Video/Text: PLP Response To Premier’s Address
Opposition Leader Marc Bean delivered his response to Premier Craig Cannonier’s National Address this evening [July 22], where he suggested a number of proposals to improve the island’s economy.
Moving immediately on a referendum for gaming; developing our Exclusive Economic Zone for sea-bed mining, aquaculture, and off-shore fishing; implementing the Incentives for Job Makers Act, and leveraging our telecommunications reform to introduce global online gaming legislation were some of the proposals.
Mr. Bean said, “The truth is that, we cannot continue to pretend that our current economic model isn’t broken, or that just removing term limits will stop business closures, job redundancies, and companies leaving Bermuda.
“There is a growing sense that there will be job cuts in the civil service, regardless of what promises have been made. We are very concerned about this and hope that a more compassionate solution can be achieved.
“Many potential investors have privately confessed to being unsure of our government’s stability and direction, citing their inexperience, lack of a plan, and policy decisions that could lead to social unrest. This is troubling.
“Let me make myself clear, No government can create jobs. Any politician, regardless of which party they represent, who promises that government can create jobs, is lying to you, and only wants your votes,” continued Mr. Bean.
“Governments can only cultivate the conditions where jobs can be created, and that can only happen when we face the truth and take decisive action. It is the private sector, you and your neighbors,that can create jobs.”
The proposals from the Opposition were:
- To implement the recently developed Infrastructure Strategy, to identify much needed improvements or repairs to our infrastructure, that will not only enhance our overall quality of life, but create business opportunities for construction companies and jobs for Bermudian construction workers.
- Moving immediately on a referendum for gaming; allowing our people to have their say and to eliminate investor uncertainty in our tourism industry.
- Developing our Exclusive Economic Zone for Sea-Bed mining (a billion dollar a year industry), Aquaculture, and Off-Shore Fishing, to create new jobs, diversify our economy, and create new revenue streams.
- Implement The Incentives for Job Makers Act, creating a clear and direct set of benefits for new businesses to establish in Bermuda, bringing with them new jobs and new opportunities
- Designating a segment of BLDC land as an “Economic FREE Zone.” Targeting global businesses such as high value physical commodity trading and satellite operations, with incentives such as payroll and other tax exemptions.
- Leverage our Telecommunications reform and IB infrastructure to introduce global online gaming legislation, online gaming being a 35 billion per year industry
“Five of these proposals will directly create jobs, and equally important, generate revenue for the public purse that will help offset our deficit, and reduce our debt. In addition, we must create new markets, tap into existing ones, and compete,” said Mr. Bean.
“Now is the time for us to adjust our thinking, become innovative, and begin to look at ways to create opportunities for ourselves. We must change the consciousness of our people, from one that says “government must,” “IB must,” and so on, to one that says, “I must, and I will”!
“Government can help, by putting the same energy and effort for reducing red tape and creating red carpet for local entrepreneurs, as they have for hotels and international business. Removing restrictions that hinder entrepreneurship will expand opportunities for our people to cooperate, compete, contribute to our economy in a meaningful way, and feed their families.
The Opposition Leader’s full speech is below:
Good evening.
Tonight, we are going to have REAL talk, and I am going to tell you something that you haven’t heard in quite some time……the truth.
The truth is that, we cannot continue to pretend that our current economic model isn’t broken, or that just removing term limits will stop business closures, job redundancies, and companies leaving Bermuda. We cannot continue to pretend that Bermuda isn’t an expensive place to do business, or that any influx of new companies to Bermuda will not bring the huge numbers of consumers, tenants and taxpayers, that we saw in the past. The business model for IB has changed.
There is a growing sense that there will be job cuts in the civil service, regardless of what promises have been made. We are very concerned about this and hope that a more compassionate solution can be achieved. Bermuda’s Unions are to be commended for the way they have conducted themselves throughout the negotiations; Acting in good faith, integrity and in the best interest of Bermuda. They are doing their best to protect jobs and wages, yet if we do not face the fact that the government will likely cut civil service jobs, we will be ill equipped to deal with the consequences of that decision.
