The rhetoric from the One Bermuda Alliance attempts to distract the public from the harsh realities of its record of failure, and anti-Bermudian policies and approaches. Its surrogates are pushed into the limelight and tasked with trying to get Bermudians to forget that the OBA was given the reins of power once — and its record during that period and the people’s judgment on its tenure speaks for itself.
It was the OBA’s inability to connect with the people, its focus on policies that favoured the few over the many, and its refusal to take accountability for the consequences of decisions that led to an overwhelming rejection at the polls.
The people of Bermuda spoke clearly, choosing to reject the OBA’s anti-Bermudian agenda in favour of a Progressive Labour Party government committed to serving all Bermudians.
The OBA’s narrative conveniently glosses over that during its time in office it failed to deliver on the promises that mattered most to Bermudians. While it boasts about St Regis and the America’s Cup, it neglects to mention the widening inequality, the lack of opportunities for ordinary Bermudians and the social discontent that grew under its watch.
Under OBA rule, shared sacrifice meant that the working and middle classes sacrificed while the wealthy, privileged and elite shared the spoils. Its policies did not bring about the prosperity that was promised, but instead deepened the economic challenges that many Bermudians still face today.
Furthermore, the OBA has yet to acknowledge its failures, nor has it offered an apology to the people it let down. Instead, it doubles down on the same approaches that were rejected in the last election — and the election before that.
Its unwillingness to recognise why it was swept from office shows a disturbing disconnect from the reality that Bermudians face every day. It continues to push an agenda that has been already rejected by the people, hoping that this time around it can sell the same failed policies under a different guise.
The PLP, on the other hand, remains focused on addressing the needs of all Bermudians despite the challenges that come with governing during difficult times. Yes, we have faced hurdles, and we have had to make tough decisions, but our commitment to the people of Bermuda has never wavered.
We are not content with Bermuda as it is; instead, we continue to work steadily to improve the lives of all Bermudians.
The OBA may try to capitalise on the challenges we face, but we know that it is more interested in getting back in power so it can open the immigration floodgates, and shifting the tax burden back on to regular Bermudians than it is in building a Bermuda that doesn’t work only for the rich.
Bermudians are wise enough to remember that when the OBA was given the chance, it failed to deliver:
• Promised 2,000 jobs and not only failed to keep that promise, but its policies grew non-Bermudian jobs and shrunk job opportunities for Bermudians
• Oversaw a 49-year low in tourism arrivals
• Tried to give the children of guest workers the right to compete with our own Bermudian children for jobs and opportunities
• Cost Bermudian taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars with Morgan’s Point and airport deals
• Tried to slash women’s access to mammograms
• Continue to brag about the America’s Cup, although its own economic report revealed that the majority of economic beneficiaries were White
• Tried to further marginalise Bermudians and open the immigration floodgates with Pathways to Status
• Was in government when seniors were pepper-sprayed
• Was led by the only premier forced to resign over allegations of corruption
The OBA’s calls for change ring hollow when it offers nothing but a return to the same tactics that led to its 2017 defeat.
It has changed a few faces, pushed its more offensive characters into the background and shuffled its leadership pack, but it has not changed and remains a danger to the hopes and aspirations of regular Bermudians.
The PLP is not perfect — we have made mistakes. But unlike the OBA, we have been willing to apologise and adjust our approach. We will continue to steadily build a Bermuda that works for everyone, not just the privileged few, and we remain committed to a vision of progress, unity and opportunity for all Bermudians.
Owen Darrell is the Government Senate Leader, the Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport, and the approved candidate for Pembroke East (Constituency 15)
• Owen Darrell is the Government Senate Leader, the Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport, and the approved candidate for Pembroke East (Constituency 15)
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Publish date : 2024-09-02 23:12:00
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