HAMILTON, Bermuda, CMC -Government says while it is disappointed that the Municipalities Reform Act 2026 failed to gain the support of legislators in the Senate, the need to reform Bermuda’s municipal system “remains clear.
“The government acknowledges the Senate’s decision to reject the Municipalities Reform Act 2026, legislation aimed at addressing longstanding challenges in municipal governance,” the Ministry of Housing and Municipalities said in a statement.
A vote of six to five defeated the motion to pass the Municipalities Reform Act 2026, and as a result, the legislation could be brought back to the House of Assembly in a year.
The controversial Bill had proposed replacing elections in the corporations running Hamilton and St George with appointments by the Minister of Housing and Municipalities.
“We respect the role of the Senate within our parliamentary democracy. At the same time, the need to reform Bermuda’s municipal system remains clear.
“The legislation was brought forward to address longstanding issues. As municipal bodies are responsible for delivering important services and managing key public assets, they must operate in a way that is accountable, effective, and aligned with the needs of the country as a whole.”
The government said that the reform was intended to modernise how municipalities function, strengthening oversight, improving accountability, and ensuring more consistent delivery for residents and businesses.
“As with many public bodies, we believe that appointed boards can provide the expertise, accountability, and alignment needed to deliver effectively,” the government said, adding that the decision by the Senate “delays reform, but it does not remove the need for it.
“The question is not whether change is required, but how long Bermuda can afford to wait.”
The Progressive Labour Party (PLP) government first announced plans to revamp the centuries-old corporations in 2008, before putting them forward again in 2019.
The amendment failed to pass the Senate and led to a civil case brought by the Corporation of Hamilton, which was eventually dismissed by the Privy Council last year.
Last Friday, the Act was approved by a vote of 19 to 11, with all 11 One Bermuda Alliance (OBA) legislators voting against the Bill. Leader of Government Business in the Senate, Kim Wilkerson, who tabled the legislation, said allowing the ministry to appoint professionals would improve efficiency.
“I am aware that there will not be unanimous support for this Bill, because that’s how politics works, but I do hope those without a political whip should be open-minded.”
The legislation would have allowed the minister to select the mayor and eight councillors, with four recommended by a selection committee, and Wilkerson said the old voting system was antiquated and built to give voting power only to landowners.
But OBA member, Victoria Cunningham, said this change would remove the community’s ability to hold its councillors accountable.
“Why do we need to add another safeguard when we have those elected officials who get things done?” she said, adding later that the Bill’s failure to pass reflected “a simple principle that democracy matters”.
In its statement, the government says it “will now determine the next steps to ensure that meaningful municipal reform is still delivered, including further engagement and consideration of the available legislative options.
“The government remains committed to ensuring that Bermuda’s public institutions are modern, accountable, and capable of delivering for the entire country,” it added.
and then 