Premier And PLP Leader On Protest & Airport Bill

December 4, 2016

“This is a good deal for Bermuda and we are prepared to debate it in the House as a vibrant democracy allows,” Premier Michael Dunkley said, while Opposition Leader David Burt reiterated his call for the “Government to delay debate on the airport bill and request the Auditor General to complete an independent review.”

The Premier also said, “What transpired in Bermuda last Friday was disheartening to see and unacceptable. Let me be very clear, I don’t condone the violence that occurred against our citizens and was deeply troubled by what occurred.

“In this regard I have requested to Government House and the Bermuda Police Service that an investigation into the events be conducted and a report be completed for the Government on what happened and why.”

In a separate statement, Mr Burt said, “Friday’s protests were the culmination of unprecedented unease due to the government’s misleading statements and lack of transparency surrounding the airport privatisation.

“The Premier must urgently address how and why riot police and pepper spray were deployed against Bermudians exercising their democratic right to peacefully protest.

“The blame for this dangerous escalation rests squarely on the shoulders of his government and I urge him, in the interest of peace, to immediately provide these answers to the voters of this country.”

Premier Michael Dunkley’s statement:

What transpired in Bermuda last Friday was disheartening to see and unacceptable. Let me be very clear, I don’t condone the violence that occurred against our citizens and was deeply troubled by what occurred.

In this regard I have requested to Government House and the Bermuda Police Service that an investigation into the events be conducted and a report be completed for the Government on what happened and why.

Our country is a democracy and no matter what our disagreements we must conduct ourselves in an appropriate manner.

Democracy means we listen, debate and vote in the legislature. Any threat to that process is a threat to our way of life, how we govern this country and basic decent respect regardless of party or position.

The inciteful, divisive rhetoric from the Opposition over the past week has no place in our country. Any leader that encourages demonstration and obstruction to our democracy is clearly not a leader that respects the democratic process which allows the business of the people to be conducted in the House of Assembly.

As a Bermudian this island and our people will forever be the most important place in my heart. Never once, despite politics, despite the insults, despite the lies that my family, colleagues and I have been subjected and have endured has this been doubted… even when my own life has been threatened because of all the inciteful and violent rhetoric.

This Government is always willing to communicate and dialogue with members of the Opposition and indeed all members of our community.

It is disturbing for the people of Bermuda that there are obstructionists that have put our beloved Bermuda into this position. Instead of moving forward for the country and allow a debate in the House they have incited violence, hatred and divisiveness within all of us.

Let’s focus on the facts. The airport is a simple matter of financing. Rather than take out additional mass amounts of debt on top of the already existing Government debt, we are financing it in a way that a specific company bears the debt and risk of the project.

The airport of Bermuda will always belong to Bermudians. It will not be privatized.

The new airport terminal, which is badly needed, will create jobs for Bermudians during construction and during the operation once construction is completed. It is a vital investment in our infrastructure and community.

This is a good deal for Bermuda and we are prepared to debate it in the House as a vibrant democracy allows.

The Government is always engaged in a democratic process. Will the Opposition continue to thwart democracy by not allowing the process to take place?

Bermuda deserves better.

Opposition Leader David Burt’s statement

Friday’s protests were the culmination of unprecedented unease due to the government’s misleading statements and lack of transparency surrounding the airport privatisation.

Following the disturbing events of December 2nd, Premier Michael Dunkley expressed doubt about the sincerity of my actions in pressing for good governance and transparency while he accused the Progressive Labour Party of “pulling this Government down and stopping Bermuda from moving forward.” These serious accusations cannot go unanswered.

The PLP has consistently demanded that the OBA government meet the highest standards of good governance. In the interest of transparency, we have requested full disclosure of crucial details of the OBA’s 30-year airport privatisation, including the Project Agreement and Lease.

We also asked the Government to delay debate on the airport bill and request the Auditor General to complete an independent review of the airport privatisation so that all MPs can understand the impact this deal will have on Bermuda’s finances.

It is a common sense request, and I would urge the government to reconsider its stubborn refusal of this suggestion in the interest of transparency and calm.

Additionally, the Premier must urgently address how and why riot police and pepper spray were deployed against Bermudians exercising their democratic right to peacefully protest.

The blame for this dangerous escalation rests squarely on the shoulders of his government and I urge him, in the interest of peace, to immediately provide these answers to the voters of this country.

