Beautiful Virgin Islands

Tuesday, Jun 24, 2025

All the world’s a stage

A lot of effort is constantly given, by all sectors of society, to ensure that Bermuda and by extension, Bermudians, are always represented on the world stage. Whether it be; sports, international business or politics, those that step up to perform on behalf of our country have always done so with a willing heart.

Since March of this year, many meetings that Bermudians regularly were represented at, in person, are now being held online through various apps such as; Webex, Team meetings and Zoom.

Today we will discuss one such meeting.

Cambridge University virtual roundtable


On Friday, November 6, 2020, Cambridge University held a virtual roundtable discussion, via Zoom, titled: British Overseas Territories (OTs) and their relationship with the UK.

OTs were represented by panelists from:

* Bermuda

* [British] Virgin Islands

* Gibraltar

* Montserrat

* Falkland Islands

Additionally, there were various persons representing institutions such as; Cambridge University, University of Newcastle, the University of Southampton and various arms of the UK Civil Service.

Topics discussed included:

* Brexit, Global Britain and the future of relations between the UK and Overseas Territories

* Financial Services in the OTs,

* Economic Diversification in the OTs

* UK assistance with Hurricane relief

* UK assistance with Covid-19

The common theme discussed was that the United Kingdom has not treated all OTs equally or in good faith.

As prime examples:

* OTs of Anguilla and the Virgin Islands left to fend for themselves with post-Hurricane Irma and Maria in regards to short and long term economic recovery

* Unequal access in the UK to health care for OT residents

* The Falkland Islands are now facing challenges with exports for their fishing industry as the UK has now left the European Union.

It was a quite useful roundtable that allowed others in far-flung places to understand that they are not alone.

Voting during a pandemic


During the lead up to our October 1, 2020, General Election, there were a host of claims by the Opposition, the One Bermuda Alliance (OBA), that elections should not be held during a pandemic.

Their claim was that people will be exposing themselves to COVID-19.

Yet, they failed to admit that there were more people at a grocery store or bank, at any given time, than one would find at a polling station.

Over the last week, there have been a number of political elections safely held in the Caribbean region.

November 5- General Elections held in St Vincent and Grenadines - Prime Minister Ralph E. Gonsalves wins 9 out of 15 seats and fifth consecutive term for his centre-left Unity Labour Party (ULP), over the centre-right New Democratic Party (NDP), led by Goodwin E. L. Friday.

November 7- Leadership contest for Jamaican Opposition party, MP Mark J. Golding becomes President/Leader of the centre-left People's National Party (PNP).

November 11- A by-election was held in the constituency of St George North in Barbados following the resignation of incumbent MP Gline Clarke. The Barbados Labour Party (BLP) was represented by Ms Toni Moore and the Democratic Labour Party (DLP) was represented by Mr Floyd Reifer.

A total of 4,748 persons went to the polls and 3,154 voted for Moore, thus increasing the total number of women MPs in the Barbados Parliament to 7 out of 30.

November 11- General Election held in Belize where the then Opposition party the, centre-left People’s United (PUP), led by John Antonio Briceno, secured a decisive victory by winning 25 seats over the centre-right United Democratic Party (UDP) who only won 6 seats.

The UDP had been in government since 2008. There were an estimated 182,000 persons eligible to vote.

Non-isolationist


In closing, there are constant critics who state, ever so angrily, “we are not in the Caribbean”.

They are, in one instance, totally correct.

However, the reality is this, from a global perspective; Bermuda has always been considered a part of the Atlantic and Caribbean region when it comes to issues of geopolitical nature.


This is not something that was made up over the last few years. This has been a long-standing view by the civil service power brokers in Whitehall, London who ultimately have the final say of what goes on within the British Empire and its colonies.

As such, this Progressive Labour Party (PLP) government will continue to ensure that Bermuda is fully represented throughout the world stage, including our very own neighbours in the Atlantic and Caribbean region.

So to the critics, I leave you with this quote:

“I would with such perfection govern, sir,T'excel the golden age.”

