll contained the opinions of non-English Brits.

[SmokingGun on 15.11.06 at 10:41]

jake - with all due respect because I sincerely do consider you a balanced moderate when it comes to most political things but to suggest our Premier has to bow to to the Governor is plain wrong. The fact that we as a people continue to choose to be a part of the British Commonwealth and he is appointed as our Governor means we accept certain practices, methods and heirarchies. It's a part of our history and part of our culture much like they continue with back in blighty. And besides how many meetings will he have anyway? He's off the island half the time.

Although I'm not overly concerned with PB's actions as being disrepectful I do question why his choice of meeting places are so high up on his priority list at the very beginning of his tenure especially with everything that's happening. Hmmm... maybe he and the Governor should meet half way. I'm sure they've got an empty room or two up at CedarBridge or a nice park bench in the Botanical Gardens.

[novote on 15.11.06 at 11:32]

Whilst the Governor is the Head of State, the Premier should respect the constitutional significance of the Governor's role.

By requesting a shift in the venue of their regular meetings in this way, Ewart Brown simply displays his disrespect for Bermuda's constitution.

Bermudians are free to choose their constitution and have in the past expressed their wish to maintain the constitution as it currently stands.

I have no problem with Ewart Brown advocating Independence - although I'm personally unconvinced of its benefits at this point in time - it is his constitutionally protected right to do so.

However, untill such time as there is a constitutional change that's endorsed by Bermudians, he should respect the roles that the one that is currently in place mandates. He otherwise disrespects the people that have selected it as their form of government.....and indeed have afforded him the power that he currently holds.

[Uncle Elvis on 15.11.06 at 12:22]

Well done, Dr. Brown! It's working.

[John Steele on 15.11.06 at 12:26]

The only cogent arguments for Independence that have ever made sense to me are emotive ones. Having to play second fiddle to overseers who come from a land over 4,000 miles away is one of the more irritating. While I'm white I find this point quite galling and can well understand while it would be infuriating to a black person.

Premier Brown has done nothing more than make a shrewd political move in a constitutional chess match - his opponent had no choice but to play into his hands.

After years of dimwitted leadership we're now watching a deft politician at work. Expect more of the same.

[Phil on 15.11.06 at 12:31]

I.B. JMC

Limey: your use of the phrase “…the Governor is the representative of the Queen in Bermuda…” is telling. You wouldn’t have heard a peep out of me (w.r.t. this sentence) if you’d stated that the Governor is the representative of the British government.

From the US Department of State website:

Queen Elizabeth II is head of state and is represented in Bermuda by a governor, whom she appoints.

Otherwise, I think novote summarises the situation perfectly.

[loki on 15.11.06 at 12:44]

Ewart Brown's request was childish, inappropriate and cynical - my issue is not so much that he was disrespectful towards the Governor. I am no fan of the monarchy, God knows, but the people of Bermuda deserve better than to be treated as pawns in Ewart Brown's cynical ploys.

[I.B. JMC on 15.11.06 at 13:20]

Limey,

1)Please either post my text in its entirety or do not post it at all.

2) Please do not add insult to injury by rebutting one of my statements by quoting from the US State department.

3)Wikipedia - Constitutional models:
The presidential (or imperial) system in which the Head of State is also the head of government and actively exercises executive power;
The semi-presidential system in which the Head of State shares exercise of executive power with a head of government;
The parliamentary system in which the Head of State possesses theoretical executive power but the exercise of this power is delegated to a head of government, and;
The non-executive Head of State system in which the Head of State does not hold any executive power and mainly plays a symbolic role on behalf of the state.

Are you surprised that people 4000 miles away from a ceremonial figurehead do not hold the Queen in as high regard as yourself?

[Phil on 15.11.06 at 13:30]

I.B. JMC

1. The only part of your comment that I removed was the bit talking about whether Charles would make a good king or not. That is irrelevant to this discussion.

2. Would you prefer that I quote from the Bermuda Tourism website?

Bermuda is officially a British overseas territory, but we enjoy a high degree of self-rule. Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II does act as our formal head of state and appoints a Governor — currently Sir John Vereker, KCB — to represent her in Bermuda.

3. I don't understand your point.

My views about the monarchy are as irrelevant to this discussion as yours. The fact is, that is the system under which Bermuda (and the UK) operates, and until Bermuda goes independent (or the UK declares itself a republic), the Premier must accept the Governor's role.

[Martin on 15.11.06 at 13:42]

IB JMC...

Are you surprised that people 4000 miles away from a ceremonial figurehead do not hold the Queen in as high regard as yourself?