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Comments (76)

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  1. Blind Sheep says:

    They are both playing you for fools.

    • News Flash says:

      The oba does not control the police.

      • Jus' Askin' says:

        Who Gave The Order?

        OBA and BPS HAD to be in some sort of Communications

        I REFUSE to believe the BPS acted on their own instructions

        When was the house initially scheduled to start?

        Why the riot police show up at the exact time they did?

        An Independent Investigation Team needs to be on this, Not BPS investigating BPS

        Vote UBA ~ United Bermuda Alliance
        “MAKE BERMUDA GREAT AGAIN”

      • Not exactly says:

        And Burt knows very well that the Government does not control the police. Also pepper spray was approved the then Government for use by individual police officers without further authorization in 2005.

  2. Onion Juice says:

    They’re in TOO DEEP in this S!@#, and want to drag the whole island in with on it. You and SpongeBob got played by city slickers and now you have egg on ya face you want the masses to buy in on it.
    You should’ve learned from JetGate.

    • question????? says:

      What was jetgate they never release the report. Jetgate never happened.

    • mark says:

      lol. who are you? the ironic thing is that your sentiments are exactly what the PLP and their political wings of the BIU and Peoples Campaign are doing and the people who will suffer the most are those marching! it will be interesting to see if their marching when the PLP is in power!

  3. ST says:

    Well done Premier Dunkley. An excellent and intelligent statement. So sad that we have a new leader of the Opposition who has started his path in such a hostile and unpleasant way. So much more could be done if he would worked with the Premier and actually focuss on what will help this island rather than focussing on winning points through the same old tactics. It must be so scary to have your life threatened and even more so having your family dragged into it, when all the work that the Premier does and the reason he has put himself out to serve the public is to help the island. I don’t understand how public servants who work so hard for the good of the island always has to take continual beatings. I understand if they are being corrupt but no one can say that our Premier has his hands in the cookie jar. He is a good man with a big heart and it’s time we start thanking him for all his hard work and all work together for a change.

  4. Disgusted says:

    David Burt got this wrong. Not fit as leader of the Progressive Labor Party let alone as a Premier. I’m all for freedom of speech and protesting but blocking democracy like that is not right. The World is watching. I understand international business is horrified.

    • NCM says:

      Burt was right out front blocking the Police and MPs from entering the House so, according to the Centre for Justice press release today, was in fact breaking the law. Will he be charged? It’s all on video.

      Not fit as Opposition leader and certainly not fit to be Premier of Bermuda.

    • Portia says:

      IB has no say over this at all.

      • Triangle Drifter says:

        You are wrong there. IB speaks with its feet & its wallet. Upset IB & IB is gone. Plenty other jurisdictions that would welcome IB with accomodating open arms.

  5. NCM says:

    This was nothing more than a politically motivated, divide and conquer PLP strategy that has been tried and tested and proven successful in the past.

    They wanted confrontation and are thrilled they got it. The protestors broke the law, the police overreacted and never should have pepper sprayed the crowd, the people’s business was prevented from being done – wrong, wrong, wrong on so many counts.

    We need this airport deal to get done. Move forward and have faith, OBA. The silent majority supports you!

    • Kathy says:

      You cannot move forward without the will of the people. Clearly there are a lot of people in Bermuda who are dead against this airport deal and for a true democracy to WORK we need to engage those people and sit down to discuss the deal and negotiate what is right for all Bermudians before it goes to the House.

      A lot is at stake here and we should not just bowl people down and say “We’re in charge. You elected us and we’re here to get the job done!” Without discourse, NOTHING will get done. And without discourse, the OBA is finished in the next election. You MUST engage the other side or we will be brought to our knees!

      In my opinion, highly controversial and important items like this and immigration reform and the transition to LNG should all be put to a referendum for the people to decide. When everyone gets a vote and a decision is made by the population, then that is much more acceptable than one party moving forward alone making all the decisions! It doesn’t work for the people and it certainly is not working for the OBA. The OBA MUST change its strategy and become engaged with ALL the people in Bermuda or we are finished!

      • Off De Rock says:

        I completely agree with much of what you said. However, I disagree that issues, such as this, should be put to referendum. That’s no way to run a country. I do think that bipartisan committees/commissions should be charged with looking at things like this and be given full access to all related information and make a recommendation to the elected officials.

