PLP: Cannot Build With Ideas From Last Century

April 23, 2014

“The governing OBA promised Bermuda 2,000 jobs, yet in their first year as government, total job losses stand at 1,166,” Shadow Finance Minister David Burt said today [Apr 23].

Saying “we cannot build an economy for the future with ideas from the last century,” Mr. Burt said we “must look forward and be bold,” mentioning possible steps such as online gaming, reducing unnecessary regulation and establishing a Bermuda Fund to attract new job creating industries.

A recently released report indicated that Bermuda’s employers reported a loss of 1,166 jobs last year, with 34,277 jobs counted in 2013, compared to 35,443 in 2012. In addition, the number of business entities in the Bermuda job market contracted from 4,391 in 2012 to 4,130 in 2013, a reduction of 261 entities.

The number of Bermudian jobholders fell from 25,132 to 24,504, while non-Bermudian jobholders declined by 494 jobs between 2012 and 2013. This was the fifth consecutive year of job declines and the lowest number of filled jobs recorded since 1995.

Chart extracted from the report:

Job chart 14

Mr. Burt said, “The employment statistics released yesterday should be alarming to all who call Bermuda home. The governing OBA promised Bermuda 2,000 jobs, yet in their first year as government, total job losses stand at 1,166. This is horrific news from a government who campaigned on the slogan “JOBS!’.

“The past year has seen companies repeatedly put profits before people, feeding shareholders’ pockets rather than employees mouths; laying Bermudians off to be replaced either by cheaper foreign labour, or outsourcing the job overseas.

“Meanwhile, we see International Businesses report record profits, while local companies are eliminating longstanding benefits on which their Bermudian employees rely. The sacrifice being felt in Bermuda has not been shared equally.

“The sacrifice seems to be limited to one segment of the population, the Bermudian working class. These job losses put mortgages and students’ education in jeopardy and erode the hope of our people.

“The OBA is totally disconnected from the hurt and pain being felt by many Bermudians during this time, especially those who placed their trust in the OBA to govern our country. While the Premier talks about incomes on the rise – more and more Bermudians continue to work more for less, seeing hours cut, and are struggling to make ends meet.

“While the Premier talks about record number of company incorporations, his own statistics show that 261 companies closed down last year. These 261 businesses that closed last year left Bermudians struggling to find alternative employment, and drove them toward the United Kingdom and the United States looking for work options.

“The OBA’s mandate of change has been squandered and the people of this country have been betrayed by their lack of action and consistent focus on only what is best for business. Bermuda’s survival depends on this Government getting it right.

“The bold action they promised the people has been non-existent. Turning the clock back to 1980s and 90s policies of crossing one’s fingers and hoping to win a beauty contest of offshore jurisdictions is not cutting edge enough to stimulate our economy.

“We cannot build an economy for the future with ideas from the last century, we must look forward and be bold.

“This is why we have called for immediate action on online gaming; immediate action on alternative energy investments; immediate action on freeing up local industry from unnecessary regulation, which is stifling the creativity of our entrepreneurs; and the establishment of a Bermuda Fund to attract new job creating industries to our shores,” concluded Mr. Burt.

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  1. Lord_High_Lord_SCUFFINGTON says:

    …pops another BIG bag of PopCorn…awaits the second show to begin any minute now…

    • inna says:

      go do some work and contribute to society!

      • Nancy says:

        Thanks Minister Burt, you have highlighted some key facts. “The governing OBA promised Bermuda 2,000 jobs, yet in their first year as government, total job losses stand at 1,166. This is horrific news from a government who campaigned on the slogan “JOBS!’.”

        I do see Non-Bermudians hired in certain job position, which could have been filled by a qualified Bermudian. This is not a good look or direction to take. This suggest the government has not put jobs on the agenda for Bermudians first. I know as I feel the pain of a job loss.

