Finance Minister Responds to Opposition Leader

January 13, 2017

“The Opposition Leader’s comments were unhelpful regarding enabling the Bermuda public to increase their calm, thoughtful understanding of this project,” Finance Minister Bob Richards said, adding that “the individuals comprising the BRP are senior, respected and non-political Bermudian financial professionals.”

Bob Richards Bernews TC 13 Jan

Yesterday, Opposition Leader and Shadow Minister of Finance David Burt said the “announcement by Minister Richards of a handpicked panel to provide what he described as an independent assessment shows contempt and disrespect to the people and their elected representatives.”

“If the Government was truly interested in building consensus and trust, consultation with the Opposition regarding persons to sit on this panel would have taken place,” Mr Burt added.

In response,the Minister of Finance stated that, “The Opposition Leader’s comments were unhelpful regarding enabling the Bermuda public to increase their calm, thoughtful understanding of this project. Divisive rhetoric and name calling hinders this process.

“The individuals comprising the BRP are senior, respected and non-political Bermudian financial professionals with impeccable reputations.

“They deserve the space to complete their assignment without being subject to the political crossfire which has plagued this project from the outset.

“This is a good deal for Bermuda, with many benefits for Bermudians, and I am confident that this will be reflected in the findings of the Blue Ribbon Panel.”

Live video replay of the Finance Minister announcing the Blue Ribbon panel earlier this week:

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Comments (29)

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  1. Kevin says:

    At some point many Bermudians want this government to do what they were elected to do …we want you to just show true leadership and get on with getting this our island back on track ..building the economy to grow jobs …we are very well aware of the tactics of the plp they need you to fail the biu and peoples campaign are all the same they need you to fail their only chance of winning the next election is if the OBA fail to show results so any and all initiatives they will attempt to block … please lets get on with working together to right the wrong our childrens children depend on it

    • He's full of it says:

      “Please lets get on with working together” – If only the OBA would do that, then Bermuda would have less division.

      The OBA preached bi-partisanship, transparency, accountability and collaboration in 2012, and since then it has been anything but.

      I would take the PLP over the OBA if they can get the country to work together, which sadly the OBA have proven they cannot do.

      • Denis P says:

        “if they can get the country to work together”

        Neither party has proven capable of this feat

        • WOW such hate from these people says:

          What’s really funny is that all this hate from both parties bloggers only further DIVIDES the races!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

          • Silence Do Good says:

            Your comment about race and party allegiances is what is dividing. Glass house.

            Funny how the both parties when they are the opposition sign the collaboration song and when they are the government of the day, take their toys and go home to plot about benefits for friends and family.

            More independents should run in the next election. If 5 to 7 independent seats win then you will finally see collaboration. I will vote independent for a feral chicken over these clowns and their party politricking.

      • sandgrownan says:

        That’s ridiculous, how on earth do you come to the conclusion that the PLP are inclusive?

        “we don’t care what you think”
        “We’re in charge now”
        “We had to deceive”

        Never mind the “kids in a candy store” mentality and the utter, sheer and complete incompetence.

        The PLP should open every single day by apologizing to the people of Bermuda. Every day, for the absolute mess they left behind. The mere fact we have made progress is a credit to the OBA (warts and all).

        • real investigation says:

          Don’t forget the latest

          “So what if we had to bend a rule or two”

    • Concerned Bermudian says:

      You really think the UBP/OBA will win the next election than tell Dunky to call the election now. That way the OBAERS can see this chance you speak about. They need 15% of the black population to win. You think they have it now. This is not 2012 I was a fool when I trusted this Government.

      • steve says:

        “i was a fool to trust this government”- maybe

        “I am about to be a fool when i elect a PLP governement following years of cast in stone unapologetic incompetence” -definitely

        Since your voting judgement has a history of being very poor, perhaps you should stay home on election day and stop watering down the quality of the vote.

      • real investigation says:

        It is not about winning or losing, its about what is right for the island. If the OBA lose, the whole island loses.

        Maybe one of the most important things that can be done is for this airport to be signed off and started before the election just for that reason. We know the PLP have an voracious ability to make money disappear, so putting this project out of reach is of national importance.

      • sandgrownan says:

        If Bermuda votes to return the PLP to government, that’s it for Bermuda. They almost destroyed it in the 14 years of terror, but this time they’d be starting with an empty till.

        They lack the wit, intelligence and foresight to develop any sort of economic plan.

      • jt says:

        Probably the only hope they have, or ever had, is to grow the economy. Their biggest mistake was letting various groups derail and slow them down. It looks like they’ve finally decided to get on with it, but it could very well be too late.

  2. 747 Airbus 380 says:

    Burt just another that wants to hear himself speak. These lot would oppose and bitch about the Pope being Catholic. Enough don’t waste the time listening to them for they know not of which they speak

  3. Ex PLP says:

    Well said Kevin. OBA got my whole families votes. Including all my nieces n nepheWat. PLP have really pissed us all off.

  4. Waiting and Wondering says:

    How can he share a share the report with people who are not going to vote on its passage and at the same time refuse to show it to the people who have to vote on it?

    Let all MP’s have it so that they can make an informed decision.

    This is not rocket science and neither is it being transparent.

    Trickery!!!

    • O.M.G says:

      You mean like the PLP were. I don’t think so. They did not give a dame about any of you except there own pockets. Giving you free rides and nurseries was a ploy to keep you from watching what they were really doing. When you have the likes of brown, Burges, cox etc that is and was a disaster waiting to happen. Brown telling us that he is going to bring the country to its knees and you all thought he was great. Now you got the great union leader threatening the livelihood of his own people sometihing is really wrong with people’s mindset. It’s about being jealous because this government is doing a good job.

  5. Alex Madeiros JP says:

    Why bother to respond! It is like talking to a deaf muppet.

  6. Glenorca says:

    The qualifications of those selected are not being questioned. The lack of consultation of others -public, unions & plp in the selection of the individuals is been questioned. Handpicked by Richards alone is the problem. What’s transparent about this?

  7. Curious says:

    At the last general election the OBA won the majority of seats and therefore were elected as the government of Bermuda. Proposals put forward by the elected government are then discussed in parliament under our Westminster system. That’s how the system is supposed to work. What has gone wrong here?

  8. Jadon says:

    Don’t worry…. no one believing this clown. We all know they are trying everything they can to do this airport. Not going to happen… the people are smarter now. We are catching on to your trickery Richards!

  9. Dark Star says:

    Burt is vexed that the PLP couldn’t appoint a bunch of people who have their ear and who would release material to the PLP to use and twist into their stupid lies and twisting of the truth. What I find funny is how the PLP did nothing for education while they had 12 years to educate the young-instead it seems that their motto is keep em uneducated and they will believe every lie we put their way—-
    Wake up Bermuda-the PLP lies are no different than the Trump lies

  10. ian says:

    Just call the damm election so we can get rid of you fools!!!

    • Sandgrownan says:

      Ian – what’s the plp’s plan to grow the economy? Let’s say five points?

      I’ll wait

      • LOL says:

        I think you should go back to the sorry aaas country you came from. Pretty sure it’s not bermy. Why don’t you tell everyone where you from?

    • Sandgrownan says:

      Crickets

  11. well no… make a decision.

  12. James Rego says:

    3 more days for Rev Genevieve, unless he’s already departed.