Many potential investors have privately confessed to being unsure of our government’s stability and direction, citing their inexperience, lack of a plan, and policy decisions that could lead to social unrest. This is troubling. As a people, we must get behind our government, support them where possible…..encourage them to produce a plan, and perhaps most importantly, push them to think more carefully about the social and economic consequences of their actions
Let me make myself clear, No government can create jobs. Any politician, regardless of which party they represent, who promises that government can create jobs, is lying to you, and only wants your votes. Governments can only cultivate the conditions where jobs can be created, and that can only happen when we face the truth and take decisive action. It is the private sector, you and your neighbors,that can create jobs. In fact, in order for the optimum conditions for job growth to occur, Government must get out of the way, and depart from the long held notion that politicians and the State can manage an economy.
Both government and the opposition know that what I am telling you tonight is true…..the only difference is that the government hasn’t acknowledged this and hasn’t told you this….as I just did. Yet as we address the challenges facing our people, this is not the time for pessimism and surrender…..it is the time for leadership, REAL shared sacrifice and ACTION.
As such, we propose:
To implement the recently developed Infrastructure Strategy, to identify much needed improvements or repairs to our infrastructure, that will not only enhance our overall quality of life, but create business opportunities for construction companies and jobs for Bermudian construction workers.
Moving immediately on a referendum for gaming; allowing our people to have their say and to eliminate investor uncertainty in our tourism industry
Developing our Exclusive Economic Zone for Sea-Bed mining (a billion dollar a year industry), Aquaculture, and Off-Shore Fishing, to create new jobs, diversify our economy, and create new revenue streams.
Implement The Incentives for Job Makers Act, creating a clear and direct set of benefits for new businesses to establish in Bermuda, bringing with them new jobs and new opportunities
Designating a segment of BLDC land as an “Economic FREE Zone.” Targeting global businesses such as high value physical commodity trading and satellite operations, with incentives such as payroll and other tax exemptions.
Leverage our Telecommunications reform and IB infrastructure to introduce global online gaming legislation, online gaming being a 35 billion per year industry
Five of these proposals will directly create jobs, and equally important, generate revenue for the public purse that will help offset our deficit, and reduce our debt. In addition, we must create new markets, tap into existing ones, and compete. We must link our people with the Caribbean, Latin America, Africa and the Far East, breaking the shackles of the past, and creating new economic paradigms.
Even if we make these things a reality, we can no longer look exclusively to the existing business community to solve our problems, provide employment for us, or give us a livelihood. Now is the time for us to adjust our thinking, become innovative, and begin to look at ways to create opportunities for OURSELVES. We must change the consciousness of our people, from one that says “government must,” “IB must,” and so on, to one that says, “I must, and I will”!
Saving and investment are the basis of job creation and wealth, not governments. Saving represents deferred consumption… a real sacrifice that ultimately creates future prosperity and greater financial freedom for you and your family. That saving can then be used to spur entrepreneurial growth, especially for government workers potentially facing being made redundant. How will you spend your redundancy pay? Will you take a trip and just squander it? Will you just let it sit in your bank account, and watch it slowly dwindle away as you look for a job that may never come? Or will you take command of your destiny, use your mind to create, and do for self?
Government can help, by putting the same energy and effort for reducing red tape and creating red carpet for local entrepreneurs, as they have for hotels and international business. Removing restrictions that hinder entrepreneurship will expand opportunities for our people to cooperate, compete, contribute to our economy in a meaningful way, and feed their families. Just imagine, being free to sell food, cold drinks, homemade items, souvenirs…. or whatever you can create, to the thousands of cruise passengers as they come off the ship, or to the thousands of visitors who enjoy our beaches. Just imagine, being able to be your own boss, the master of your own destiny, providing for your families, and enhancing our tourism product with new options for our visitors. Just imagine that we the people become the essence of our tourism product! To become a reality, we will have to change our mindset, and the government and other special interest groups will have to stop being an obstacle to this new form of entrepreneurship. If the government is unable or unprepared to help entrepreneurs, then they MUST refrain from impeding their dreams and efforts to provide for themselves.
Whether it is through expanding training opportunities……building support networks to address the various issues that prevent our people from getting the necessary education or qualifications, or through expanding the economic support for entrepreneurs…..we must get our people to become self-sufficient.