See my thoughts (and Phil's) about the Monarchy.

Are we surprised? No. As I understand it, the people who do not hold the Queen in high regard as you put it, are a minority in any event.

Perhaps you could talk to a few people from Canada, Australia etc and get their view.

[sleepy on 15.11.06 at 13:49]

Holding Queen Liz (or any other) in high regard, and asking a Premier to respect the political system and role he signed up, for are two entirely different things.

No Vote has it right:

"However, untill such time as there is a constitutional change that's endorsed by Bermudians, he should respect the roles that the one that is currently in place mandates. He otherwise disrespects the people that have selected it as their form of government.....and indeed have afforded him the power that he currently holds"

If Brown has a problem with the Queen, he shouldn't have sworn an oath to her in the first place when he entered Cabinet and a few weeks ago became Premier.

[I.B. JMC on 15.11.06 at 14:23]

Limey,

1) I took issue with your reference to the Queen’s representative, semantics perhaps, but trying to illustrate that comments will possibly carry significantly more weight if you refer to the Governor as being the representative of the British Government.

2) Thanks – much preferred.

3) See 1)

I don’t see how agreeing to meeting at alternate venues in any way lessens the Governors role or shows a lack of respect for the Governor / British Government. Just because the location of the meetings has been one sided for decades doesn’t mean they should continue to be so.

I think that not agreeing to alternate venues (which as I’ve stated before I consider to be a fair and reasonable request – no matter motive – but hoping it’s not a cynical one) has given ammunition to the pro-independence camp. I think the Governor could have at least given the perception that their positions are at least equal for - if something is perceived to be real its implications are real. I think more harm than good will come out of refusing to meet half way.

Martin, with all due respect, times have changed.

[Darkside on 15.11.06 at 14:39]

Posters please don't take the bait.

Our Premier, made a request of our Governor which was denied as "not appropriate" ... end of discussion.

Any further discussion just creates fuel for the proponents of independence.

[Uncle Elvis on 15.11.06 at 15:04]

Thank you, sleepy.

There are rules to follow and, until you change the rules, through acceptable ways and means, you have to follow them.

If you do not want to, then don't apply for the job.

It's like, "Oh, I don't like the dress-code at the job I'm applying for, but I'll take the job anyway" and then, once you HAVE the job, showing up in jeans and a tshirt, saying, "You know, I don't really like the dress-code you guys have."

If Dr. Brown is so gung-ho on being independant from England and hates the rules so much, he really shouldn't have taken the job of enforcing those rules.

Regardless of one's feeling on the Queen, she IS the head honcho. She's the tippy top and deserves respect.

As for the retread of us not being a democracy:

From Wiki:

"In representative democracies that are constitutional monarchies, like the United Kingdom, the monarch may be regarded as the head of state but the prime minister, whose power derives directly or indirectly from elections, is head of government."
Constitutional Monarch

and Representative Democracy

There are different types of democracy and even though the type Great Britain and Bermuda have don't fit YOUR description, that doesn't mean that we aren't a democracy.

[SmokingGun on 15.11.06 at 15:10]

"After years of dimwitted leadership we're now watching a deft politician at work. Expect more of the same."

Posted by John Steele on 15.11.06 at 12:26

If that's what we're calling it then god save us....

I'd like to know how many Monday Meetings our Premiers actually attend. There are 52 weeks available. Given the multitude of holidays and amount of travelling they do I'd be surprised if they get in 50%.
For a guy to walk in on the first day of the job expecting the Governor to have to change his schedule just goes to show a lack of class. Hmmm... maybe that's what this is all about in the first place.

But seriously, doesn't he have the smarts to know that getting a few meetings under his belt before making such a request might yield a more favourable reply? Of course he does. This kind of crap gives me the creeps.

[ian on 15.11.06 at 16:52]

To make the request behind closed doors would perhaps have some validity...however, by choosing to share this publicly, "Slick P" has gone too far. This is a deliberate action meant to placate the independance lobby; and, in typical PLP fashion - fan the flames of racial and societal division. The man at the top changed but the race-based politics haven't changed a bit. Pathetic really.

[John Steele on 15.11.06 at 18:55]

SmokingGun,

"But seriously, doesn't he have the smarts to know that getting a few meetings under his belt before making such a request might yield a more favourable reply? Of course he does. This kind of crap gives me the creeps."

