By Alexa Lightbourne Minister of Home Affairs, JP, MP, Constituency #14, Devonshire North West
As Bermuda continues its careful exploration of enhanced CARICOM membership, recent statements by Shadow Minister Michael Fahy have unfortunately misrepresented and undermined the Government’s deliberate, transparent, and inclusive approach to this important national dialogue. These misleading assertions echo past efforts by Opposition predecessors, notably the United Bermuda Party (UBP) and One Bermuda Alliance (OBA), who similarly sought to discourage deeper CARICOM engagement by spreading misinformation and promoting unfounded fears.
It is essential to clarify that Bermuda is already an associate member of CARICOM, a status we share with all other regional British Overseas Territories and territories from French and Dutch jurisdictions such as Martinique and Curaçao.. Therefore, our current discussions are not about initiating a completely new relationship, but rather about enhancing our existing relationship to maximize the potential opportunities and benefits it can offer.
Historically, both the UBP and OBA administrations have often negatively framed the prospect of deepening Bermuda’s integration within CARICOM. These tactics have included false claims regarding immigration, misleading narratives about economic dependence, and exaggerated fears over national sovereignty. Despite these inaccurate representations, active engagement with CARICOM over the past two decades has consistently demonstrated clear and tangible benefits—recently illustrated by CARICOM's critical role in advocating against proposed tariffs on Bermuda-registered ships.
CARICOM’s fundamental purpose is to foster sustainable regional development, economic cooperation, cultural solidarity, and collective international negotiation power. By enhancing our existing membership, Bermuda stands to significantly benefit from strengthened regional partnerships, increased economic opportunities, and a reaffirmation of the cultural and historical ties that link us closely with our Caribbean neighbors.
The Government will outline a structured and thoughtful pathway toward full membership. We have formally requested a draft membership agreement from CARICOM to facilitate comprehensive public education and informed discussions. These discussions will culminate in the publication of a Green Paper, providing all Bermudians with detailed insights into membership obligations, benefits, and potential impacts, and ensuring an informed and inclusive decision-making process.
The narrative advanced by the Opposition suggesting that a decision has already been made or that the consultation is superficial is categorically incorrect, divisive, and detrimental to constructive public discourse.I invite all Bermudians to participate actively in the forthcoming consultations. Your informed voices and views are essential to shaping Bermuda’s path forward.
We must move beyond misleading claims and instead engage in factual, constructive dialogue that truly reflects our democratic values and shared aspirations. By doing so, we can collectively embrace the opportunities offered by a strengthened relationship within CARICOM, securing a prosperous and unified future for Bermuda within the broader Caribbean community.