        • Kathy says:

          Yes, no way to run a country indeed. However, we are a very small island in the middle of the Atlantic with a LOT of diversity and we have to learn to run this country so that the will of the people is ALWAYS respected. We cannot run this country like the UK runs (holding only 3 referendums in its history!).

          We cannot have one party in power and they ignore the will of the opposing side. Then another party takes over and they ignore the will of the opposing side. We are only creating division.

          We live in a time in which social media has created a resurgence of activism. We are a relatively small population. The OBA cannot ignore the will of the people and if they are smart, they will ask the people (ALL THE PEOPLE) what they want!

          If they engage in discussion and give the voting power to the people for highly controversial issues, we will have a government and a future that will be more likely to succeed. People will feel they have been HEARD!

          • Off De Rock says:

            Kathy, I hear you and agree the ruling party should be listening to the will of the people. Unfortunately, we know that many will not take the time to inform themselves about the details of issues and will likely cast uninformed emotional votes. We also can’t expect for our politicians to fully grasp complex issues such as immigration and the airport deal. Reading provided information, is one thing, but knowing what questions to ask is another. I actually don’t have an issue with referendums on social issues as people tend to vote their conscious, but the complexity of some issues requires a deeper dive that the lay person shouldn’t be expected to understand. The important element here is having a bipartisan committee/commission to look at these things so that both parties feel like they have a voice. “People will support what they help to create.”

      • Noncents says:

        @ Kathy

        I am sorry but it doesn’t work like that. You can’t have a referendum over every decision. The way that our democracy is set up, is we have a vote, the party that wins has a mandate to serve the people and the electorate has a chance to review their performance every 5 years. Is it perfect? No. But it is the system we have and should be respected. By blocking access to parliament, those individuals are not only impeding on the rights of our MPs, but also the rights of thousands of Bermudians who elected them to govern. Shame on them.

        Besides, do you understand the costs involved with having referendums. Oh right i forgot, the PLP dont care about costs and overruns.

    • Its me again says:

      The silent majoirty was a term coined by Trump supporters who where too afraid to admit their agreement with his policies and ideology. I think its time that OBA supporters stop using that word to describe the fact that they are the minority in this country.

      No matter how silent you guys are you’ll never be the majoirty.

      • Just the Tip says:

        How can a group that got the majority vote in the election be the minority?

      • mark says:

        living in your bubble does not make you right…you’ll see…and maybe you’ll learn how to spell!

      • Noncents says:

        @ Its me again

        except during the 2012 election when the people decided to elect the OBA to govern?

        Also you are wrong about who coined the term “silent majority” but lets not let the facts get in the way of a good story. Unfortunately, the PLP supporters have way more in common with the republican party and Trump than they would care to admit or even realize.

  6. Grassy one says:

    I thought the Auditor General already said that she couldn’t do an independant review? Burt is 100% wrong on this one. Stopping the House of Assembly?!! This is poor governance by the Opposition. Not shocked but had hoped for better.

    • Say Whaat? says:

      She’s scared of the good ol boys club, aka, the UBP, aka, the OBA. The auditor general can actually look into this deal, or the same commision investigating Brown and Port Royal can look into this deal. They have been told not to touch it. I wonder why?!?

      • mark says:

        are you thick? it is not in her power to review deals like this and she has already said that! stop drinking the cool aid for you and your children’s sake.

  7. Finance says:

    Why didn’t the protestor just allow access to Parliament?
    A simple and lawful request?

  8. Know it All says:

    Complete nonsense. Any active members of parliament, elected officials of a democratic process, should not be actively encouraging anyone to block physical access to any government property and disrupt the normal course of business. Never. Not once, and unfortunately, it’s twice now, with a 3rd attempt to come.

    On the race card that has been thrown on the table by the disruptive elements, please look at the full spectrum of events. Everyone was highly critical of how Trump won the presidency in USA by raising a racial undertone, primarily of the southern white America, yet, the front line elements here have done the EXACT same thing, just having white replaced by black. And the number of people that have said Buck Burrows is a freedom fighter!? Yes, there were travesties that lead up to why an execution was allowed given that it was banned and for that we can not change that part of history, only acknowledge that it was wrong.

