Jarion Richardson, leader of the opposition One Bermuda Alliance says their policy objective remains to protect Bermudians
One Bermuda Alliance leader Jarion Richardson confirmed that the party would offer a public consultation on new proposals for immigration reform, should they be elected to government.
The General Election is scheduled for Tuesday, February 18 with both parties the ruling Progressive Labour Party and the OBA fielding 36 candidates each. A historic 110 total candidates, including those representing the Free Democratic Movement and independents will vie for seats in parliament.
Last week, the PLP’s Premier and party leader David Burt, Economy and Labour Minister Jason Hayward, the minister responsible for immigration and PLP candidate Lauren Hayward Bell doubled down in opposition to the former OBA’s controversial ‘Pathways to Status’ bill that sought to grant Bermudian status to permanent resident certificate holders or those residing on the island for more than 20 years.
The subject was reignited after the OBA presented the person characterised by the PLP as the ‘architect’ of the bill, former Home Affairs minister, Michael Fahy as their candidate in Pembroke South West -widely seen as an OBA ‘safe seat’.
Mr. Richardson was asked whether or not an iteration of the controversial Pathways to Status bill would make a re-appearance should the OBA re-claim control of the government.
He said firstly, the topic of immigration reform must be “de-weaponised” in order to find solutions to growing the country’s population size.
The Government has stated that the population will be comprised of 25% senior citizens by 2025 with an estimated 8,400 additional jobs needed for the economy to sustain the current population.
He said, “We have to protect Bermuda and Bermudians and part of doing that is making sure there’s enough economic resources and jobs in Bermuda and the way to do that is through immigration reform.
“So, there’s a lot of work to be done. There was a plan put forward. It, obviously…it was weaponised – I truly believe that. And to that end now, we have to effectively de-weaponise immigration and make immigration reform, not a topic that used to beat people about the head, but a genuine conversation about how Bermuda’s going to thrive into the next generation.”
The PLP argued last week during a news conference that their rejection of Pathways to Status was aimed at protecting young Bermudians who otherwise would have to compete for internships against the children of non-Bermudians and protect the small available size of land for Bermudians.
Mr. Richardson’s response points to a wider, pressing issue of coming to a solution that will equally protect Bermudians and expand the economic pie.