We must educate our children about themselves, giving them knowledge of self, our shared history, culture and heritage. Develop their self-esteem, self-confidence and self-worth alongside the instruction in reading, writing and ‘rithmatic. Then, we must begin to cultivate a culture where the desire to be excellent producers, excellent employers, and excellent leaders, is preferred, as opposed to being excellent consumers. We must teach them to be producers of their own employment, or at the very least, being as productive as possible in their employment.
It is only through Bermudians learning to cooperate with each other to compete on the global economic scale that we can begin to break down the resentment, powerlessness, dependency, and dysfunction that currently holds many of us back, places a burden on society’s resources, and on our relationships with each other
Today, more and more Bermudians are embracing a mindset of entrepreneurship, self-sufficiency, and wealth accumulation. This is not something to be afraid of. This is not something to be fought or undermined. This is something that must be embraced and supported. And if you cannot support it, do not interfere with it. We can come together as a people. We can have better social relations, and we can have an economy that works for all of us. The work must begin, within ourselves.
Thank you for giving me the opportunity to speak with you tonight. To the people who are unemployed, underemployed or financially struggling, please know that you are constantly in my thoughts and in my prayers. It is difficult to wake up every day, with no job to go to, and a continual fight to provide for your family. Please know that we will do everything we can to help you and our country get on its feet again, but I want you renew your minds and use your god given talents to shape you and your family’s destiny. Take the lead, cooperate, and compete.
Thank you and God bless the people of Bermuda
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8:37 of my life wasted watching this.
Ha, you should be ready for the grave after having to endure 16 mins of your photo opp premier mindless drivel !
Hey Marc, didn’t you have over a decade to introduce a gaming referendum? Why the sudden hurry? Oh yeah, because you are in opposition and have no ideas. Pathetic, D minus, must try harder.
Sorry you have one, scouring the sea beds. That might work, you have excelled in mining the depths.
Clowns.
New Leader. New vision.
Well your life must be a waste, that’s the most productive thing ive heard in 7 months. Mark Bean for Premier.
That was the best plan I’ve heard in the last 7 months hands down. The truth is we need to face the facts about this island.
Abolishing term limits and providing low class cruise liner jobs just ain’t cutting it. I still don’t see how the OBA are going to create the 2,100 jobs.
The gaming referendum definitely needs to happen, even the waterfront designs incorporate casinos.
You all are dreamers. Had the PLP done anything he said, even in the last year before the election, then they would have won. I was one of the unemployed now underemployed (and still am)because of his parties polices and garbage. All you blind sheeple that still believe the PLP had your back….yeah…lol..keep on believing.
Have you asked the OBA about the 2,000 jobs they promised.
How can you blame the PLP for the global recession? Government doesn’t control the economy. Have you taken an economics course?
If I remember correctly before the global recession and during the PLP’s time in government, our economy flourished.
I hope we have a constructive ‘debate’ about the merits of his presentation. We could start with one of his main points. Do governments create jobs or not? Leader Bean says no. If he is wrong let’s show him how he is wrong. If he is right (and many will say that he is), then OBA have a problem since they campaigned on a promise to create 2,000 jobs!!
Let the debate begin!!
UM 2,000 plus, how many people have lost their jobs since Dec.17 and counting!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Not sure how many lost their jobs, but I can tell you that the loss of jobs has definitely slowed down since the PLP was ousted. Business are still suffering, tourism still down.
I for one am willing to give the OBA one year and a half to see signs of a turn around. Keep in mind that tourism figures would be expected to be down this Summer since a certain former minister neglected to sign a contract allowing one of the major cruise ship companies to take their business elsewhere.
It will take time to heal and get things turned around.
The Government has created a lot of jobs….Andrew Brooks got a nice one in April…100k a year..
…so you think job losses started on Dec 17th do you? You should make an effort to post something meaningful.
Nonsense.
He says gov’t doesn’t create jobs – yet look at the bulging civil service created under the PLP.
8:37 OF REALITY BUT YOUR SORRY OX WONT KNOW IT IF IT HIT YOU IN THE OX,To Mr Bean I may not agree with everything you speak at times but thanks for speaking reality and truth.