        There seems to be non-Bermudians in certain semi-skilled and skilled job categories as well which could be filled by Bermudians. There must be a more serious attempt by the OBA to fill those positions with Bermudians, and ensure that our people are working as they promised pre-election. This so far looks like they have failed.

        What is most alarming to me is that:
        “Meanwhile, we see International Businesses report record profits, while local companies are eliminating longstanding benefits on which their Bermudian employees rely. The sacrifice being felt in Bermuda has not been shared equally.”

        Government continues to give benefits to the big business sector via no taxes etc., yet the small man is forced to payout. The small man is made to take on the heaviest burden, despite these companies raking in large profits as they have reported. Where is the government conscious on this fact?

        I am growing vary of the OBA government, as I see no real plan by them to ensure jobs or create jobs for us Bermudians who are hurting. I know, as I am one of those Bermudians whom are hurting big time.

        Lets not get into the a game of blame, as the government of the day is the OBA, whom promised me pre-election, what they would do. So far I have yet to see anything that meetings their promises. “Them that know it, feel it”

        • Joe Public says:

          Look at it this way. The PLP lost 2000 jobs over their 14 years. The OBA lost 1100 in 18 months. I wonder what the next 12 years will bring from the Promise Makers.

          Premier Cannonier you better hire 3 more consultants the ones that you have now need help.

          • Steve Biko says:

            That’s what Bermudians get for being Kind, Polite, Courteous and Passive.
            The thing worst than rebellion is the thing that causes rebellion !!!!!!!!!
            Frederick Douglass

            • Mike Hind says:

              Kind, polite and courteous do not equal passive.

              You can have manners and civility without being passive.

              That’s the problem. Some folks don’t seem to get that.

              • Robert says:

                Why dont you **** off mike !!!!!

                • Mike Hind says:

                  Case in point.

                  Nothing I said in my post warrants a response like this.
                  Instead of trying to have a conversation, “Robert” chose profanity and aggressiveness.

                  He’s one of the people that doesn’t seem to understand that civility and manners are important.

                  Sad. Our island deserves better than this.

        • Kangoocar says:

          Nancy???? Hahahahahaha nice try betty!!!! Yours and your plp propaganda machine will never stop your nonsense will you??? No matter how hard you try, you should know by now that you can’t get up early enough in the day to fool me!!! Please stop your nonsense because as I always tell you, your actions are not helping to get us out of the sh1t your party put us in!!!!

          • Nancy says:

            Maybe you are sitting pretty, but this matter is serious to me. NO JOB, so I am suffering now. Get over your political attacks, and push your government to find JOBS for Bermudians. I do not know Betty, but if that is someone you like to call out, that is your game, not mind as this is a matter that is having serious impact upon my life. Lets not belittle this serious situation, as many are impacted by reason job losses.

            • BETTTY TRUMP says:

              Well said Nancy… I am looking for the JOBSJOBSJOBS as well !!

        • Betty Dump says:

          You can’t hide that piss poor grammar Betty… Will you stop with your constant anti-oba propaganda? You don’t support them… that is your choice… will you please stop in your pathetic attempt to derail our island home? Here’s a suggestion… try being part of the solution

          • BETTTY TRUMP says:

            Thanks Nancy for your comment, I do understand your concerns. The reality is the OBAubp folks will do whatever it takes to discredit anyone whom shares the same views as myself…..>>>>> It is their only means a dead campaign to support their government, even when the government is doing wrong. Kangoocar always says someone is Betty, whenever they write a comment that he believes is liken to my thoughts. REALLY…he and folks like him need to accept that others share similar or same views…REALLY….there is a growing change taking place in Bermuda…folks are waking up …now…the new awakening…. it is killing the diehard blindfaithfulness OBAubp supporters….

