Column: ‘PLP Working To Diversify Economy’
[Opinion column written by MP Dennis Lister III]
While the government is focused on diversifying our economy and expanding jobs and opportunities for Bermudians, the OBA seems more focused on fighting for the status quo, protecting the privileged and undermining the work we are doing to improve the lives of Bermudians.
The OBA has opposed the introduction of a living wage opposed mortgage relief for Bermudian families and opposed healthcare reform that will lead to better, more affordable healthcare for Bermudians.
With the government attempting to diversify our economy via technology, the OBA has chosen to focus on 1 of the 82 tech companies that have come to Bermuda under the PLP Government, in a futile attempt to undermine the success of our vision.
The Premier has invited the OBA to ask questions during Premier’s Question Time on issues of concern. Instead, the OBA has chosen not to ask questions in a Parliament, in favour of a campaign of innuendo, scaremongering and outright falsehood.
For example, the Deputy Leader of the OBA, speaking about a building legally acquired by a Bermuda company referred to it as an “An acquisition, which, by the way, proceeded before the company was even incorporated.” 100% False! The irresponsible publication of an outright falsehood reinforces our belief that the OBA is more interested in disrupting progress than in operating in the best interest of Bermudians.
Many companies that are looking to establish operations in Bermuda have expressed concern about the campaign of innuendo and about the level of malicious probing that they have witnessed others experiencing while seeking to establish ties with Bermuda.
We are aware of at least one instance, where a company decided to domicile elsewhere as a direct result of probing that they determined was both malicious and harassing in nature. This undermined our efforts on the global stage, damaged Bermuda’s reputation in the tech space and perhaps worst of all, Bermudians who had been offered jobs, saw those jobs disappear, landlords who were looking forward to earning income from the rental space saw their potential tenant withdraw and an opportunity that would have benefitted Bermuda as a whole was lost.
The Bermuda Monetary Authority is a globally respected body that acts as the independent gatekeeper for Bermuda in the Digital Asset Industry. They have contributed immensely to Bermuda’s sterling reputation, and all of Bermuda – especially the OBA – should have every confidence in their ability to scrutinise companies that wish to operate from our shores.
Global companies have choices, and any company that is willing and able to meet the standards of risk management and disclosures as determined by the BMA are welcome to do business in Bermuda. Those who cannot meet that standard are invited to choose another place to domicile.
The PLP is working to diversify our economy and are bringing forward solutions to change the status quo and build a better, fairer Bermuda. The only solution the OBA has offered to improve our economy is more of the same; a return to the OBA approach of opening the immigration floodgates and pushing Bermudians to the sidelines which was rejected by the people.
By their policies and legislation while in office, the OBA demonstrated that they were more interested in protecting the status quo than working to improve the lives of all Bermudians. Their actions surrounding economic diversification demonstrate that they care more about political point scoring that working collaboratively to increase economic opportunity for all in Bermuda.
- Dennis Lister III
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The pressure must be on, they’re wheeling out all the duffers to publish pre-prepared statements.
“We are aware of at least one instance, where a company decided to domicile elsewhere as a direct result of probing that they determined was both malicious and harassing in nature.”
Who? When?
“While the government is focused on diversifying our economy and expanding jobs and opportunities for Bermudians,….”
How exactly?
“Bermudians who had been offered jobs, saw those jobs disappear, landlords who were looking forward to earning income from the rental space saw their potential tenant withdraw and an opportunity that would have benefitted Bermuda as a whole was lost.”
No detail? Who? How many had been offered jobs, where, doing what?
Blah blah blah. More rhetoric garbage. Y’all are more full of &&&&& then crabs. I just see more and more restrictions and deductions not disversification… Oh sorry, then followed by more verbal diarrhea.
Race-baiting, fear of immigrants, ‘working on acting’ instead of acting. More of the same spin from the PLP.
What is the definition of race baiting?
what a load of b/s … an insult to our intelligence
Pretty clear from this and the other piece of rubbish from Michael Scott that the PLP are running scared ….
While the government is focused on diversifying our economy and expanding jobs and opportunities for Bermudians
nice words , but were are the results?
how many jobs are created in the famous fintech environment ?
the only increase in jobs , I can see are in CS , which is indeed very helpful for FF
Imort duty is 100% for fist ten thousand…and 150% for above ten thousand for automobile.
But you don’t serve our needs…roads are not paved in years.
I have to put thumb to screen to tell you that I want you to spend less and do what is required.
You have difficulty doing what has been done successfully for decades apon decades before you successfully…this means you suck…do you understand?
You are innept .
Please go away.
No…you may not spend my money .
I’m disappointed in thus. It’s just another press release talking about what the PLP are doing to Benefit Bermudiand without listing any actual examples.
You cant brag for two years about a wonderful skyscraper that your gonna build and not ever lay the foundation. People get tired of believe it.