    Yes it is a highly disappointing series of events that lead to police having to deploy pepper spray. However, know the officer and his role within the police, there is no doubt that this was justifiable based on his background. If people are disobeying lawful orders, use of force is permitted under the laws of the land, which is why police carry tools of the trade, that they do not want to use on any given day. Also, seeing the disrespect shown to Insp Clarke when he was listing the rules to abide by to senior PLP leaders, BIU leaders, and instead of listening, they sand over him. So a fool’s play of saying they never heard anything. The police gave a free pass last time in March, and rightfully, they weren’t going to just stand on the sidelines this time.

    On a flight back today, one individual decided that in front of women, tourists and children, that he would push past everyone waiting in the plane isle, then when challenged on what he was doing, unleashed a verbal diareah towards a 70yo woman at first, which included threats of shootings, and fighting outside the plane. When other passengers came to her defense, this continued except far worse. 

    Then, why is the BIU leader now acting as a political arm, demanding that the speaker of the house step down. You represent a union, which you have transformed into a shouting gallery to further motives that are not at the heart of a union mandate. If you want to be a political, quit and sign up to be an MP.

    This is the environment that has been created to purely benefit a political party. Allow free movement for everyone within government property and do the job you are elected to do, not circumnavigate laws of the land for political capital. 

    This is not a race issue, so there is no white supremacy as Burgess has stated. There is a small minority that are trying to overthrow the ruling government before an election for their own self gratification and are using any tactics they can. Let’s grow up and be adults.

  9. One time says:

    Burt is so disingenuous. He escalated this and now these serious death threats against the Premier are on him. He can pretend otherwise by it’s true.

    The OBA is trying to do the right thing but the islands recovery is being threatened by the very party who deepened the recession through their mismanagement.

    I’ve followed this and th hospital PPP and they are very similar but this one has had way more disclosure and transparency. Documents on the hospital are still secret. Burt can have his own opinions but kit facts.

    He lies that this is being privatised when he himself was pushing privatization as a Government senator.

    Does he have no shame. When will he put country before his ambition?

    • Say Whaat? says:

      Hospital was put out to tender.

      • Spectator says:

        No, it wasn’t. The development of the PPP for the ACW followed a different process.

  10. LostinFlatts says:

    “The blame for this dangerous escalation rests squarely on the shoulders of his government and I urge him, in the interest of peace, to immediately provide these answers to the voters of this country.”

    A bigger man, a better man would look inward at his own actions, his own instigation and what it led to. I had genuinely hoped we’d see a better Burt come out of this. Not just a political gamesman, but a statesman.

    I’ve been following Bermudian politics for a long time, and that final paragraph makes me more sick than anything I’ve seen through the past 20 years. Because I understand pay for play, I understand wanting to even the score and I understand petty people performing petty actions.

    But Burt is not being petty. He is being far more dangerous than that. He is playing politics at a time when people are being hurt, he is playing a game with the peace on this island. He is encouraging civil disorder because he wants to win at his game.

    It is, in my opinion, utterly, utterly disgraceful. I had hoped beyond hope that there might be a statesman behind the rhetoric. That the likely future leader of this country is someone who actually cares for Bermuda, rather than just of his desire to run it.

    These are the words of one that takes no responsibility for his own actions, threatens the leader of his own country with violence and does nothing to settle the tensions we can all feel. What kind of man does that? Certainly not one I would ever want as my premier.

  11. Know it All says:

    #freeparliment
    #doyourjob

  12. NO MORE WAR says:

    To those that say the protestors were violent simply because they were obstructing the entrance to parliament and that they should be arrested. I say shame on you. Because someone breaks the law doesn’t mean they are violent. You can peacefully break the law and I do not believe that people should be pepper sprayed as a result. Too many times I see the court slap defendants on the hand for violent offenses. So how on gods earth would a court do anything more than slap these protesters on the hand whom by all accounts do not have a criminal record. I think the police were wrong to escalate the situation to appease this gov which I unfortunately voted for.

    • Joe Riders says:

      Breaking the law is not right. Even if you do it peacefully.

      • Say Whaat? says:

        Then I wouldn’t be able to vote. Maybe that’s how you want life, right Joe?

        • mark says:

          what a terrible analogy and so disrespectful to those who came before. we are talking about the airport deal, not a fundamental human right like the ones that are being denied by these same protesters who are against immigration reform and marriage equality. ironic, isn’t it?