            I am currently down under again for a few weeks, not much time to write. So I hope you continue to write and share your thoughts. Do not be put off by such folks whom only purpose it to down the Former government. Stand strong. Do not get into any non-debate with them it is not worth the time, nor effort.As real issue here is the OBAUbp has failed on JOBSJOBSJOBSJOBSJOBSJOBSJOBSJOBS and more JOBSJOBSJOBSJOBS…>REALLY

            State your comment.

            • Keepin' it Real!...4Real! says:

              stop looking for jobs and create a business so that you can hire everyone that is jobless…simple solution…stop crying and do something…oh also OBA got elected for some reason…and i believe it was because the PLP lost the faith of the people, so WHY would you want to put them back in power..? what miracle has taken place to make them any better than they were..? and if you didn’t vote, then YOU have no VOICE so sshhhush!

          • BETTTY TRUMP says:

            The sad thing is that Kangoocar and others like him continue to promote and write comments that reflect what they want to call others out for doing….the are more guilty of falling down on a bad campaign of dishonesty, hypocritical nonsense than anyone. ….please look in the Mirror….. They BLIND TO IT… PLEASE STOPLOOK. with your constant anti-PLP propaganda?

            It is clear that the group of OBAUbp bloggers whom do not support the PLP … that is your choice…BUT please for real…STOP with your pathetic attempt to derail our island home and demean folks whom do support the PLP? Here’s a suggestion… try being part of the change that was promised and not part of the problem. ….

            I hope and often pray that they will try to be apart of the solutions as well if it not too difficult for them, rather than derail others and bring down Bermuda. Their anti PLP propaganda is a real joke. I will continue to pray for such folks, and hope BDA can move forward for the good of Bermuda.

            Thank God, Folks are growing more aware of the same bloggers such as Kangoocar, Hinds, and someone whom attempts to use the name as similar to me Betty Dump…just the name tells you what these individuals are up too…. really

            • Steve Biko says:

              Vote for JOBS
              Vote for CHANGE
              SUCKERS
              LMFAO

              • ya right says:

                The OBA tricked the masses into believing the hype. Now we all know we were all brain washed. The OBA sold everyone a dream – instead of diamonds we got rocks.

                We are all doomed living on this island. These politicians can’t save us. The only thing they are good at is pointing blame.

                Jobs will continue to be lost, raw sewage will continue to be dumped in our waters, and grease balls will continue to wash up on our shores. Our tourism industry is fading and the IB companies will leave us.

                • Mike Hind says:

                  You misspelled PLP

                • God 1st says:

                  Neither Government is going to help you,you must help yourself, politicians are unethical on both sides. Leave these parliamentarians alone their is big money to be made in Bermuda.

                • God 1st says:

                  *typo There is big money to be made in Bermuda.

        • Raymond Ray says:

          I also agree Nancy, there are far too many jobs held by a group that aren’t anymore skillful at the job they hold down than any Bermudian but the,(or part of the problem) is the Bermudian fails to accept the wages that are paid out to the foreign workers…Now if a Bermudian applied for and was hired but didn’t get enough pay to make ends meet then they can go for and be given some form of financial assistance from the Govt. of the day; but again too often, “our own fleas bite the hardest” by saying, “I ain’t working for dat loo bit of money” and they complain about others here doing that job and are content with the wage/s they’re receiving for doing said job/s.

      • Tired of the Ignorance says:

        Sounds like he has been very busy. When MP Burt doesn’t say or produce what you or the OBA want to hear (the truth), you’re quick to attempt to shut him down. Unfortunately for both you and the OBA, MP Burt checks than re-checks his stats so he is spot on.

        E. David Burt, MP, thank you for your contribution to the Bermuda society.

  2. Al says:

    What a joke.

    He wants to “free up local industry from unnecessary regulation”… that’s what the OBA has been doing and the PLP have been fighting it every step of the way.

    Who do you think created the “unnecessary regulation”?

  3. somuchless says:

    Just give back what your party took durning their time in power and that would help out so many.

