OBA platform, and PLP comments on immigration

According to an article penned by an OBA candidate published here, the OBA does not appear to have any plans to release an updated election platform, and is relying on a platform published in September last year.

That platform, frankly, is thin. It is a mere 8 pages long.

It mentions immigration only once, on p6, saying that they will revitalise the local market through immigration reform. However, there are no clues as to what that reform might look like.

Prior to the OBA winning the 2012 election, their platform on immigration was similarly vague. They had no electoral mandate to implement the ill-fated 2016 pathways to status, which came as a surprise and eroded trust from many voters.

Is the OBA making the same mistake this time? The PLP is certainly making capital out of this, along with the annoucement of the OBA to run Michael Fahy, the architect of the 2016 pathways proposals, in a safe seat. In a press release, Jason Hayward, the current Minister responsible for Immigration, has outlined the PLP's record on immigration, pointing to the mixed status families legislation, removing the requirement for an affidavit of domicile for children of Bermudians born overseas, and allowing pathways to PRC after 20 years' residency.

He went on to say that the PLP plans to amend work permit policies to place Bermudians first among all worker categories. This is an idea that was floated some time ago. I foresee serious problems with implentation of this, which I explored in a previous newsletter update, in March last year. He also intends to put an English proficiency test in place for all foreign national work permit holders. It is unclear what 'foreign national' adds to this phrasing, possibly non-British, given that Bermuda is a British territory. Regardless, it is unnecessary red tape for the majority of work permit holders who hail from English-speaking countries, rather than focussing on nationals of countries where English is not the main language. These are interesting previews of the PLP's platform, which is supposed to be released in full at some point today.

Mr Hayward went on to pursue the attack line of the OBA's attempts to implement pathways to status, and that Bermudians must stand together to ensure the OBA's plans never become reality.