PLP & OBA Continue To Debate Term Limit Policy

June 22, 2012

Shadow Finance Minister Bob Richards and the Progressive Labour Party continue to verbally spar over term limits, following a recent report from the Cayman Islands about the impact term limits had on their business growth.

“The flak gets heaviest when you’re closest to the target. The latest anonymous PLP assault on my credibility and the OBA economic recovery plan is nothing but flak – an exercise in lies and distortion,” Mr Richards said last night.

Mr Richards continued: “Lie Number 1: The PLP say the OBA’s policy is to end term limits. The OBA policy, as stated in our Budget Reply and other releases, is to suspend term limits for a period of two years pending a review for a policy that works better for Bermuda.

“Lie Number 2: The PLP say our term limit policy is the only plan we have for economic recovery. This is a total falsehood. We have outlined in detail our recovery proposals to the public several times including in the formal Budget Reply in March where they were listed in clear point form.

“My colleagues and I in the OBA have no problem with engaging in debate about the best way forward for Bermuda. We all want Bermuda to do better. The well being of Bermudians depends on it. But we can’t have that debate – and solutions will be harder to come by – if one side continues to lie and distort.

“Let’s refocus on the Bermuda economic reality and the best way out of this mess. Our position on term limits has been clearly stated for months. But we would go further. In addition to their suspension, we would crack down on employer abuse of the work permit process.

“For too long the PLP government has turned a blind eye to employers abusing the system. This is yet another example of a lack of accountability within the government – a government that likes to set up rules but does not have the backbone to enforce them. We will hold those abusing employers to account.

“The PLP wants people to believe that all Bermuda’s economic problems are caused by the global recession because such a belief conveniently lets them off the hook for their failed policies.

“Here are the economic facts: In a recession, all industries/companies don’t have to do poorly; some can do quite well. Apple is a famous example of a company excelling during the global recession. The Albright-Stonebridge Impact Study on Bermuda clearly shows the same to be true for the Bermuda reinsurance industry. Given that this is our primary industry, Bermuda should be doing better, creating more jobs for Bermudians. The fact that we are not has to be laid at the feet of PLP government policies.

“This is the inconvenient truth that the PLP have to live with. Misdirecting attention to a Cayman Island report that does not reflect government policy is not fooling anybody. It’s a distraction from what’s important,” concluded Mr Richards.

The PLP responded to Mr Richards saying he “just can’t help himself while he and the OBA continue to deceive Bermudians.

“Bob Richards’ first fib is to say that the OBA doesn’t support ending term limits. On 12 August 2011, the local media reported that the OBA would “end term limits” for certain work permit categories. That idea is unworkable and would be a disaster for Bermudians.

“The Cayman Islands rejected it with one Caymanian opining that such a policy would make Caymanians second class citizens in their own country. The PLP is a party that stands strong for Bermudians and is committed to defending our opportunities,” continued the PLP.

“Bob Richards’ second fib is that he has other ideas to improve the economy. We’ve read his reply to the budget. His so called “ideas” aren’t ideas at all. They are statements like “Providing effective budget support for the marketing of Bermuda to international business” and “Finding new investors for Bermuda tourism developments.” That’s not a policy. That’s not an idea. That’s what the PLP Government is already doing!

“Bob Richards and the OBA can try to mislead the Bermudian people as much as he wants, but, the truth is that his party has only offered to bring radical change to Bermuda that will put in place two Bermudas – one Bermuda that works for his Front Street friends and another Bermuda where the rest of Bermudians are left behind,” concluded the PLP.

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Comments (21)

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  1. Reverend Pastor says:

    Lies, Lies and damned lies. The election must be near – PLP is turning up the heat.

    Lie to the public, its expected.
    Long as it gets you re-elected.

    PLP – Pathetic Lying Pexpletives

    • O no he didn't says:

      A reverend pastor speaking such words! That alone shows that your congregation must be lost.

    • Concerned Citizen says:

      Wow, what a fraud! You need to go back to Sunday school pastor. I would expect a higher tone from you, even when offering criticism.