I doubt he cared whether he got a favourable reply or not. All he cares for is increasing the number of people who want independence. Sit back and watch that 22% rise…

[Slowhand on 15.11.06 at 20:11]

Sleepy has it right!
"If Brown has a problem with the Queen, he shouldn't have sworn an oath to her in the first place when he entered Cabinet and a few weeks ago became Premier"
But the only problem is, does PB (or anyone in this day and age for that matter) hold that practice of swearing an oath as being that important or binding? I think if we look back at recent or perhaps even not so recent history, the facts are staring us in the face when it comes to PB. Judge for yourself...

[SmokingGun on 15.11.06 at 20:50]

John Steele - I guess the fact that he'd stoop to such crass self serving tactics just to take advantage of the more gullible is what really bothers me.

If independence is forced upon us by the antics of a megalomaniac bent on attaching his name to some historical event with blatant emotive manipulation of his very own people only to find them totally screwed over would sicken me.

[novote on 15.11.06 at 21:03]

"To make the request behind closed doors would perhaps have some validity..." - Spot on!

It is precisely because the request was made publicly that it had to be denied.

A better way would have been to ask privately.

If the governor had then agreed, then in 12 months time the fact could have been released in a positive light.

Instead what we get is deliberately divisive political posturing to which there could only be one response.......and Ewart Brown knew it.....which makes the situation all the more despicable.

[Bermudian on 15.11.06 at 21:27]

Elvis,

It's like, "Oh, I don't like the dress-code at the job I'm applying for, but I'll take the job anyway" and then, once you HAVE the job, showing up in jeans and a tshirt, saying, "You know, I don't really like the dress-code you guys have."

How is this even remotely the same? Did Premier Brown demand the Governor to come to the Cabinet Office for the meetings? No... he didn't.

If you want to use your analogy, it's more like he got the job and then made the suggestion that perhaps they should alternate because of reason x...

He didn't show up in jeans and a t-shirt...all he did was ask. My colleagues and I did the exact same thing at our job about our summer attire... what's the problem with that? Where the hell is the disrespect?

[I.B. JMC on 15.11.06 at 23:52]

YAH, me too SmokinGun, me too!

[I.B. JMC on 16.11.06 at 00:34]

Forget about who's asking who and think about the request, man to man, ( or, in these politically correct times, person to person, even though I mean man to man in the non-gender-specific sense) It seems absolutely fair and reasonable to me that the representative of the British Government and the Leader of the Bermuda Government can alternate venues for their weekly meetings. Let's treat each others as equals shall we?....... ...................or shan’t we?

[Uncle Elvis on 16.11.06 at 01:34]

Ah. Semantics. Ok.

So, it's not 'remotely' the same, but it would be if there were just a little change in the analogy?

That's a little closer than "not remotely the same"...

He really can do no wrong, can he?

The disrespect is because there are rules and ways to conduct yourself in certain situations. These have been around for ages and ages. To walk in to the first meeting as a new Premier and say "Hey, there's some tension (with 22% of the population, as was said above), so let's change how things are done, as I am part of that 22%", knowing that this will be denied, but doing it anyway to make a stink about how those Limey bastards are keeping us poor Bermudians down... that's disrespectful.

Regardless of one's feelings about the Queen and the monarchy, she and her representatives and the traditions of the land deserve some respect.

Isn't it his job to uphold laws, rules and traditions, as leader of the country?

[Phil on 16.11.06 at 07:50]

I.B. JMC

Let's treat each others as equals shall we?

But that's the problem. Constitutionally, they're not equals, however much you or Dr. Brown may wish they were.

[Tiger Bay on 16.11.06 at 08:33]

This is such a non-issue. Get back to work, Ewart.

[sleepy on 16.11.06 at 09:10]

You guys are playing into Brown's hands. Relax. Your reaction is more important to him than the request.

[ken on 16.11.06 at 09:10]

The funny thing is that you guys are making it so much more of an issue. have you heard Dr Brown commenting on it?

[The Christian Fist of Gratitude on 16.11.06 at 09:16]

But but but Tiger...

"This is what excites us, this is what defines us..."

[Two Cents on 16.11.06 at 09:34]

Our Traditions have been eroding away for some time now, from Bermuda Shorts being worn in Parlament, to our last Premier wearing a 'Safari Suit' and others wearing dashikis to offical Government Functions, to Dr Brown even before here was Premier (talking on his cell phone during the Throne Speech a few years ago). The list is endless As several people have said "If they don't respect the position, they shouldn't have taken it".

[Guilden M. Gilbert, Jr. on 16.11.06 at 09:41]

I.B. JMC,

"It seems absolutely fair and reasonable to me that the representative of the British Government and the Leader of the Bermuda Government can alternate venues for their weekly meetings."