  4. Navin Johnson says:

    The real question Mr Burt should be “can Bermuda ever recover from the damage that the PLP caused?”…

    • Hmmmmm says:

      Damage to which of the two Bermudas? Because one Bermuda just declared $11 billion in profits for 2013. I thought the OBA’s philsophy was when that Bermuda does well we all do. What happened? Someone not get the memo?

      • Navin Johnson says:

        There is only one Bermuda the 11 billion is worldwide profit and that translates into jobs and rents for Bermudians…at least it did until Cox raised taxes and drove the final nail in the coffin that Brown and Burch tried to destroy

        • Hmmmmm says:

          If there’s only one Bermuda then explain why I pay payroll tax without any breaks whatsoever and several businesses in the private sector that have laid of people, don’t need tax breaks or pay dividends from their tax savings don’t pay any or pay reduced payroll tax.

          “worldwide profits” ? What kind of propaganga is that? They’re called “The Association of BERMUDA Insurers and Reinsurers”. So when they fail it has everything to do with Bermuda and it’s awful PLP Government; but when they succeed, it’s “worldwide profits”. oh ok…. Besides housing and a low-skilled labour force (apparently) what else does Bermuda provide that made them choose to be here?

          • Navin Johnson says:

            ACE ,for example, is a member of ABIR yet a fraction of their business is conducted here though they continue to have a viable presence….I have no idea what you are talking about but do feel that your PLP did everything to make business feel unwelcome so many either left or made the Bermuda operation take a back seat to the rest of the world……more of the 11 billion would have stayed here if the PLP was never on power…..

        • Robert says:

          Wow, how very narrow minded of you !!!

    • Tired of the Ignorance says:

      Yes, we can and will, but it will take silencing ignorant people such as yourself. You are a pompous ass!

  5. North West says:

    Really? It does not matter which party is government. This decline is not a political dilemma. If the PLP were still in control the same or similar declines would be happenning because of the economy. I must say that the OBA did make a huge mistake when they promised to make good on something like the increase in jobs, when they knew it was not realistic at the time.

    • Navin Johnson says:

      I doubt that the OBA knew the extent of the problem until they got elected and had a chance to look under the hood….some may forget that Paula Cox was always referencing improvements and turning the corner and green shoots all the while our finances were spiraling out of control…certainly the OBA has made mistakes and Craig Cannonier is not Grant Gibbbons but the hand they were dealt was anything but good….no one In the PLP has been willing to acknowledge what they did and they babble on about what they would do now…shame they don’t disband like they wanted the UBP to do for me would be better off without them….

    • OBA/UBP says:

      The Man will say anything to win a brothers vote. Even change their name. That whole party is wearing flip flops.

    • Tired of the Ignorance says:

      Well said!!

  6. check says:

    “The governing OBA promised Bermuda 2,000 jobs, yet in their first year as government, total job losses stand at 1,166,” Shadow Finance Minister David Burt said today [Apr 23].

    lets at least be accurate here.

    1,166 jobs were lost during the last 3 months of the PLP’s tenure and the first 9 months of OBA’s tenure.

    Let’s also be realistic here. I would like to see 2000 jobs created during their term. I do not know whether that will or will not happen. However, I do have enough common sense to know things don’t change overnight. I also know enough about economics to know that economic policies take a while to have an effect.

    Am I satisfied with OBA’s performance. Not particularly.

    They don’t seem willing to make the unpopular decisions which won’t particularly help. They shouldn’t have kept Lamb Foggo open. I am from St. David’s and I have used it several times. However, if I have a heart attack at 1 AM I still have to go to KEMH because Lamb Foggo isn’t open.

    Their PR could use some work too. They need to be accountable when they make mistakes. They seem to take accountability when there is enough pushback from the public (a slight improvement from the PLP) but they should just admit it from the start. People will respect them more.

    They need to make the necessary decisions whether unpopular or not. At the end of the day there are thousands of people on this island who wouldn’t vote for them even if they created 6000 jobs, reduced the debt to zero and gave every single Bermudian a house. So they just need to do whats best for the country and the economy. If they do that, they will do fine.