    • Know it All says:

      Police had been asking the blockade from early morning to move. They disregard. Police issued final order to move, which was answered by the group singing, hence ignored. The PSU team tried to march through, but there was push back and hence ignored. As that method was ineffective, additional force was required, which is a direct result of the non compliance of the members there. So the escalation of force was a result of an unlawful gathering that was in breach of several laws of the land that have upheld our democratic process. Plain and simple and police will and are permitted to use force, when necessary and propitiate, to effect the laws of the land.

    • Joe Riders says:

      What you should feel badly for is the protesters that were sent there by Burt & Company. They are just little peons, used by the leader of the opposition for his own personal gain. Yes, protesters, you have been used. Next time, use your brains.

    • Skytrain says:

      What if I am asked to pull over my car by the police because I am suspected of speeding and I ignore the request ?
      You’re saying that’s perfectly ok and not illegal?
      What you are saying is ok because I’m peacefully driving off and ignoring the law.
      Thats anarchy!

  13. Joe Riders says:

    As far as infrastructure deals go, the airport deal is very good for Bermuda and very much in line with international standards. Moreover, we should consider ourselves fortunate that a highly experienced and solvent entity -AECON – is handling this project. Mr, Burt: a responsible leader of the opposition is one who suppports the government where warranted and who engages in debate when needed. Just as the leader of the government acts on behalf of all Bermudians, so too must the leader of the opposition. This is no longer about party politics. This is about doing what is right for Bermuda. PS: This debate should take place in the House where we elected all of you to work and act on our behalf. This debate belongs in the House and not on the streets. Mr. Burt, please do us all a favor and stop encouraging protests in the streets to advance your personal agenda.

  14. Gregory says:

    I want to publicly support the actions of the Premier Michael Dunkley and say that he has demonstrated his value to the country with a timely, responsible reply to the actions of last Friday and one that all right thinking people on the Island will agree with. These actions were nothing but political and perhaps over emotional by a few and demonstrate that most of the protestors are only there because they were called out and encouraged to do so by the Leader of the Opposition as he admitted, not because of any real personal concerns. How could any right thinking person not agree that we need a new airport, at half the price that the PLP leadership was going to build when in power and that all the people of Bermuda will be proud of and will enjoy and one that is built on protected higher ground away from storms and flooding as is desperately needed and one that will attract more visitors not discourage them; and at the same time create much needed jobs for the island.
    Thank you Premier.
    Greg

  15. no more egos says:

    It’s clear that David Burt should not be a leader. He would do well listening to a few YouTubes of Obama’s speeches to learn how to be more constructive and improve his leadership skills. Inciting violence is not a quality in a leader that anyone should want. What we need more of if for all of us to take the time to educate ourselves and understand what the project really entails. There is so much information out there. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dmFdWEBulps
    We are receiving plenty of info and transparency – it’s strange that the same party who has spent enormous amounts of money doing an airport deal that few other members of their own party even knew about and this same party is objecting and crying lack of transparency to this deal which is being almost too public. Maybe the way to get things done is just doing it behind closed doors and announcing it after the fact. Too bad the OBA is so transparent and willing to engage the public!!
    Egos really need to go as so much more would get done if the PLP would swallow their pride and do things for Bermudians rather than let pride and ego get in the way. It seems that the PLP has such a track record of helping the top few to the detriment of the people who really need it but unfortunately memories are so short. This deal is a perfect example of something that will help so many in need.

  16. Build a Better Bermuda says:

    ‘The blame for this dangerous escalation rests squarely on the shoulders of his government’ says Mr. Burt who called for people to block access. ‘Peaceful’ he called them, as video shows several protestors attempt to hit police over the heads with objects. He says that he want transparency, yet this has been the most open government project ever, and when all documentation (contracts, schedules, emails…) has been read in their entirety, it shows that Mr. Burt’s narrative doesn’t fit his arguements. Mr. Burt professes to be fighting for democracy, yet democracy requires debate and Friday Mr. Burt sought to block debate rather than engage in it, Mr. Burt’s actions speaks less about governing by debate and reason and more of an attempt to govern by mob rule. It is the PLP that hold the highest blame for Friday’s breakdown as they have invested so much into validating their flagging narrative, that any open debate of it threatens it, so it is imperative they try to prevent it. Mob rule is the PLP desire, not democracy.