Raw onion when you take your foot out of your mouth and speak reality,let me kindly say on behalf of others, you are in a dream world with no clue to just how serious we need to stand together as a people,even if it means the O.B.A taking advice from the P.L.P on initiatives that can actually do us all some good.
Didn’t sound like he even believed in what he was reading.
The whole idea about selling homemade products is stupid. One thing that a lot of tourists say is that they love Bermuda over the other islands because we are more traditional. I’m glad the PLP is not in charge anymore because we would have gone down the drain for sure.
The most significant thing he said was “Gord Blass”. I guess their plan is that “Gord” will be getting us out of this mess.
Forgive him for being bermubian, i know these days you oba/ubp folk are against those type people !
Lol this comment is great and you don’t even realize why. Bermuda is in so much debt… Now how does ‘being for’ Bermudians help with that problem? See the bigger picture you tool.
How can you make fun of a Bermudian accent? You are a fool. Have you not realized that this is Bermuda.
Sorry, what would be mining the seabed for?
They’d be looking for all that satellite space ship business and all that islamic finance business. Those were the PLP big ideas a couple of years ago, right? I guess they’ve been forgotten by Bean.
You forgot about those Indian prescription drugs. We could make a killing!
That would only make money for Good old Dr. Brown and Minister Rolf C………………
LOL
we would mine the sea bed for all those valuable minerals that are covered by thousands of feet of coral. It would be the most expensive minerals ever mined in world history and would destroy our reefs, our fishing, our beaches, our tourism industry, but we would have some “jobs”…lol
And our defence against hurricanes
Interesting comments about mining the seabed. The idea has been endorsed by Dr. David Saul, a previous UBP Minister. Although not directly realted, a company that he has part ownership interest in has recently had a 99% recovery from a ship wreck!!
At the end of the day, it’s all about ideas. You either like the Govt’s ideas or the Opposition’s ideas. I do believe some ideas here are already being acts upon by the Govt however.
Oh and some of the text didn’t even make it into what was said. Which is right? The video speech or the text that was delivered to the press?
PLP can’t even get that right.
It says for TV the time constraints prevented the whole speech from being presented but in writing I want to give you the complete message.
@ muzumbo I agree with you Marc Bean for premier.
I agree
@ Sandy bottom get off of that race horse.
Where’s that islamic finance that was going to save the economy? Oh, that was last year’s PLP idea.
Obviously the text is longer and they had to edit it to fit within the broadcast rules. You know there are rules involved right? Anyway, I thought the speech was very good, positive, and it provided ideas that the common man like myself can relate too. Marc Bean is a very good leader. But I must admit, he presented some things that are not usually associated with the PLP. A freethinker is what I like about the man, and I also appreciate his frankness. As for our current Premier and his team, they are no match for Marc Bean and the new PLP!
And that’s the truth Ruth!!!!!!!!!!!!
My sentiments exactly…
The PLP can talk the talk but when it comes to walking the walk they’re a bunch of cripples. Take action!!!
If you PLP supporters cared at all about your country, you would stop bashing the OBA and let them try to fix things… That is how the system works. PLP had their turn.
absolute load of bollocks and trivel spewed out beanos mouth tonight
Did anyone else notice that he gave six inititives but stated that five of them would create jobs? Which one is the white elephant?
I noticed also. Using common sense, I think it’s the referendum on gaming. A referendum cannot create jobs, as it may be a NO vote. The other 5 clearly would create jobs. The OBA would be wise to read Marc Bean’s speech tonight and take his advice for our islands sake, instead of the usual personal attacks that are the norm on these blogs.
I just read the Premiers speech from a few days ago, and again, the difference and gap between himself and Marc Bean is obvious. The Premier reminds me of a bad actor who is in training, while the Opposition Leader is very much a deep thinker who speaks from the perspective of helping the average person. To be honest, I cannot recall a leader prior to Marc Bean who has provided a vision of self empowerment, UBP, PLP, or OBA.
Beans speech was a load of bollocks. Online gaming? Sea bed mining? These “ideas” are supposed to “create jobs”? How many mining companies have been lining up to explore Bermuda’s sea bed for minerals? And if they did, how many Bermudians know how to work on an oil rig? How many locals are high-value commodities traders, another one of his suggestions?
