Bermuda Opposition Calls for CARICOM Referendum Amid Transparency Concerns

Opposition legislator Michael Fahy is urging the Bermuda Government to hold a public referendum on full Caribbean Community (CARICOM) membership, calling the decision too significant to be made without direct input from Bermudians.

During a recent session of the House of Assembly, Fahy pressed the Minister of Home Affairs with questions on Bermuda’s CARICOM integration plans, focusing on three key issues: the timeline for a Green Paper on membership, the status of free movement for CARICOM nationals, and whether the public would have a vote via referendum.

The Minister responded that:

• A Green Paper is expected in early 2026, pending receipt of a draft agreement from the CARICOM Secretariat.
• Free movement of CARICOM citizens is not under consideration.
• No referendum will be held on full membership.

Fahy criticized the Government’s stance, warning that full CARICOM integration could profoundly affect Bermuda’s economy, immigration policy, cultural identity, and sovereignty.

“This is not a decision for Parliament alone,” Fahy said. “When a government plans to bind the nation to a regional bloc, the people must have the final say – especially when party discipline could override individual MPs’ judgment.”

He questioned why the Government has conducted public consultations on issues like signage reform and cost-of-living measures, yet refuses to do so on a matter of national consequence.

Fahy also challenged the Progressive Labour Party (PLP), accusing it of dismissing legitimate scrutiny from the One Bermuda Alliance (OBA). “No one in the OBA opposes regional cooperation,” he said. “But Bermudians should fear a government that confuses transparency with propaganda.”

Notably, Fahy highlighted a policy contradiction: while the PLP advocates for stronger Caribbean ties, it has ruled out free movement – a core component of CARICOM’s integration framework under the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas.

He suggested that limited free movement could help address Bermuda’s persistent labor shortages and demographic challenges. “This option deserves study, not automatic rejection,” Fahy said, adding that the Government’s inflexibility may be contributing to delays in receiving the draft CARICOM agreement.

The OBA maintains that full public debate and a comprehensive assessment of the benefits and risks are essential. “Our concern isn’t with CARICOM itself,” Fahy concluded. “It’s with a process that’s heavy on rhetoric but light on detail.”

As anticipation grows for the upcoming Green Paper, calls for inclusive, transparent decision-making are mounting—putting the future of Bermuda’s regional role firmly in the public spotlight.