  17. ST says:

    Well done Premier Dunkley. An excellent and intelligent statement. So sad that we have a new leader of the Opposition who has started his path in such a hostile and unpleasant way. So much more could be done if he would work with the Premier and actually focus on what will help this island rather than focussing on winning points through the same old tactics. It must be so scary to have your life threatened and even more so having your family dragged into it, when all the work that the Premier does and the reason he has put himself out to serve the public is to help the island. I don’t understand how public servants who work so hard for the good of the island alway have to take continual beatings. I understand if they are being corrupt but no one can conceivably say that our Premier has even one hand in the cookie jar. He is a good man with a big heart and it’s time we start thanking him for all his hard work and all work together for a change.

  18. Warlord says:

    Mr Premier stick to the wicket and don’t let these traitors spoil what we all have worked so hard to accomplish.We have your back on this one.i

    • Mike J says:

      Yeah you have his back! Like you did on Friday,hiding behind a keyboard like the cowardly cockroaches you all are instead of going down there to show your support! I’m sure if the majority support this deal you wouldn’t have had a problem outnumbering the protesters,right?? YEAH MR PREMIER, YOUR SUPPORTERS HAVE YOUR BACK….FROM THE COMFORT OF THEIR KEYBOARDS AND ELECTRONIC DEVICES…..LETS SEE HOW THAT WINS YOU AND THE OBA THE NEXT ELECTION….COWARDLY COCKROACH SUPPORTERS!!!

      • mark says:

        you disgust me and are a disgrace to this country. get out.

      • Warlord says:

        @Mike J
        If the PLP get in the only difference for you and the rest of the blind mice is the color of the premiers skin color.You do realize nothing will change .Th PLP will still raise taxes to cover the deficit .Nothing in your lives will change unless you are part of friends and family.

  19. Smile says:

    Burt is Bermudas own Donald Trump.
    He chooses to ‘lead’ by stirring up hatred and divisiveness. Truth is irrelevant to Mr Burt, the only goal he has in mind is winning political points anyway he can. Sadly much like Trump, he preys on the less educated urging turmoil and instability while feeding them false claims.

    David Burt you should be ashamed of yourself. You are not a leader you are a cancer to this island and our democratic way of life. As a PLP supporter we need a leader that puts Bermuda FIRST rather than their own personal agenda.

    Fellow Bermudians – we can not allow this mans EGO to jeapordise our Democratic way of life. Burt Must Go!!!!!!

    Tragically much like in the US election…. our silent Majority will stay silent until it is too late.
    Burt is an embarrassment and we must make sure a man so selfish with personal motives never becomes leader of our strong island nation.
    I was always unsure about his character but the past 4 days shows he’s not got Bermuda’s best interest at heart.

  20. A compromise says:

    As an Accountant, I cannot speak for or against this contract, as I do not have access to the information required to offer an informed opinion. However, I hear people with far less qualifications and experience than I have, giving their opinion on the contract with little or no facts and maybe even misinformation. So Mr. Premier, in order to move this Island forward together; please propose that an independent panel of 5 qualified Bermudians review the contract; 2 appointed by the PLP, 2 by the OBA and 1 by the Governor. I would suggest a time frame of 14 days, 4 days to get organized and 10 days for the panel to review and report. Their report, which needs to be written in simple language could be shared with the public as well as ALL of the politicians. Then the bill can be debated. Would this not be better than riot gear!

    • Onion says:

      The information you need is publicly available on the Government website. Has been for some time.

    • wahoo says:

      Well said and may cooler heads prevail. Our island is too precious to us all to be tearing ourselves apart the way we have been

  21. Truth says:

    Educate yourselves.. don’t just be a pawn for the self serving new leader of the opposition. He’s using you. Burt does not have anyone’s interests at heart. Half of the PLP don’t like him. Mark Bean wanted to have a party with less corruption. He knew Burt aka E Brown was not to be trusted. The old school PLP and the Bean supporters know what this guy is about.

    • TimBuc says:

      Has anyone thought that the swing voters (former PLP) that help put the OBA in power might be a little upset how the country is ran? Just think about … Its just not only the PLP fan boys who are upset swing voters are also. Think about it.

      • wahoo says:

        I thought about it and I think that swing voters are likely disenchanted with the way PLP and BIU conducted themselves on Friday.

      • god1st says:

        I am a black retired voter. But yeah I will abstain from voting once again.

