The Diamond Jubilee in Bermuda

Bermuda goes to work tomorrow and Tuesday, whilst sovereign states, crown dependencies and other overseas territories are off waving flags, necking Pimms, eating pork pies and celebrating Her Majesty’s 60 years on the throne.

I shouldn’t complain too much, we get more than our fair share of public holidays here on the rock, but it did interest me that the government in election year decided against observing the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.

Last year’s Royal Wedding passed without so much as a streamer and I find it not only sad but also a lost opportunity for Bermuda’s flailing tourism industry.

Only the middle of last week did the Diamond Jubilee Committee for Bermuda announce this weekend’s events. A little late to encourage hordes of Americans to visit this tiny, sun-soaked isle that is ocean to ocean crammed full of 400 years of British history.

From what I can see the only government initiated event is a ferry-led flotilla of boats from Hamilton Harbour to Dockyard 20 minutes away. Whoppee-do. The other activities, a service of thanks at the 400-year old St Peter’s Church in St Georges and the Saturday night lighting of beacons at Commissioner’s House, Fort Hamilton and Fort St. Catherine aside, look a bit limp if you ask me.

A tree planting? I’m all for a new tree but what’s wrong with every other day? A corporate charity day and a high tea? I bet there won’t be a pork pie in sight.

Dull, dull and dull and even more disappointing when, after a little Google, I see the Falkland Islands are pushing the boat out (pop: 2,995) so are Montserrat (pop: 4,655), who are having a parade and by all accounts every other colony of some sort or other are observing

There has been more conjecture on independence recently. The departing Governor Sir Richard Gozney said in a farewell interview that Britain is not encouraging it, but simply the Bermudian people will decide. The last referendum was in 1995 when 75% voted against it. The turn out was 58%, which was pitiful.

Bermuda is Britain’s oldest colony and 10 years ago it was designated as a British Overseas Territory and is self-governing with a high degree of control over its own affairs. Bermudians are entitled to be both Bermudian and British citizens, carry British passports and have the right to live and work in the European Community. Ironically ex-pats need a work permit, which are ponderously scrutinised.

Bermuda relies on international business, over 18,000 offshore companies are registered here, and tourism, where the income is a pimple on the bum of international business. Bermuda has virtually no natural resources and no industry. The UK government also bears Bermuda’s cost of it’s external relations and defence.

On the face of it, independence doesn’t sound an intelligent decision so why would Bermudians want independence? That is a very complex question and over a pork pie and a Pimms I might get into it one day.