The ‘Pathways to Status’ front man will replace Susan Jackson in Pembroke South West
Michael Fahy, the former OBA government’s Home Affairs Minister contests C20: Pembroke South West Photo: Bermuda Broadcasting
Michael Fahy, former OBA senator and Minister of Home Affairs, is returning to front line politics to run in the February 18th General Election.
The One Bermuda Alliance today announced his candidacy for OBA stronghold, Constituency 20: Pembroke South West, replacing retiring Susan Jackson.
Ms Jackson held the seat with nearly 80% of the vote in the October 2020 snap election.
Michael Fahy served as the OBA Senate Leader and Minister of Home Affairs during their tenure from 2012-2017.
He is widely seen as the face of the OBA’s controversial ‘Pathways to Status’, which sought to allow people residing and working in Bermuda for 20 years or more to apply for Bermudian status.
Making his formal remarks in front of media at his party’s headquarters, Mr Fahy acknowledged that some might find his return to politics “strange” given past controversies but asserted, “your past does not define you.”
He stated that over the years, many had “vilified what [he] and the OBA attempted to do” and expressed his desire to set the record straight. Defending the ‘Pathways to Status’ initiative, Mr Fahy argued that it was intended to encourage people and capital to remain on the island.
“That is hardly “opening the floodgates” when the very people that would have applied were already here,” he said, dismissing the term “floodgate” as a “political phrase to undermine progress.”
“The aim was always to ensure we prevented emigration – the plan would essentially help Bermudians by keeping capital and money on the island, increase the tax base and our pension pool,” he explained.
Mr. Fahy admitted that the OBA did a “poor job” of explaining its intentions at the time and expressed his commitment to focusing on the future.
“We were in a position between 2012 and 2017 – it was tough and sometimes those perceptions become reality,” he said.
“The fact is, I was in the Senate and was put forward into portfolios, many times that were very difficult where a lot of things had to be done and you can’t always be popular. Sometimes, you’ve got to make decisions that you know in your heart are right, maybe mispackaged, and maybe I was the wrong person to present them, but that doesn’t take away from the fact that we are ready to represent the people of this country in government.”
Citing his personal motivation, Mr Fahy added, “ … I, like everyone , want a secure and happy future for their children. And I know that I can contribute to that and should the voters of C 20 choose me I look forward to representing them.”
You can read Mr Fahys remarks in full, HERE.