I couldn't agree with you more.

Uncle Elvis,

It used to be that "the traditions of the land" meant that women could not vote but we changed that. It used to be that "the traditions of the land" meant that only property owners could vote but we changed that.

Does tradition mean that we never change? That we have to remain static in how we address things in our country? Or is this simply a case of the PLP Government being as arrogant as many of you say it is?

I think you guys are making a mountain out of a mole hole on this one. Dr. Brown did not demand that the Governor meet him in the Cabinet Office, he requested and the request was denied. Also, from the article in the RG it is not stated who took this to the press.

If I recall correctly, when Tony Blair visited Bermuda he met with the Premier in the Cabinet Office. Surely the UK Prime Minister has more "authority" over Bermuda than does the Governor but there was no problem with Tony Blair going to the Cabinet Office.

Limey,

There is a distinct difference between the Governor of Bermuda and the Queen of England. The Queen is nothing more than a figure head, she has no decision making powers. If the Governor of Bermuda decided to he could involve himself in Bermuda's affairs.

No the positions are not equal but the electorate chose the PLP as Government, the electorate has no say in who is to be Governor. Which role is more important to Bermuda the Governor's role or the role of the Government?

Are you saying that the Governor should simply sit up in his ivory tower and have the "commoners" come to him because he is too good and special to come down to visit the "commoners"?

[Bermudian on 16.11.06 at 10:04]

There is more tension between him and 22% of the island. Just because you are not in favour of independence does not mean that you are honoured to have the governor here, especially since he sits on his high horse in his mansion ...meanwhile people are living bunched up next to one another in the neighbourhood right next door.

His job is NOT to uphold the laws, rules and traditions. His job is to make sure the laws, rules and traditions are fair. His job is to move the island in a progressive manner and that means doing whatever he can to modify rules, laws and traditions so that they are better for us all. A perfect example is the human rights legislation. While he should respect the current law, shouldn't he do all he can (and even make a simple suggestion) to make sure the law is more equitable?

[sandgrownan on 16.11.06 at 11:14]

So, in a slightly related topic, the PLP are calling for a black Governor. Now why would they do that? Do they think that race relations would improve if there was a black governor? Constitutionaly, nothing would change, so what are they driving at here? Why would the colour of the skin of a governor have any bearing on anything?

[SmokingGun on 16.11.06 at 12:46]

From the RG: A discussion with Alex Scott.

"But he said Bermuda was unlikely to get a local Governor until it went independent."

That has to be the funniest qoute of 2006. Or maybe saddest.

"Asked about his successor Ewart Brown’s attempt to alternate weekly meetings with the Governor between the Premier’s office and Government House he said: “I would have thought that it was a non-starter.”
However the appointment of a black female could help take some of the tension out of the relationship between Government House and the pro-independence Progressive Labour Party which Dr. Brown spoke of when he made his bid to change meeting arrangements."

In other words: We want a black female who will help the pro-independence black party get it's way because she's black and has to do what's in the best interest of the "real" Bermudians.

Don't get me wrong, I would love to have a woman, black or white as our Governor but with this kind of manipulation I have a distinct feeling that a vote for independence by referendum is out the window. Unless of course Baronesses Amos or Scotland are much bigger people than our two P's.

[I.B.JMC on 16.11.06 at 12:50]

From: http://bermuda-online.org/bdagovt.htm

It [Bermuda] makes all its own laws. UK and European Community laws do not apply in Bermuda.

The Governor and Commander-in-Chief of Bermuda is appointed by The Queen (on the advice of the British Government in London) after consultation with the Premier of Bermuda.

The main challenge for a Bermuda Governor is to balance two sometimes contradictory functions. First, he is the primary source of information from Bermuda to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office on the state of affairs in Bermuda. Second, he is the voice of the United Kingdom and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office for advising Bermudians what they can and cannot do under British/United Kingdom laws (see first paragraph). The salaries of the Governor, Deputy Governor and their staff are paid by Bermuda's taxpayers, NOT the British Government…

Limey:
You’re right they’re not equals - who one considers more important is obviously a matter of perspective.
The Governor should’ve met our Premier halfway and agreed to alternate venues for their meetings.

[Uncle Elvis on 16.11.06 at 13:02]

Regarding changing of rules, laws and traditions:

There are ways of doing this.
Guilden, those examples you put forth are good ones, but they were changed using the system, not throwing it away, as he is doing now.

I also think that this issue is nowhere near as important as the examples mentioned and it is disingenuous to bring them up.