Thomas Christopher Famous is a Bermuda based columnist who writes on political and social issues in Bermuda and the wider Caribbean. He has weekly columns in the following online publications; Bernews, Caribbean News Now, Today in Bermuda and The Royal Gazette. Photo: Provided

PLP MP Rolfe Commisiong (left) and Premier of Bermuda, Michael H. Dunkley. Photo: Provided

One Bermuda Alliance (OBA) MPs, Shawn Crockwell (left) and Leah Scott. Photo: Provided

Over the last month, it has become increasingly apparent that Premier Michael H. Dunkley has taken a hit on multiple fronts; so much so that it now obvious that his level of political influence is becoming null and void.

Strike One
On Friday, June 17, 2016, PLP MP Rolfe Commisiong presented his bill seeking to establish a Joint Select Committee ( JSC) to study a living wage for Bermudians, something that thousands of Bermudians of all stripes have been calling for over the last few years.

Initially the OBA, via Minister Patricia Gordon-Pamplin, attempted to turn the bill into a “Take note motion which, in effect, would mean that there would be no JSC. With the majority of MPs on their side, the OBA looked as if they would accomplish this feat.

That was until two OBA MPs - namely MP Leah Scott and MP Shawn Crockwell - rose to their feet and stated that they felt so strongly about the issue that they intended to vote to support the bill. These declarations caused the entire OBA to have to make a U-turn in their decisions and the JSC was formed.

Strike Two

On Friday, July 2, 2016 in the House of Assembly, MP Shawn Crockwell exposed that, under the leadership of Premier Dunkley, the OBA was nothing more than a reincarnation of the UBP. While many Bermudians have known this since the formation of the OBA, hearing the words coming from one of the founders of the OBA had a whole new ring to it.

Take a look at his words:-

“What has happened is, instead of the OBA reflecting the vision of the BDA, particularly under the current leadership, Mr Speaker, the OBA has embraced the philosophy and the methodology, Mr Speaker, of the UBP.

We’ve had a methodology of arrogance, Mr Speaker, coming from this government. My way is the right way, Mr Speaker. That is why we have had all of the protests that we have seen in the past three years.

“The fact of the matter, Mr Speaker, is that in 2012, the people of this country did not vote for the United Bermuda Party. The people of this country, voted for the One Bermuda Alliance. They saw something new, something fresh. They thought they were getting a different vision.

“What they have received, Mr Speaker, is the UBP.”

With those poignant words, he laid it bare for the entire Bermudian public to see that the OBA, under Premier Dunkley, will never be about all Bermudians, particularly black Bermudians.

This one speech alone has damaged, beyond immediate repair, any hope of the OBA gaining back the crucial black swing vote.

Strike Three

On Friday, July 8, 2016, the OBA, via Health Minister Jeanne Atherden, attempted yet again to bring a rushed bill titled: “Bermuda Health Council Amendment Act 2016” that would bring draconian measures to Bermudian doctors and the private practice.

Not only was the bill soundly criticised but Minister Atherden was forced to retreat by declaring she would “rise and report”. In typical OBA fashion, it turns out the bill was never fully discussed with all medical practitioners until after it was presented in the HOA. Not surprisingly, when the medical professionals heard the details of the bill they too rejected it.

So much for wide consultation.

DOWNWARD SPIRAL

Consider the magnitude of what has happened to Premier Dunkley over the last few months:-

• His government forced to u-turn on a major position due to lack of support from his own MPs
• His government forced to “rise and report “ on a major bill due to lack of votes and lack of consultation
• His government exposed as being nothing more than the UBP by one of its own founders
• His government having only 18 seats out of a 36 seat parliament

Bearing all that in mind, it comes as no surprise that on Friday July 8, 2016 Premier Dunkley found himself abstaining from voting in the HOA on the major issue of SSM .

Let that sink in for a minute, the leader of this country will go down in history as an elected MP afraid to vote in Parliament on a major issue.

As the saying goes, if it looks like a duck, talks like a duck and walks like a duck…