One thing is consistent. They keep trying to divert attention from answers and revert to OBA this and that. Why . You won’t the election 24-12 because you marched and protested and encouraged strikes almost monthly and talked about what the OBA was doing wrong and how you would fix it.
Now that you have to deliver and can’t you need to stick to all you know. Blame game. Well nobody is buying what your are selling anymore.
They are laying the foundations. Did you not see the many many new committees were created?
If maintaining the status quo means my health insurance does not go up – on top of all the extra taxes I’ve got to pay -then I will definitely vote for the status quo!
Plp. Why are you always worrying about the Oba. Those who can’t produce results always find a way to go off track.
Just admit. Friends and family.
Lister mentions the OBA 10 times in that regurgitated op-ed.
Also just like yesterdays piece, I still did not read about how the PLP is actually diversifying the economy.
So we are clear, the party that tore the OBA up and down in the international press with race baiting, homophobic laws, xenophobic hatred, anti development (airport), anti tourism (AC), anti long term residents and on and on and on…
Is now upset that the OBA is pointing out major issues with the PLP and the fact that the PLP has decided to increase every tax on the island to then pay off its core voters through a living wage campaign?
LOL
Stopped after mortgage relief was mentioned. Does he mean the mortgage relief that is ONLY for Bda Gov employees??????? How is that helping EVERY Bermudian? Talk about bias. They aren’t a private employer to be offering this as a benefit!
“The OBA has opposed the introduction of a living wage ”
Wasn’t the living wage review completed by a bi-partisan commission? If so then how is the OBA opposing it if they were part of the committee that is proposing it?
PLP should seriously change their motto to; “It wasn’t me.’
Good Point.
At what point will the PLP realize that they’re the Govt and attacking OBA will only work to their detriment. Only the sheeple believe this crap! So please do NOT insult our intelligence!
1. This complete falsehood:
The OBA has opposed the introduction of a living wage opposed mortgage relief for Bermudian families and opposed healthcare reform that will lead to better, more affordable healthcare for Bermudians.
It is a bi-partisan committee and the OBA has not opposed – they have questioned the way it was done.
It has questioned healthcare reform that has added to people’s health care costs and it has questioned why Government is not prepared to tackle over-utilisation. It has not opposed mortgage relief, it has questioned why it is for civil servants
2. this is wrong:
With the government attempting to diversify our economy via technology, the OBA has chosen to focus on 1 of the 82 tech companies that have come to Bermuda under the PLP Government, in a futile attempt to undermine the success of our vision
Fintech has not been opposed by the OBA – they have questioned when it will happen; what has happened to the millions of dollars promised in the MOUs and have expressed concern about 1. arbitrade and 2. that other than fintech there is no economic plan.
3. The PLP is peddling innuendo when it tries to blame the OBA for fintech’s problems – not, there is ZERO proof.
4. this:
The PLP is working to diversify our economy and are bringing forward solutions to change the status quo and build a better, fairer Bermuda.
OK what and where and when is the diversification? what solutions – as there are NONE listed here and how is raising the cost of living and the cost of doing business a ‘better and fairer Bermuda’?
True. Government is not prepared to tackle over-utilisation. Why? Because it would affect one of their friends.
Now you are just out right lying. The OBA is NOT in favor of Fintech. Of they were why they have gone silent on one of them appointing a Bermudian as their CFO? Like Lister said they are harboring over ONE company out of 82 that legally bought a building here that was vacant? The OBA and their followers like you have shown your disdain, dishonesty and blatant attempts at sabotage towards Fintech
You’re the morons who get duped by conmen. Amateurs,
Fintech is a cool idea. But government is rushing to hope it catches on. It not always a good idea to be first in line with a new concept. Sometimes it’s best to sit back watch other invert, make mistakes , reinvest and then ultimately give up. Do you wanna be the Ume or the iPad? Wanna be laserdisc or Blu-ray? Wanna be Jox or Nike? Anyway you get the picture
No, er no. Incorrect.
What we have shown disdain for, is that Bitcoin Dave and his idiot followers think Fintech is the answer to Bermuda’s fiscal mess. It isn’t, and it will never be.
Until you get that into your thick head you should walk away from the keyboard.
Bermuda is dying, and Tunis government will not address the solution without accepting any responsibility for getting us into this mess in the first place.
This is pure drivel – is this what we are paying $2.5m extra for dross communications like this? $2.5m that could fund litigation guardians to protect our vulnerable children. is it true that the SSM fight is going to cost $3m?
The PLP campaigned on two bermudas – and they have succeeded in creating two bermudas: the taxpayers and the fat cats on the Hill who get the travel, the cars, the $160K salaries for meaningless cabinet posts.
This article is disgusting.
How does Mr Lister explain the fact that this ‘labour’ government is now in dispute with the BIU, the BUT, the BPSU and the POA?
4 Unions in dispute with the PLP and their policies, but STILL not enough of a problem for a single protest, a march, a hunger strike, a message from the Rev or a state ment from “The Peoples Campaign”?