    Grow a pair

    • Terry says:

      If that’s what you want ‘Check’ then welcome the 60′s-70′s.
      There are other ways to deal with anarchy without approval stamping.
      See Middle East and the Baltics for example.
      Hell. USA.
      Shalom.

  7. seaweed says:

    Hmmm…

    Something did not quite add up when I read the article and compared it to the graph, so I got out a piece of paper, a blunt pencil and a $5 calculator. This is what I found…

    Between 2009 and 2013 a total of 5243 jobs have been lost, a 13% reduction.

    Between 2009 and 2013 about 2500 jobs have been lost by Bermudians, an 11% reduction.

    Between 2009 and 2013 about 3000 jobs have been lost by Ex-pats, a 30% reduction.

    In 2009 Expats represented about 25% of the workforce
    In 2013 Expats represented about 20% of the workforce

    It is clear the sacrifice is not limited to one segment of the community and it would appear that the Expats are proportionately bearing the brunt of the losses.

    Furthermore if we conservatively say every 10 expats directly or indirectly supports one extra job (not to mention pays 10 sets of rent)we can estimate that the loss of 3000 expats has resulted in the loss of 300 jobs, or 5% of the total job losses.

    Obviously every job loss is a personal tragedy and statistics do nothing to alleviate the struggle faced my so many. I myself was unemployed between May 2012 and March 2013 and know all too well the hardship, loss of dignity and uncertainty this creates. I hope we can find the solutions we so desperately need so we can all live with dignity and realize our full potential.

    • Doesn't add up says:

      The reality is that often the expats have not lost their job but been relocated to another low tax jurisdiction.

      • godson says:

        Exactly my thoughts,Many Bermudians were made redundant, while many ex-pats were relocated…

        • Al says:

          The jobs didn’t disappear they just left because the PLP drove them out.

          • Robert says:

            Dont be so f@#fing dumb, how in the hell did the plp drive folks out of bermuda ?!!!!

            • 32n64w says:

              For a start:

              Term limits
              Xenophobic attitude
              Increased taxation
              Lack of good governance and accountability
              Hostile political rhetoric

              That’s just a quick five in fifteen seconds.

            • Redo says:

              Are you kidding right now?

            • tfm says:

              Really? How? Paaaahhhahahaha: Divisiveness, hatred towards non bermudians, racisim…the list goes on. Where were you the last 14 years?? Under a rock?

            • Suzie Quattro says:

              If you you drop enough hints that you hate people they eventually act accordingly. As you found out.

    • Raymond Ray says:

      We all thank you for the inexpensive arithmetic lesson seaweed :-)

  8. Yahoo says:

    This is an epic fail by the OBA, even when compared to the bumbling PLP. At least the PLP was dealing with a global economic crisis… what is the OBA dealing with? Greaseballs? Fail, OBA, fail.

    • Unbelievable says:

      The PLP was not in any way dealing with the economic crisis. That’s why they lost the election. Get real for a minute please.

      This “grease ball” issue could have easily have happened with the PLP Govt – it was happening under their watch anyway. But who wants to deal with such a disgusting issue? What do even do with the stuff???? Even you couldn’t come up with a solution.

      • Yahoo says:

        As much as some people want to believe that Bermuda operates in a vacuum, the global economy does impact Bermuda. The crisis in 2008 resulted in many firms making a deep review of their operations – because revenues were not growing, the only way to grow/sustain profitability was to cut expenses.

        The biggest expense is people and when someone in Bermuda is doing a job for $100k and it can be done elsewhere for $50k, what do you think will happen? Bermuda is expensive and always has been but the crisis put a spotlight on it and companies were forced to react by making cuts.

        Further, if the greaseball issue was happening under the PLP government too, maybe they did a good job of keeping it out of the press? Wow, maybe we’ve discovered one thing the PLP did right??