  2. RUFKM says:

    Bob Richards can’t get his story straight, now he’s talking about work permit abuses!

    Bob, face the music, you want to get rid of term limits and give PRCs status and the right to vote, just like they do in the Cayman Islands.

    With all this time the OBA have had to “plan” don’t you think its interesting they won’t say anything about what happens after they “suspend” term limits. Curious indeed.

    • Truth says:

      After the 2 year suspension of term limits, hopefully our Reinsurance Companies and other private sector companies decide to move senior executives to the island.

      For every executive that lands here to live and work there are number of jobs that are created by them …for Bermudians.

      For every young professional Bermudian that is employed, they can afford to employ other Bermudians to work for him (Construction, electrical, AC, house cleaning services, etc etc.)

      Not to mention the ancillary benefits: the renting of apartments, BELCO benefits, grocery stores, restaurants, schools, taxi’s etc etc.

      GOD FORBID any of that stuff happens ! That would just be terrible for Bermudians. You’re right, we should stick with the current plan of making our Companies feel unwelcome and isolated.

      • LOL (the new) says:

        Bob told us that Cayman was doing it the right way. But, Cayman’s expat population dropped from a peak of 24,730 to 19,927.

        Bob and the OBA just don’t give me a lot of confidence. They don’t have any other ideas to address the economy. Their only idea is one that failed in Cayman. What makes you think that it’ll work here?

        • LOL (original TM*) says:

          OBA has more ideas than you! Can’t even pick yor own name………….

          LOL PLP M.O. if you can’t have a good idea steal it!

    • say it like it is says:

      And the funny thing is RUFKM is that the PLP are constantly hiring Experts. So PLP should stop lying, they could care less about Bermudians.

  3. Truth (original) says:

    The PLP crack me up. Who has made out better than the friends of the PLP and members of the party? Whilst the public purse is plundered and our national debt is ever increasing, it would be very interesting to see which PLP Minsters and friends of the PLPs personal wealth have grown during that same period.

    In the US this would be public information. This is perpahs why the Government hasn’t moved at all on the PATI bill that was promised so many years ago now.

    The attempt to paint the OBA as the front street party is laughable. PLP is the new front street…. You didn’t get the memo?

  4. Vexed Onion says:

    No surprise here, as this situation was forecast on July 18 2003 in the Royal Gazette.

    http://www.royalgazette.com/article/20030718/BUSINESS/307189993

    • JJR says:

      VERY INTERESTING ARTICLE – poorly written, but an excellent article that everyone should read. Such a timely resurection!

      Thanks Onion!

      • LOL (the new) says:

        Clearly you haven’t taken a peek at the Irish economy lately!!! Talk about running off a cliff!!!

  5. navin johnson says:

    The Twenty Two Thieves have long replaced The Forty Thieves…

    • LOL (the new) says:

      You’re really going to argue that the Goslings, Gibbons and Dunkleys of the world don’t control the economic power on this island? Really? That definitely makes me LOL.

      • Just the Facts says:

        Really? What exactly is “economic power on this island”? Is it the BMA? Is it the Ministry of Finance? Is it the Bermudian shareholders of many local public companies like BELCO, Bank of Butterfield, etc.? Come on, LOL, get a life and stop trying the same old scare tactic making a few businesses into the bogeyman. Do you know how many Bermudians are employed by Gosling’s, Gibbons group and Dunkley’s? They many be influential, but they certainly don’t come close to “controlling economic power,” whatever that is.

      • Navin Johnson says:

        I do want to argue that…who stole the cement company? The Twenty Two Thieves of course

  6. Bermywan says:

    “The PLP wants people to believe that all Bermuda’s economic problems are caused by the global recession because such a belief conveniently lets them off the hook for their failed policies.”

    BOOM! nuff said

  7. Amazed says:

    Bob continues to put his foot in his mouth. “Misdirecting attention to a Cayman Island report that does not reflect government policy is not fooling anybody. It’s a distraction from what’s important,” concluded Mr Richards.
    ps. this is what he said and is exactly also what he is doing.