OBA people only know the tickle down way, that’s why you would quickly dismiss online gaming and mining our 200nm seabed. Is not Dr. Saul the one who is an expert on this? But then again, you people don’t like him either. OBA people talk about selling citizenship and pandering to foreigners. What about us Bermudians? Do we just appease IB and wait for the crumbs? That’s why it seems you cannot appreciate Marc Beans vision, as it speaks to empowerment. It appears many of you want people to be dependent on YOU! Power and control?
Well you are more than welcome to go down to Dockyard and sell drinks and souveneirs to cruisers…
Way to think big for Bermudians!
“It appears many of you want people to be dependent on YOU! Power and control?”
So was the the stratigy behind the PLP’s civil servant hiring and full time ministers????????????
LOL
Ideas were put forward.
Your move, OBA and Anti-PLP People
Last night was the first time since Powernomics was written in 2001 that ANY Bda political leader has ever publically discussed about applying its principles in essence as the PLP’s leader did last night.
Thus, there is hope for Bermuda; the true solution will only come when both oba & plp pool their resources to make the Powernomics Principles a reality
other than the referendum on gaming it was a waste….he can never refer to anyone or anything as “Out of their depth” it was a strain to translate some of the gibberish…..jawbs? deep thinker? can’t be serious….mine that seabed….
And what does your so called Premier say in public…..?
What do you mean “so called”?
He’s our Premier. All of us.
Just ‘cuz you support a different party doesn’t change that fact.
Did you feel that way with Dr Brown?
Big difference here Dr. Brown told alittle under half the population to f’ o’f didn’t he. This Premier hasn’t even come close to telling those that don’t support him anything even like that. Dr. Brown thought he was invincible and carried on as such. He could have been a great leader but he wasn’t.
LOL Real leaders bring people together despit their differences Dr Brown only managede to bring like minded people together. “Counter Racists”, his term, still a racist.
A lot of the problem with the PLP in Government was not with ideas but rather with effecting them – and I see no reason to believe that this has changed. For instance, an economic free zone – an excellent idea, translation: more slop from second tier business for the PLP gravy train with no real benefit to Betmudians. Why not an EFZ for Bermudians to trade in?
OBA are not as intelligent as they think hey?
Yes they are when you are comparing them to the PLP
It is a shame that Mt. Beans predecessors did not know that Government does not create jobs.
If they did they wouldn’t have doubled he size of the civil service to levels that are unsustainable today. So any action in relation to the size of the Civil service will be down to the PLP’s actions while in power.
And why did it take two weeks to formulate this so called ‘response?’ It is the same stuff that he has been advocating for, for years. What are the economic benefits and environmental damages from sea bed mining? Has anyone shown any interest?
The government already said a referendum on gambling would be forthcoming as well.
Lastly, when the OBA instituted tax breaks for employers who hired Bermudians the PLP said that showed how the OBA was for businesses first and they hated the worker. And now the leader of the PLP is suggesting the same thing and all of a sudden it is a noble and innovative idea?
Politics truly does warp the mind.
Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha!!! Fourteen years late and $2.5+ BILLION short!!!!!
You PLP bie’s are gonna be sittin on de fence for a long time bie!!!
With all that fat from fourteen years of excess, them guys need a wall and not a fence to prop themselves up on.
@ Jus’ Askin’ You are absolutely right.
ok lets drop all the PLP/OBA crap and lets take our present governments words that they promised that they will create 2000…not 2 not 20 not 200 ..2000,, which could be 500 jobs per year for the 4 year term… so far it is July and we have not reached 500…where we lied to if not then lets show some facts and if we were lied to what are they doing to create jobs..
So lets stop all the BS of party pride, and deal with the real issue, we have a government and we have to hold them accountable and help them as well…so whats the answer?
You created that timetable, not them. You don’t get to hold them to a standard you created that has nothing to do with any claim they made.
