Whenever our PLP Caucus meets we take attendance. They must do the same over at the Bermudiana Arcade.

If the UBP Caucus Secretary would have taken attendance at the Sally Bassett Monument opening ceremony last night it would have been a dire report.

Gibbons?

Barritt?

Moniz?

Fahy?

Dunkley?

Scores attended, including the Governor, the Premier, the Deputy Premier, the Leader of the Opposition, a collection of Government Ministers and senators and scores of colleagues from the House of Assembly and the Senate to honour Sally Bassett, a true Bermudian hero.

We all know Sally Bassett's story. She stood up and fought the deep injustice of slavery. It's shocking to me that even today a segment of our population still views her heroism with contempt. It's sad to hear what Marc Bean experienced when canvassing homes in advance of the Southampton West by-election. One older Bermudian expressed his contempt for placing the Sally Bassett statue on Cabinet Grounds because, in his view, this national hero who took on the injustice of
slavery was "a criminal." That constituent wasn't there that night. And, it sends a strong message when there were so many noteworthy no-shows.

Actions speak louder than words. It was not lost on any of those in attendance who was there and who wasn't. It was reminiscent of then UBP Leader Michael Dunkley skipping Dame Lois Browne-Evans' funeral, reportedly to play golf.

We don't know why the UBP Caucus had a poor showing. There may be a perfectly good reason. But, they could have at least written to express regret for a scheduling conflict. That's what Wayne Furbert did. But then again, they no longer call "Furbert" from the attendance sheet at the Bermudiana Arcade.