Today, Premier Ewart Brown and MP Walter Lister affirmed the PLP's commitment to open government. Premier Brown:

President Obama's commitment to FOI is laudable. I don't think you will find anyone in our Government who thinks supporting the principles of FOI or PATI (public access to information) is a bad thing.

We have consistently supported the introduction of such a measure in Bermuda. That's why I am confident ours will be the first Government to bring an FOI/PATI bill to the floor of the House of Assembly.

The UBP had 30 years to pursue FOI/PATI, and, they declined. Now, the PLP is taking up the cause. But, instead of rushing poorly constructed legislation through the House of Assembly, it's important to take the time to get the legislation right. MP Walter Lister:

We are concerned about it and we, the Government of the day, have always felt that opening it up to the public is always a healthy thing.

It's only human rights, only natural, to give people an opportunity to see what goes on in these committees. This would be a broadening of democracy here.

We know our principles and we're taking the time necessary to translate them into sound policy.