Newsletter

Related Articles

Beautiful Virgin Islands
0:00
0:00
Close
Germany and Italy Under Pressure to Repatriate $245bn of Gold from US Vaults
Airlines Evaluate Flight Cancellations Amid Escalating US-Iran Tensions
Starmer Invites Innovators to Join Government Talent Scheme
UK Economy’s Strong Opening Quarter Shows Signs of Cooling
Harrods Seeks Court Order to Secure Al Fayed Estate for Victims
BA and Singapore Airlines Cancel Dubai Flights Amid Middle East Tensions
Trump Faces Backlash from MAGA Base Over Iran Strikes
Meta Bets $14 B on Alexandr Wang to Drive AI Ambitions
WATCH: Israeli forces show the aftermath of a massive airstrike at Iran's Isfahan nuclear site
FedEx Founder Fred Smith, ‘Heart and Soul’ of the Company, Dies at 80
Chinese Factories Shift Away from U.S. Amid Trump‑Era Tariffs
Pimco Seizes Opportunity in Japan’s Dislocated Bond Market
Labubu Doll Drives Pop Mart to Status as China’s Most Valuable Toy Maker
Global Coal Demand Defies Paris Accord Goals
We have new information and breaking details to share about what is shaping up to be a historic air campaign tonight
Six Massive Bombs Dropped on Fordow; Trump: 'A Historic Moment for the U.S., Israel, and the World'
Fordow: Deeply Buried Iranian Enrichment Site in U.S.–Israel Crosshairs
United States Conducts Precision Strikes on Iran’s Nuclear Sites
US strikes Iran nuclear sites, Trump says
Pakistan to nominate Trump for Nobel Peace Prize.
BBC Demands Perplexity AI Immediately Stop Using Its Content
Telegram Founder: I Will Leave My Fortune to Over 100 of My Children
Political Turmoil Resurfaces in Belgium Amid Economic Concerns
Fed policymakers divided on timing of interest rate cuts
Trump signals imminent agreement with Harvard University
Inheritance tax referendum alarms Swiss billionaire community
Japan cancels bilateral security meeting amid US defence demands
AI skeptic Emily Bender warns that ‘the emperor has no clothes’
Israel Confirms Assassination of Quds Force Commander in Tehran
16 Billion Login Credentials Leaked in Unprecedented Cybersecurity Breach
Senate hearing on who was 'really running' Biden White House kicks off
Iranian Military Officers Reportedly Seek Contact with Reza Pahlavi, Signal Intent to Defect
FBI and Senate Investigate Allegations of Chinese Plot to Influence the 2020 Election in Biden’s Favor Using Fake U.S. Driver’s Licenses
Vietnam Emerges as Luxury Yacht Destination for Ultra‑Rich
Plans to Sell Dutch Embassy in Bangkok Face Local Opposition
China's Iranian Oil Imports Face Disruption Amid Escalating Middle East Tensions
Trump's $5 Million 'Trump Card' Visa Program Draws Nearly 70,000 Applicants
DGCA Finds No Major Safety Concerns in Air India's Boeing 787 Fleet
Airlines Reroute Flights Amid Expanding Middle East Conflict Zones
Elon Musk's xAI Seeks $9.3 Billion in Funding Amid AI Expansion
Trump Demands Iran's Unconditional Surrender Amid Escalating Conflict
Israeli Airstrike Targets Iranian State TV in Central Tehran
President Trump is leaving the G7 summit early and has ordered the National Security Council to the Situation Room
Taiwan Imposes Export Ban on Chips to Huawei and SMIC
Israel has just announced plans to strike Tehran again, and in response, Trump has urged people to evacuate
Netanyahu Signals Potential Regime Change in Iran
Juncker Criticizes EU Inaction on Trump Tariffs
EU Proposes Ban on New Russian Gas Contracts
Analysts Warn Iran May Resort to Unconventional Warfare
Iranian Regime Faces Existential Threat Amid Conflict
×