    • Raymond Ray says:

      The tremendous debt left by the former Govt. Progressive Labour Party…Does that answer your question, “Yahoo”?

  9. swing voter says:

    “we cannot build an economy for the future with ideas from the last century,”

    I only wish this statement was made when I voted for change in 1998, and again in mid 2000s ;-(
    This commentator and others seemed more interested in Party allegiance back then.

  10. Lick My Chicken says:

    PLP how about you give me back my money from last century. hmmmmmmm.

    • I get the first Lick says:

      Why don’t you people give me back my money that you owed my ancestors working as slaves. We can go as far back as the Banks can take us.

      • tfm says:

        See – it’s those kind of comments that prove the only reaosn you are PLP is RACE.

      • Mike Hind says:

        Who owes?

        White people in general? Or just those who owned slaves?

        (In case you missed it, not all white people owned slaves.)

        So… who owes your ancestors?

  11. Unbelievable says:

    “Ideas from the last century”?

    For God’s sake, the PLP wants to stay in the last century. The PLP love the “struggle” they fought against the UBP and can’t let go of it. They’re a relic from the 20th Century.

    • Robert says:

      Obviously you know nothing about that struggle, either you are a white bermudian who wishes it never happened, and if it did you are ashamed or a black bermudian who has been bamboozled and hoodwinked into believing that it was all a misunderstanding. Either way, shame on you !!!!

  12. 1minute says:

    Bermuda was in freefall when the OBA came in. Even if you pull up straight away, you will continue to fall for a bit longer…

    Instead of constantly pick on the negative (things that the PLP fails with to start with), why don’t the elected officals work together to make a better Bermuda. The negative talk from the PLP is only hurting Bermuda. How deep in the hole do they want to put us?

    • Greed Killed Bermuda says:

      Negative Talk – That statement was measured.

      He pointed out facts and suggested alternatives. Its the oppositions job to contribute.

  13. GoodIdeaBadIdea says:

    Do you really think that just by changing the political party that it was going to make one bit of difference in the way that this train wreck was heading? We already saw the effects of the world wide economic downturn, the push by big business to globalize and consolidate which is still happening now and the PLP who rightly or wrongly spent lots of money when they should have been saving.

    This is all Bermuda’s fault, not one party or another. If the OBA / UBP / BDA had been in power during 2005-2009 would it have happened any different? Bermuda was high on the fumes of freshly minted money due to the high flying economy. It was easy to greenlight pie-in-the-sky projects. Sadly the plane ran out of gas and we’re still paying for the fallout of it.

    Obviously a simplified answer but I can’t see how the opposition or the public REALLY thinks that just by saying it that it would happen. We’re at the whim of the economy and the way people are doing business. It’s just sad that there’s nothing in the bank for our “rainy day”.

    • jt says:

      Whether you think world economic crisis…plp policies or both caused massive job losses what is clear is that poor fiscal management by the pkp and the associated debt and interest have but us in a poor position to do much about it.

  14. jt says:

    First priority has to be to deal with what exists – IB and Tourism. Ignoring these in the slightest to start on new and unproven ventures is foolhardy. Once these are set on a course towards recovering, then I agree completely with Mr. Burt – new initiatives need to be implemented. But priority one has to be sorting out the mess our main economic contributers were left in and anyone who thinks that is a quick fix doesn’t know much.

    • godson says:

      I Agree JT…I think its a battle of which pillar to prioritize…Focus on IB takes away from tourism, and vice versa…one good thing about Tourism, is that more people are directly affected. We can develope more entrepreneurs (through entertainment). IB have a limited amount of influence on the majority of “grassroot” Bermudians)….

      • Mike Hind says:

        I disagree. The two are symbiotic.

        IB provides the influx of money, tourism (as you pointed out) provides the jobs for Bermudians and cheap airfares.

