In a recent op-ed, former PLP government member Renee Webb sheds light on the critical role that independent members of parliament play in shaping a robust and effective democracy.
Drawing from her political experience, Webb argues that as Bermuda’s political landscape evolves, independent voices in the House of Assembly are essential for fostering healthy debate, holding the government accountable, and representing diverse perspectives that may otherwise be overlooked by traditional party lines.
Her insights suggest that, moving forward, the presence of independent MPs could be pivotal in ensuring a more balanced and representative political system.
The following is to educate the public, particularly voters, on how independent members of parliament can assist in improving Bermuda’s parliamentary process by giving the public a choice away from party politics.
Independent (non- party) members of parliament are known to operate in the following manner:
They can wield significant influence particularly in a divisive party system.
For further information how independent candidates work in their Parliament check out the following British Crown dependencies:
Cayman Islands Legislature which 12 independent members out of 19 members of parliament.
Guernsey which has 38 independent members of parliament out of 38 members.
As well the UK Parliament which has 13 independent members of Parliament.
Bermuda is not the first or the last UK colony to have effective independent members of parliament. We simply need to educate the voters on how having a parliamentary system with independent members will help us to move away from an adversarial, fighting, racially based Parliament.
Photo courtesy of the RG
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