Also, if we’re not at 500 (which, by your logic, they still have a few more months to hit), where ARE we at? You seem to know. How about showing us how many jobs HAVE been created?
mark is your middle name Be?? Because i am not holding them to a standard i am stating that they promised 2000 jobs and that they had a plan to implement 2000 jobs and we have yet to see even 500, and usually before an election is held its usually 4 years or 5 so i assume that 500 per year is reasonable but if by your standards they can do more then i am all for it.
We have a few more months left in the year and i am optimistic that they can achieve that goal and that they will deliver, but even in my optimism, reality doesn’t escape me, and if they find it hard to do 500 jobs a year than they sure as hell will find it difficult to do 2000 with in 4 years.
Which of course would mean that the OBA lied to us to get our vote and are not really concerned with providing 2000 jobs …if they are then lets see the plan that they swore they had before the election
“The One Bermuda Alliance said it would create 2,000 jobs over the next five years by “implementing pro-growth economic policies”
GOOD JOB MARK!
Beanbag called the OBA liars. Give them a chance..as you had 14 years.
He needs to apologize for calling them liars. APOLOGIZE!!
…and that from the protege of Mr. “We had to lie to you.”
@ Concerned Citizen
Awesome
What planet does Marc Bean live on and what election is he running for? Your well prepared plan is just a bit too late Mr Bean!!!!!!!!! Please commit to helping the OBA get on with the peoples’ work!!
You ask what planet he’s living on and then beg for his help. LMAO
I just love Mr. Bean’s idea of “entrepreneurs” being able to provide food for cruise ship passengers. After all, food stays nice and fresh while sitting around in the heat for a day or more. They’d make a killing until the first food poisoning cases and resulting lawsuits…oh but wait….the little stalls would just up and steal away and continue the time honored Bermudian way of no accountability or responsibility for one’s actions. I want to see a photo-op of Mr. Bean being the first to sample foods displayed for tourists in those little stalls.
Rather Third Worldish, if you ask me. Perhaps we should throw on some grass skirts too.
Absolutely amazing…”an all of a sudden – found Jesus, free market economy, campaign style speech” from the Leader of Opposition Progressive LABOUR Party 7 months after an election clearly implying that his own former “Labour/BIU Govt.” got in the way of economic growth & progress and was incapable of getting rid of red tape and creating an environment condusive for economic growth and recovery. I would suggest that a massive show down is looming between Mr. Bean’s camp and the hard core labour side of this “supposed Labour Party”. Dame Lois must be spinning in her grave…
SEA BED MINING ?! This is bush fullishness. Has anyone asked any of the Biostation scientists who have been studying the ocean around Bermuda for over 100 years? If they have, they’d know that it’s a joke! The nearest deep sea vents are hundreds of miles beyond your EEZ. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deep_sea_mining LONG LINE FISHING? Tried it. Failed. The only long liner here has been attached to the dock like a suckrock for ages. AQUACULTURE? Who are we going to sell the fish to? How can we compete with Southern and Yankee fishermen who can feed, grow and deliver fish to major markets for a fraction of our costs?
If we really want to kick start the economy we should attract people with money! We should give people PRC and status in return for major long-term investments in Bermuda assets and jobs. Some of those insurance execs wouldn’t have been so quick to send jobs overseas if they and their kids had status and weren’t treated like unwelcome aliens.
Garbage!
Some good ideas, but only a few are actually achievable. Politically he is painting a pie in the sky for the voter to think the impossible is possible. In reality, there has to be very capable management in the background to implement changes to the economy. The PLP had their chance and proved that they were upto the task. His point about Improvements to infrastructure is massively off mark as it would require a large amount of funding from the Government, which we all know is not available due to our debt levels and the tax revenue suckling civil service.
The whole thing about investors privately admitting is complete bull. Let’s be realistic, no one of significant wealth and high net worth who is a high profile investor is talking to Bean or anyone within the PLP. Unless it is Ewart, in that case maybe he could invest some of the money he took from us back into Bermuda.
Most important points are Gaming and offshore gaming. They need to tackle this head on and they need to do it now! – a good point and I am glad that the opposition are putting pressure on the government.
Most of us do have a clue!
Is anyone else as weirded out by Marc Bean’s weird conservative, libertarian streak? Especially for a leader of a Labour party?