Statement by OBA MP Dwayne Robinson, Shadow Minister of Home & Community Affairs
Bermudians deserve clear answers and the right to have their voices heard via referendum before any final decision is taken on full CARICOM membership by the PLP Government.
Let me be clear. This is not about rejecting the Caribbean. It is well known that many Bermudian families, including my own, share cultural, sporting, historical, and community ties across the region.
These ties matter, and they should be respected, nurtured, taught about in our schools, and strengthened.
Cultural connection is not the same as full membership of CARICOM.
The question before Bermuda is practical.
What does it cost? How will our Government navigate the current geo-political climate within the Caribbean region? What new benefits would Bermudians receive that we do not already have as an Associate Member?
Do Bermudians support full membership of CARICOM in 2026?
To date, the Government has been unclear, while we are waiting for definitive answers.
The One Bermuda Alliance believes Bermuda’s current Associate Membership is the most suitable for us.
It allows Bermuda to maintain regional relationships while protecting our unique economic, constitutional, immigration, and labour realities.
The Government touting a stronger voice for Bermuda as a reason for becoming full members of CARICOM does not match our current constitutional reality.
Bermuda would face many restrictions as a full CARICOM member because we are still an overseas territory of the United Kingdom. As such, it constitutionally has the authority over our foreign affairs, defense, and internal security. We would be forced to abstain on many votes within CARICOM but still pay for full membership.
Unless the Progressive Labour Party intends to change that, and if this is indeed the case, Premier Burt should be honest with the people of Bermuda.
As it stands right now, we would just be increasing our expenditure for another level of limited participation.
These facts cannot be brushed aside with slogans.
The Government must explain the cost. The Minister has already backpedaled on the estimate printed in the Government’s own Green Paper.
Bermudians are already facing pressure from housing, healthcare, groceries, transport, education, and the wider cost of living. If the Government wants Bermuda to take on new obligations, it must show the public what we will receive in return in clear, measurable terms.
This is not fear mongering. It is responsible scrutiny, as it affects the lives of everyday Bermudians.
It is not anti-Caribbean to ensure Bermudians are getting a good deal. It is not anti-Caribbean to ask for a cost-benefit analysis. It is not anti-Caribbean to ask whether Bermuda’s immigration, labour, financial services, and constitutional positions may change if we take this decision.
Respecting the Caribbean and demanding answers from our own Government are not contradictions.
The OBA is simply asking for clarity before commitment and the right for Bermudians to make this critical choice for themselves.
We believe that since the final decision lies with CARICOM and the United Kingdom, that our Government should have an iron clad mandate from the people to ask for this process to begin.
Full Membership of CARICOM was not a policy point in the Progressive Labour Party’s last platform, and it failed to capture the popular vote in the last election.
A decision of this size should not be taken by Cabinet alone. It should not be pushed forward through political messaging. It should be placed before the people in a referendum.
We have also seen members of the public begin their own online petition calling for a referendum on Bermuda’s proposed full membership in CARICOM. That petition reflects a genuine public concern that deserves to be respected.
Until Bermudians are given clear answers, and until the public can decide directly, the OBA cannot support Bermuda moving from Associate Membership to full CARICOM membership.
Before full membership, Bermudians deserve full answers.