        When BOTH are priorities, we prosper. This is time tested and proven.

        And IB has limited amount of influence, but has a massive effect on us.

  15. shutthemdown says:

    well, well, well the oba/ubp is failing

    surprise suprise

  16. Real Talk (original) says:

    A couple of things:

    1. The reality is that Bermuda, and by extension, Bermudians are unwilling competitors in an increasingly global economy. Protectionist policies serve only to further isolate our economy which is wholly reliant on external sources of revenue.

    We need to focus our efforts on identifying additional service-related sources of revenue beyond international business and developing a highlyu educated, competent workforce who are capable of competing globally for the job that this can bring.

    The government missed a huge opportunity by not developing an International Business College in Bermuda during early 2000s which by now would be churning out qualified individuals capable of sustaining the lucrative international reinsurance industry.

    2. I am curious as to Mr Burt’s solutions which call for the loosening of regulation. Certaily Mr Burt appreciates that we exist in an increasing highly-regulated environment… one in which government and regulatory oversight is increasingly. To be seen moving in the opposite direction would certainly be the death knell of whatever remnants of credibility we have left. As Bermuda struggles to shrug off the label of “tax haven” and prove that it has a regulatory infrastructure that is on par with other countries amidst claims of banking secrecy, money laundering, tax avoidance, etc, certainly becoming some sort of haven for online gambling would do irreperable damage. I don’t think pristine financial jurisdiction and online gambling can coexist…

  17. nuffin but the truth says:

    one of the many reasons the plp failed and became useless to Bermuda is their failure to understand things.

    classic example…OBA/ubp…there is NO such thing.

  18. J. Herald says:

    “We cannot build an economy for the future with ideas from the last century,” Mr. Burt said we “must look forward and be bold.”

    Well said Mr Burt. That’s why we voted PLP out.

  19. Coffee says:

    We need to be thinking along the lines of our economy as a renewable energy . We need renewed energy , our version of fossil fuel ; international business as we know it maybe on its last legs , if not that extreme then it certainly cannot support or sustain our economy . Nor could our current tourism model.

    If possible we need to merge our existing human intellectual capital with emerging economies such as Brazil and others . Bermuda was built on exploitation . How can we get on the ground floor of new world business concepts and offer them services in return for capital in our economy . Exploitation dressed in a suit without exploiting people .

    Islamic Financing , are we on the boat or did we miss the boat ? That is a question for Bob Richards . That is a question for Craig Cannonier . That is a question for Grant Gibbons . We need answers . We need jobs . We need security .

    • Sickofantz says:

      Sorry I am probably just thick. Could you explain what Islamic fundraising is? And what Bermuda could do with Brazil? I am not following you and need a little more info.

  20. Balanced Facts says:

    immediate solution of on line gaming? Really Burty Bliss! So that the gaming/ lottery racket run by the Opposition Leader and his convicted Bahamian Partner can be made to look right? OBA may not be great but it beats the PLP nightmare past and present hands down! Maybe get a leader with some credibility and your party will look better…until then…LOL!

    • Concerned Citizen says:

      Sounds like terry lister and one of his small band of haters. Or is it one of the two fools in the OBA, Wayne Scott or sylvan? Burt has provided a good statement….as usual. Talkng about Rackets, @balanced facts, care to explain Grant Gibbons and the clarion group cronyism and, or the Gibbons Bahamian business partners?
      I thought the OBA are the business minded folks…well, the capital g fiasco tells me otherwise!

  21. PANGAEA says:

    It is all about Bad Apples in the barrel.

    There is a very fine line running or even staying in business,many have gone under, in some instances profits these days are a thin as the skin on the rice pudding.

    Employers are not looking to see who they can hire, they are looking to get rid of and fire the bad apples in their barrel.

    So if you are sitting home watching ” The young and the restless” and feeling depressed and rejected, just think of how many days you took as “mental health days” and of your many planned “sick outs”, including 2 hour lunch dates.