Hopefully, the all the sheep that voted last time are starting to see the wolf for what it really is!
I would rather take disputes over an Island wide blackout strike that shut down everything because the OBA govt lied once more to it’s workers. Or pepper spraying 70 year old men and women that included all 4 unions….how quickly you all forget the damage the OBA has done and continues to do this day
“I would rather take disputes over an Island wide blackout strike that shut down everything because the OBA govt lied once more to it’s workers.”
Good thing that never happened then
Have the PLP guaranteed no pepper spray will ever be usec again whatever the circumstances?
No. If there are riots and violence the police would have to restore order like they did last time.
Pepper spray wears off in 30 minutes. It was a non event.
The island wide strike was a fabricated bunch of BS caused by the PLP propaganda machine. Everyone now sees that, even my neighbor that participated in two marches.
“I would rather take disputes over an Island wide blackout strike that shut down everything because the OBA govt lied once more to it’s workers.”
Good thing that never happened then
You’re confused
What exactly is this “status quo” the PLP keeps referring to? And how exactly does the PLP deviate from this status quo to make things better for Bermudians? These opinion columns don’t actually offer anything that serves to answer these questions, which should be very simple to answer (at least in theory).
Just reads and sounds like the $2.5 million propoganda machine has found some buzzwords to peddle without any substance, hoping that lying frequently enough will somehow make their narrative true.
The PLP is seriously incompetent. I am scared for my future in Bermuda. They are inept and reckless. The way we are going is very very frightening.
Real estate is one of the largest indicators of confidence.
Values are down, down, down. You can also take your pick of any house in any area of Bermuda right now. Properties, big, small and in between are being listed for sale every single day.
Sad times for our island home!
Oh come on, they have been trying. Sugar tax, that’s a diversification. Health tax, that’s a diversification. Currency exchange tax, that’s a diversification. Extra 2.5% for public employees, that’s a diversification.
The current govt voters didn’t even bother to comment on this rubbish.. says something.
Why should we. We all know what the OBA is doing, blatant sabotage. Again we didn’t hardly say anything online around the election last time. We talked with our votes and unlike you OBA trolls we don’t get paid to sit up all day online commenting and making up falsehoods. It speaks volumes more that you all still support the OBA when they have used blatant lies and deception to get their way, i.e. using black ppl as surrogates to gain power.
The PLP is hell bent on destroying bermuda…it’s the only thing they know how to do, and they do it well!
Pointing out the moronic shortcomings of the PLP is not sabotage. It’s just the truth.
So shutting down the HoA isn’t sabotage? Shutting down meetings to discuss Immigration Reform isn’t sabotage? The BIU threatening the America’s Cup isn’t sabotage? All the disruption caused by the Peoples Campaign isn’t sabotage? Derogatory comments made in overseas press by people like Christopher Famous PLP MP isn’t sabotage?
If a company is legitimate they’re used to scrutiny. Only dubious companies are scared. How has Arbitrade worked out? Is that the company that has run away? The PLP won’t say but the new crypto business is ripe with scams – just read the worldwide financial press.
It’s also very easy as everything they do is moronic.
That’s rich coming from a ‘we had to deceive you’ Party supporter.
You get paid to work. But you wont do that. So I trust you understand that many of us are bitter about paying for teachers that wont teacher, bus drivers that wont drive, trash service that was cut from twice a week to once a week, schools that wont open and a 223% increase in healthcare costs imposed by the PLP to help put money in out wallets? Meanwhile the PLP have driven up the cost of living, increased every possible tax, created new ones and cut every service they could. So forgive me if I’m pissed off!
I don’t mind who governs, I just expect them to govern and do their f’n jobs. Spend less time on BS and more time doing your job.
I traveled into Hamilton from Crawl this morning. Left 8.20 and arrived on Pitts Bay Road around 8.45. No buses on the road at all going into Hamilton or coming out. PLP diversity is certainly working – those with private transport and those without. Public school children at home and private at school. Government workers paid for doing nothing while the private sector workers pay taxes to support them.
Time for a taxpayer revolution at least to get the Government to listen. The drop in real estate prices will convert to less taxes as will the drop in retail sales. The chickens are quietly coming home to roost and the result won’t be pretty.
the government is focused on diversifying our races!
and lining their own pockets.
Politics is part of life and both parties do it. I just hope more and more of us are paying attention to actual work being done than propaganda press releases like this one. I get it, OBA would produce the same kind of thing if roles were reversed. This one in particular is pretty blatant though.
Economy what Economy? Who are they trying to BS. Oh I know, their loyal supporters.
Fools
Nothing was said in the article. Stop attacking the OBA and do something positive. The PLP are stuck in election mode, attack the OBA. Please no more taxes and get over the racism ands xenophobia. Look at Cayman, they have it right, we certainly do not.