The battle for leadership of the Bermuda Democratic Alliance is between......

[Renaissance Man]

Thanks Ren Man!
I agree, by no means are we just intending on running on a wish and a prayer, mind you we haven't been.  It's an enormous undertaking but we are committed to coming out with the best platforms we can.  All in time, my friend, but rest assured, they are coming.

I'll take a look for Tranz's post and try to either reply or solicit a discussion from the party members.

No problem, mate.

You should understand that many of us in the blogosphere like Jon and Denis, and myself particularly, want there to be a VIABLE choice. As much as we like idealism, we really want to see much more meat out there. You have some very good friends of mine along, and family too, but that can be said for the other parties also. Just not quite there yet.

I'm not cynical, just experienced.

[drew]

Assuming the BDA will get a majority of their vote from past UBP voters, should the BDA and/or UBP not run candidates in potentially close constituencies in order to maximize the likelihood of knocking the PLP out of power? Should this (removal of the PLP) even be a goal for either of them? Or do the BDA (and I guess the UBP for that matter) believe they can win a majority of seats when competing against both parties in all constituencies? How would the PLP react/label the two parties if they decided to act together? How would voters react? Will the PLP win the next election? I hope not...

[Renaissance Man]

Contesting marginals would be wise. But it could backfire, and give the PLP an unassailable majority. Let's hope that doesn't happen.

Seeing how far the PLP has strayed from its core ideals, removing them from power is a good idea. They need to find their centre again. I don't think the UBP has found their centre yet.

A coalition government sounds ideal for the next round.

[Limerick]

I understand that the BDA are still preparing a platform, with public input. The idea is admirable, but I hope the Bermudian public doesn't become apathetic to them in the process of waiting to find out exactly who they are, and what they stand for. The BDA must craft a marketable perception of what they are, with solid ideas of what they would do if given the opportunity to govern. As stated numerous times, define yourself before the PLP does, because you all know what the PLP will do in order to cast negative light on you. Their attack strategy is obvious, but unfortunately works. In the BDA meetings, this should be coming up often, with ideas on how you will counter those attacks.

 I think the best way to counter the mudslinging is with some cold, hard facts about the kinds of things that have happened the past decade on the PLP watch. The scandals, the financial mishandling, the press gagging, these things need to be hammered upside the public's head. Attack the PLP's policies head on, show where their ideas have flopped. Believe me, there is likely a large number of people, even some PLP supporters, who want to know what the BDA is about. Don't forget the swing voters as well, they can play a large part in the next election. What will you do, to ensure you win their support? What will you do to attract the important youth vote?? A large number of the 20s/30s crowd is 1000% sick of both our current choices. You want our vote, what's your plan?

[marypoppins]

I think that one of the things that the BDA (and UBP for that matter) should be very hard hitting on is the way the PLP government has, so to speak, watched Rome burn while Nero fiddled (the books). Everywhere you look there should be images of their irresponsible spending contrasted with the reality of the results for regular Bermudians - ie, The Lurve Chef cooking up a feast contrasted with the family with little food on the table etc.

One very important thing is not to focus solely on Brown in case he does go - be sure to highlight Cog's role and that of some of the main players. One of the dangers if Brown does go is that then he can be blamed for everything and then others who are surely as culpable of gross mismanagement at best will get a clean slate. The cabinet could - and should - have prevented and dealt with Brown before it got to this situation. In my eyes they have to share the guilt of what has happened in Bermuda.

[Letariatpro]

1. I believe some real time needs to be devoted to the PLP strongholds. Get people out there and regularly, gatherings within those neighborhoods, hopefully you have some people on board who are recognisable that can draw a crowd and answer questions with the right answers.

2. Define yourselves, asap. And keep doing it. I know Denis may be a little harsh, but for the most part he is right. Take his advice, especially on some of the semantics and grammar used.

3. Go big or go home. As much as I hate it, it is still politics, and much of that relies on the public perceptions of you. Monitor them closely, promote yourselves and your platform at every level. Do not come in as the "new, small third party", come in as the "new, improved, larger than life, everyone is doin' it, this is the way to go" 3rd party. And do it better. Provide some meat.  I don't want to hear how bad the PLP and the UBP are, we already know that, why are you better, what would you do, and don't give me the same ol same ol BS every politician does. I want to hear realistic solutions, and hear about immediate results. I don't want to hear FREE, free is never really FREE...communicate that...take it out of the equation.

4. Sorry but you need more firepower. As much as I would like to see new blood, you need to also get in some former PLP and UBP members, that people actually like AND who are competent(good luck). They need to target the dissatisfied PLP supporter. Figure out what will get them to join your cause and I believe you may have a chance. And yeah, it is a popularity contest, sadly.  But it is up to you to provide solid choices. Real choices. If you cannot get someone worthwhile voting for, forget that constituency please.

5. Ok, now you got your leader, let's get the focus on some non-UBP faces. Not that it matters, but it matters. The exUBP guys need to take a bit of a back seat for a while, give a leg up to the new folks.  

6. Rope in the brains. There are alot of smart folks out there. Get them in. Feel free to use these boards as a test bed. I am pretty sure there is an opinion or two on here...it doesn't take a master troll to get a rise out of these guys! I would try to pique folks like Ren, Alsys, CO and CD's and many others' brains, who have been there and back, try to see both sides and play devil's advocate. What would win them over? What would make them say "hey, you know, I think I would throw in with that lot." That is your litmus test.

What would win me over? A guarantee of good governance.