    • RE Word says:

      You people will say anything to save the ubp/oba.

      Educate us and tell the pawns as you call us why every brother and sister departs from the ubp/oba?

      Also tell us why you tried to change the name?

    • Mike J says:

      LOL my good friend Bean wouldn’t have let this deal go through either…you obviously don’t know him or what you are talking about! As for the old school PLP, they are the reason why the oba were elected in 2012…because of their dodgy business!! Talk about educate yourself!! haha

  22. Comfortably numb says:

    Dr is sitting in the pavilion enjoying the fruits of his labour: taking back the government by any means possible. Diverting attention from the COI for him and Burgess is a bonus.

    • god1st says:

      “Ther Doctor ” isn’t escaping punishment for his wrong doings. I am fully aware of Him and De Burgess guy.I DO GET YOUR POIN THOUGH.

  23. Silence Do Good says:

    How unfortunate we find ourselves acting like children in a school yard.

    The OBA has the majority and if the party whip came into play then yes the airport deal would have went through. That is our democracy unfortunately. MPs who vote for the constituents regardless of party will always have their constituents respect and will get voted in again. More independents enough party politricking.

    We elected a government to govern us in right direction. This government like the last believes that they are doing it. At the end of the day, every five years, we the voters get a chance to judge our politician and if they did the right things for the country and their constituents.

    Understandably, the opposite felt they would have lost the airport deal in the house due to the party whip. Fine call for supporter to show they concerns outside of parliament. Having MPs constituents demonstrating peacefully will send the message on how they should vote in the house.

    Leaders encouraging supporters to block the government from carrying on the business of the people is illegal and should be met with incarceration. Next time police should show up early in riot gear making arrest whomever blocks access to parliament. Next time BPS get there early and maintain control of the area by allowing political access and giving people their due space to peaceful demonstration. Control the situation before it happens.

  24. Rada Gast says:

    I see all the comments that are even just mildly critical of David Burt and the demonstrators have been massively down-voted, without any constructive postings refuting the comments themselves.

  25. swing voter says:

    Many thanks to PTB supervisors and blue shirts that drove their buses on Friday and got me to work on time. You guys are the true civil servants. Im proud of you

  26. Onionjuice says:

    Grand Atlantic Units ( millions spent under the PLP, ) and what a waste of money.. Unoccupied units..

  27. trump supporter says:

    Well Mr,Burt. Sounds like your off to a ruining start, even your own supporters think YOUR NOT THE GUY!

  28. Moderate says:

    Bermuda can’t afford to have someone like Burt who is out for himself manipulate people to do his dirty work. The PLP can’t stand him but he slipped through. If you thought Bean was bad wait till you see this guy at work.

    For anyone who wants to be the leader of an elected Government to demand that Mob Rule should dictate when he loses an election shows an autocratic orientation not one that respects the will of the electorate.

    Dunkley and the OBA aren’t perfect, but they are slowly getting the island back on track. The PLP would rather be Government of a broken Bermuda than Opposition of a successful one.

    How quickly Bermuda seems to be forgetting how we got to where we were in 2012 which was on the edge of the abyss thanks to the PLP.

  29. Takbir Karriem Sharrieff says:

    The Speaker of the House of Assembly ….Randy Horton,,,,,,should have had the good common sense ,,,knowing that there were crowds of People at the Parliament House Grounds,Being inside the house all Day and looking outside the window all day,Should have informed the Authorities,,,,instantly,,that he was ,,,not going to convene Parliament under these potentially dangerous conditions and walked out of the house and declared the Parliament House closed for the day.I guess good common sense is not so common nowadays.Peace.

  30. aceboy says:

    The PLP do not want any information sessions or debate about the airport deal. They just don’t want it.

    So they call out the warriors to prevent any debate or information from getting out.

    Then they claim a lack of transparency.

    Is that good governance? Shutting down any debate by whipping up a crowd? The PLP should be ashamed….but they aren’t because they have nothing to lose. Power at any and all costs. That was Dr. Brown’s call a couple of years ago at the conference.

  31. karen says:

    ALL THESE PROTESTERS WILL BLAME THE POLICE AND THE OBA FOR THERE ACTING OUT AND BEING DISRESPECTFUL AS USUAL IT IS ALWAYS SOME ONE ELSE FAULT. SOMEONE IN THE PLP PARTY PUT THEM ALL UP TOO THIS BELIEVE ME.