    ” If the shoe fits “.

    If Bermuda wants to play on the world stage we all have to tow the line 9 to 5 don’t cut it any more.

  22. Mumbo Jumbo says:

    Plp talkin rubbish …you byes have a lot of nerve…talkin about job for Bermudians….seems to me…the only thing we were good for a few years back was washin dishes ,mopin a floor ,cleanin a toilet ,and landscaping….nice try you parasites……..”but no banana!”….only yah gooid foah is spendin our money as you see fit and to hell with us!…..get crackin!

  23. Mumbo Jumbo says:

    Dat is de only thing yah good for…that and iterjecting retro active legislation to steal private investment….say…just say it…i dare you…third party in a two part agreement is unlawful anywhere and everywhere in the world…you are no exception!

  24. bluebird says:

    The gentleman is a “DEMOGOGUE”
    Please google it if you do not understand.
    Under the PLP/BIU administration we “LOST” 6,000 expat jobs and 3,000 Bermudian jobs.
    And where is the PLP/BIU going to get all these “JOBS” ?? I bet from DETROIT.

    • Tired of the Ignorance says:

      BlueBird, here’s an idea, SHUT UP!!

  25. Ringmaster says:

    David Burt is calling on the OBA for immediate action on online gaming. However he has not said how many jobs this will create; what sort of jobs it will create; how long it will take to create these jobs and how much revenue will be generated and over how many years. It is easy to say “online gaming” but give the facts. He must know as he is calling for immediate action. Be transparent.

    • Concerned Citizen says:

      Did you listen to The budget debates. The PLP laid out the facts. Why didn’t the RG and other media report on it? Check online and see what Grant Gibbons and Mark Pettingill had to say about the issue. You OBA folk are truely pathetic and very ignorant. The PLP will return to government sooner then you think. Many of you, at that point, can leave. Bermuda doesn’t need you

      • 32n64w says:

        What facts? It was all hyperbole and vacuous pontificating.

      • Ringmaster says:

        There is a link in the article that takes you to Mr Burt’s contribution to the Budget debates on March 2. All he says is that it is a $35billion industry and references Gibratar. Where does he provide the facts to the questions that I raised and that would apply to Bermuda? Nowhere. By the way this is Bernews, not the RG.

      • Starting Point says:

        Did the PLP ‘facts’ indicate why they did not: introduce online gambling, fix the south shore sewage problem, bring down the debt, improve education, end conscription, amend human rights act, decriminalize MJ, build any new hotel complexes, maintain the ferries, maximize the use of Whites Island, and on and on and on.

        PLP is great at telling people what to do when they don’t actually have to do it lol. Also based on your assertion that supporters of the losing political party should leave as quote ‘Bermuda doesn’t need you’ …why are you still here?

  26. CommonSensenBda says:

    Burt’s job is to ensure that his leader came make millions of dollars from his supporters misery. After all, every person will make thousands, every day, and whem the PLP get their supporters to oust the OBA, there will still be no jobs unless they give every unemployed person a PRIME job in the NEW PLP Civil Service.And every Bermudian student (sorry Afro-Caribbean) will be fully funded for going away to college.

    Funny how all the things that “People’s Group are campaigning to have in their “Manifesto” is EVERYTHING the PLPbiu has been advocating since they lost the 2012 election.

    BRAVO PLP/BIU, BRAVO

  27. Kay says:

    The facts are that companies are downsizing and outsourcing not unique to BDA.They are interested only in their bottom line not the people they hire.We need not point finger at any party they do not have the ability to fix a global problem. Promise keepers do their best to think about everybody. There are people who have been told that more redundancies are eminent(FACT). Let’s not be fooled into thinking that any party has the solution for what is happening here. Greed never considers the average person.

    • Evie says:

      There is truly two Bermudas if you can afford to eat out look around n see who is getting served n who is serving you its a telling sign n scary as hell