A new year brings a new election in Bermuda, with the general election set for 18th February. Elections can bring changes on the immigration front. For example, after the election of the OBA in 2012, they ended the six-year work permit term limits. Then, it was only after the PLP was re-elected in October 2020, long-awaited proposals for PRC based long term residency were finally brought forwards.
I will keep an eye on the different party platforms, and share my thoughts on how immigration policies might be impacted.
This election promises to be particularly interesting. Beyond the usual rivalry between the two main parties, the FDM could attract significant numbers of votes. Independent candidates could also shake things up in some seats. My hunch is that the FDM will hurt the PLP more than the OBA. This could give the OBA an edge in some seats. Independent candidates are more of a wild card, and might damage the OBA in a smaller number of seats.
All this, and other factors, means that the election looks like it will be more competitive than the last two. This could play into what the parties might offer in their election platforms regarding immigration.