  32. mark says:

    What utter nonsense. First, it is a criminal offense to block parliament and all those people blocking parliament should be arrested. Second, it is a fundamental breach of democratic principals. On the substantive argument, it is not the Auditor General’s job to review deals like this – it is not in her power to do so. The airport deal is in no way “secret” as David Burt has said. The deal ensures that the airport is built on time and on budget and that is guaranteed by the Canadian government. Most importantly however, we don’t have to pay for the airport up front but are paying by way of revenues given to the CCC for 30 years while brining in hundreds of jobs and millions of dollars in other ways to our country. The alternative is to borrow hundreds of millions of dollars to pay for it up front which money we don’t have and cant borrow because of the 2billion debt the PLP gave us. The other alternative is to borrow money to put a band aid on it by doing repairs and renovations which again, is not possible due to our already huge debt. The PLP and their political wings of the BIU and the People’s Campaign (what a joke of a name by the way) have done a great job in putting out disinformation and persuading people of their nonsense. The ironic and sad thing is if they get their way, nothing will get done in this country and if this airport deal doesn’t happen, it will be aweful for us and our children and will hurt the people who are demonstrating the most. They have successfully convinced people to support something that is against their own interests and they can say that it is not them doing this because they have a radio station, the BIU and the People’s Campaign to do it for them. Sad sad sad. If we as the real people of Bermuda don’t stand up to this now, we will suffer for it. We need to get our own special interest group, our own radio station and put out our own ads. I for one will not let them do this to my country.

  33. Shutthemdown says:

    Blocking the entrance is small compared to those around the world who have put themselves in front of Tanks and bulldozers.

    This weekend in the US the were blocking and protesting a pipeline.

    So yes all you … we will continue the fight.

  34. Billy Bye' says:

    The videos clearly show that the police were looking for a fight!
    The first form of physical aggression was applied by non Bermudain Police Officers.
    The OBA support is continuing to fall by more Black voters and young people.- a recent poll taken shows this.
    In all democracy has its limits. – the political fallout will be absolutely catastrophic from this.
    I don’t think that Premier Duckley has a mop big enough to clean up this mess.

  35. Just the Tip says:

    Just a question that will probably go unanswered, but how many of protest leaders were sprayed?

  36. To be or not be says:

    In the context of the law that was written 1907 is it not reasonable to look at the context and time frame of our laws.Are we to willingly abide by a law that was written to stop certain segments of country from congregating in groups. Laws written by those who seek to maintain control and benefit from others. Laws, allowed certain people to ‘legally’ enslave others. Laws, allowed for the Jews to be ‘legally’ put into concentration camps. Laws, meant that all slave owners in our country were paid by the Englsih Government to free every person they owned. Laws, in 1907 meant that women did not have the right to vote (1944), Law in 1907 meant that black people were segregated against. We the people of Bermuda are being asked to adhere to a law written in 1907 when all Bermudians did not have the right to vote (1968). This is not to say that we should not have laws to guide us, but are we that bladdy stupid that the Centre of Justice has to bring up a Law written by the Oligarchs of Bermuda, in time when a segment of our population was disenfranchised?

  37. karen says:

    NONE OF THIS WOULD HAVE HAPPENED IF YOU PEOPLE STAYED HOME OR ACTED RIGHT, BUT AS USUAL ITS THE GOVERNMENTS FAULT YOU ALL SEEM TO LISTEN TO YOUR LEADERS AND DO WHAT EVER THEY TELL YOU, ALL PUPPETS ON A STRING.

  38. ROGER L says:

    DIDN’T THE MARCH PROTESTING SHOW WE COULD DO PEACEFULLY & A BETTER DIALOGUE COULD BE PUT FORWARD FOR THE BETTERMENT OF BERMUDA! THEN WHY COULDN’T THE GOVERNMENT & POLICE “CHILL” AND LET BETTER DIALOGUE HAPPEN! DON’T TELL ME IT IS NOT GOVERNMENT WHO OFFICIALLY TELL THE POLICE TO ACT, BUT THEY UNOFFICIALLY LET THEIR VIEWS BE KNOWN SINCE THAT MARCH TIME. IMPATIENCE BY THOSE “AT THE TOP AGAIN”!