I want complete transparency from Day 1.
I want fiscal responsibility from Day 1.
I want parliamentary reform. There should be greater say in the leader of the Government. There should be the ability to recall. Appointments should not be made by one person. There should be a limit of how long a Premier can remain in power. There should be fixed term elections.
In short, I want tangible, trackable results from Day 1.

That is all.

[Limerick]

One very important thing is not to focus solely on Brown in case he does go - be sure to highlight Cog's role and that of some of the main players. One of the dangers if Brown does go is that then he can be blamed for everything and then others who are surely as culpable of gross mismanagement at best will get a clean slate. The cabinet could - and should - have prevented and dealt with Brown before it got to this situation. In my eyes they have to share the guilt of what has happened in Bermuda.

An interesting idea, Mary. That should be a focus point as well, that the PLP cabinet have not displayed the necessary backbone one would expect of your Leaders. The question needs to be asked: "While Ewart Brown was here smuggling in Quighars and spending hundreds of thousands on frivolous traveling, what were YOU doing?" Without resorting to petty mudslinging, these questions need to be asked. The public needs to know that the people they vote for are more than mere cushions for their Leader, that they have the integrity to put the country first ahead of keeping quiet to save their own political asses.

 Which reminds me, on the subject of frivolous spending, wonder if we could find out somehow what the Premier has spent on travel since taking office in 2006. Maybe a project for our resident Royal Gazette posters and lurkers(wink, wink).

[marypoppins]

WF to Lets ... you are absolutely right about the FREE is never FREE... and I would take it further by highlighting who is really paying - ie, everyone's kids. I'd also love someone to come up with a stat... how much that one free ferry ticket (or whatever) will end up costing by the time the interest is paid on it - to show how expensive a 'free ride' really is.

[Tryangle]

Sorry but you need more firepower. As much as I would like to see new blood, you need to also get in some former PLP and UBP members, that people actually like AND who are competent(good luck).

While I tend to agree with this line of thought, I struggle to come up with former PLP or UBP members with the experience/likeability factor that don't carry old baggage with them. Party ties run deep and even if say they got someone with the clout, that sets them up for the 'opportunist' label, among others. Particularly if they were former PLP, which is oddly enough exactly what the BDA probably needed to have from day 1.

[Letariatpro]

Agreed Try, it is a catch22 situation. They need recognizable people who were not involved with the UBP.  So they don't necessarily have to be former PLP, especially since I cannot think of anyone off the top of my head, aside from Dale Butler and he has already said he would never leave the PLP.

I would have liked to see someone like Janice Battersby get on board with them as a candidate, and perhaps folks like Larry Burchall or Stuart Hayward to organise and guide them. Outspoken individuals who are well known and not necessarily UBP and have a clue. This would be a good chance for them to help shape the foundling party and provide a system of checks and balances.

There are a whole lot of younger quality people out there, but most are too smart to get into politics, especially after the nastiness of the last election. It is unfortunate.

[BeachBunny]

Just read this morning's paper.  Cannonier should have used a better analogy than the guy who recently fell into the crater at Mt. St. Helen's.  He wasn't rescued as Craig said.  He died.  It was a recovery operation.  Lets hope its not a recovery operation for Bermuda.

[Letariatpro]

oh brother...

[Crimson Dynamo]

"A few days ago a man fell into [Mount] St. Helens volcano as he posed for a picture at the rim of the crater. This is a warning to all of us that these precarious times do not call for the routine photo-ops.

"We stand near the rim of the crater that could erupt. We can ill afford to ignore the rumblings of the social tensions; the unrivalled violence and the unprecedented financial problems.

"Now is not the time for political posturing or seeking photo opportunities. Listen, this man fell 2,000 feet into St. Helens volcano and had to be rescued. Who is going to rescue our current politicians who underestimate the dangers of flirting with disaster for the sake of their own self-promotion?

"Wake up folks. Bermuda must be saved. Not a politician. Not a political party. The time for grandstanding is over. The magnitude of the problems must be taken seriously."

Um, yeah, not the best of analogies there, lol.

[Crimson Dynamo]

I cannot link to the page in question yet as its not up yet, just going by a summary a friend typed up for me.  I understand he goes on about how our politics cannot be an 'us versus them' one, but that we must all work together as one.  I agree that we cannot be a house divided, but the question should be viewed as who's at the steering wheel, and this then brings in the questions of race and class.  Historically Bermuda has been steered by a particular race and class who took us in one direction.  Now we have a different race and class in power and their steering it their way, in their interests.  We still don't have all the sailors agreed on where we're going, we just have a new captian and a slightly changed course but no real change at all.

From what I'm seeing of the BDA so far they seem to be articulating the voice and interests of the middle class professionals.  Nothing wrong with that in and of itself.  The UBP will come to articulate the voice of the more conservative and upper class old money.  The PLP will continue to dominate the support of the working class and the nouveaux riche Black, which leads to a bizzare chimera.  I can't see the BDA attracting any working class support though, not with what they've been saying.  They'll potentially skim off some of the middle class Black support from the PLP, but the PLP will be compensated by this through the BDA's division of the UBP vote.  Leads us to a potential to transcend race poltics to a class one though.  Potential at least, lol.

[The Honorable Casual Observer JP, MP, PITA]

FWIW, I think the BDA need to kick into election mode NOW. A hard-hitting, fact-based/driven advertising campaign designed to drive home the financial and social complacency that has been displayed by the PLP... Non-EB centered, but PLP centered... National Deficit in 1998... National Deficit in 2010...  Number of 'Affordable Homes' Built since 1998.... # of Families Under the Poverty Line in 1998 vs 2010... FOcus on the failure to deliver the change that was promised... Then you mightr actually get some would-be PLP supporters to pay attention...