OBA’s Cannonier: ‘People Need To See A Plan’
[Updated] “The Throne Speech is a mechanism through which Government tells the people and businesses in Bermuda what its agenda is for the coming 12 months,” Opposition Leader Craig Cannonier said, adding that people are “struggling” and “they need to see a plan.”
This follows after Premier David Burt advised that the Legislature will continue to meet until the Christmas recess is taken in December, saying that the “Government’s legislative agenda can and should continue without the interruption of the traditional Convening of the Legislature.”
Mr. Cannonier said, “The Throne Speech is a mechanism through which Government tells the people and businesses in Bermuda what its agenda is for the coming 12 months. Not doing so shows a lack of good leadership and the ability to provide the necessary direction to solve the social and business issues affecting this Island.
“A leader clearly lays out their plans and communicates them effectively with everyone involved. Not doing so risks losing the trust of the people and can cause unnecessary confusion. Premier David Burt has to face the people of Bermuda. He has to explain why he is not laying out a clear plan to help Bermudians and businesses.
“Right now people are struggling under new and increased taxes, they are losing jobs or being forced to leave the Island. They need help and they need to see a plan. By not delivering a Throne Speech David Burt is not providing that help. He is not reassuring the people and that is very poor leadership.
“The Premier has failed for more than two years to come up with an economic stimulus plan to stop his people hurting. If there was ever a time to deliver a Throne Speech it is now and the people of Bermuda need to ask why David Burt has failed to deliver.”
We have asked the Government for a response and will update as able.
Update October 23, 9.45am: Minister Without Portfolio Jamahl Simmons said, “The average Bermudian is more interested in the PLP delivering on a living wage, affordable healthcare for families and improving our schools than in the optics of a throne speech.
“This represents a clear difference between the OBA and the PLP: while they are focused on ceremony we are focused on substance and doing the work and executing the agenda.”
Totally agree – if burt was a ceo the board would long since have booted him out
People are hurting, where is the hope?
Very good statement. Burt is beyond arrogant. And how does the house meeting every two weeks help transparency and scrutiny?
I am very afraid for bermuda
They promised to improve schools, revitalize education, reduce healthcare costs, balance the budget, reduce our debt, create a tech hub at Southside, create new jobs thru fintech, introduce new and exciting tourism initiatives, lower the cost of foods and put more money in our pockets.
Two years into it now and how is this working out for us? Someone close to the party and government, please report back.
Pathetic leadership at a time when bermuda desperately needs hope from a good leader.
No need publish a plan, we already know it’s contained in three words- tax and spend. Spending, of course, restricted to those registered in the friends and family programme.
Are you referring to the ‘friends and family/mp’ travel all over the world plan?
More political rhetoric!
Why not offer a plan yourself? I know it is easier to criticise the Premier than to be him, but if you want the OBA to be relevant again offer some solid leadership!
Umm, probably because it’s NOT HIS JOB! He wasn’t the one that danced around a stage after a whole bunch of sheeple got bamboozled into electing him and his party into power.
These guys are pathetic. They clearly have no plan to write a speech about. We are really in trouble Bermuda.
Well, to be honest, it’s not the Opposition’s responsibility to come up with a plan.
The OBA in their recent short tenure, did have a plan and it was starting to bear some fruit. Unfortunately, because the PLP played to a populist agenda, we are where we are.
The fact remains, Burt is the poster child for an empty suit. The PLP know exactly what needs to happen, but they can’t bring themselves to admit to their base that they were lied to. They are now biding time until the next election and in the interim, Bermuda slides further into the abyss.
How about the Premier do his job and tell us what the plan is, if that’s not too much to frikin ask?
Yup, those are the perfect responses from a party that is no longer relevant that wants to come to power again! [drips sarcasm]
I am truly sick and tired of hearing about Fintech. Forget that, and please get down to business. The people of Bermuda are struggling with HIGH electricity and grocery costs. As far as I am concerned the current Government is just posturing, trying to impress people. Well, we are not impressed, we need action. Do something to help us, stop showing off. We don’t want to see you on tv in your suits shaking hands with other Fin tech people. You have ministers who cannot even take care of their own ministries, you know who they are. Your Government should not require all these consultants. Why are we paying Pastor Bean that huge salary, what is wrong with Minister Caines, why can he perform ?? Stop raising taxes, they are only putting more pressure on us. Instead, trim down your ministries and stop playing around.
Sorry Sunflower. We reap what we sew. There is a reason for 25-11. That is what the majority of Bermudian wanted.
This sounds like something “you know who” would do. It shows lack of respect to real Bermudians who are getting increasingly angry with this out of touch administration.
Its a fair point.
Burt may be dressing this up as colonial nonsense, but from where I’m standing it feels like he’s got nothing to say.
Outside of the smart suit, was there ever a plan?
Are you serious?
Aren’t you interested in hearing the Government’s plans? Or are you actually a simple sheeple that will gobble up anything do without any notification?
Rhetorical question, so no need to answer. Bahhhhhhhhhh…
PS: Cannonier is right. PLP have no plan other than to tax and spend.
Well maybe they should try a JetGate deal
You mean the one where the former PLP Premier went on a plane whose ultimate owner’s company received lucrative tourism contracts not long after?
That Jetgate?
Erudite as ever.
Pipe down. The grownups are talking.
Less scrutiny, less accountability, less transparency ….. 25-11. People need to wake up to what is happening!
what a joke of a reply from our minister of propaganda!
1. “The average Bermudian is more interested in the PLP delivering on a living wage, affordable healthcare for families and improving our schools than in the optics of a throne speech..
OK – so what has happened? Healthcare has gone up thanks to bad legislation and will go up again under universal healthcare. still no living wage despite being in power more than two years and improving schools! Ha what a joke – tell that to TN Tatem pupils or the teachers still buying equipment out of their own pockets!
JOKER!
2. This represents a clear difference between the OBA and the PLP: while they are focused on ceremony we are focused on substance and doing the work and executing the agenda.” NO, the OBA want the deliver of a clear strategy to get this country out of the dire economic mess we are in.
WOW. Is Simmons serious. God help us if he is. This make me fume!
So Minister Without Portfolio Simmons, what is the work, the substance and the agenda?
You haven’t told us.
Good to see Jamahl has piped up.
“The average Bermudian is more interested in the PLP delivering on a living wage, affordable healthcare for families and improving our schools than in the optics of a throne speech.”
Yes they are, but the thing is, the PLP haven’t delivered on any of those things, nor have they a plan to do so. That’s kind of the point.
The PLP are Clueless ! Always have been.
Oh Wait, Dr Ewart got a book coming out on his success.
Ask him why he drove our Island into massive debt under his tenure.
What happens in the dark, surfaces in the light.
Its only a matter of time.
Everyone just leave the country!!!!
Lol like the Oba did any better ? Both parties are almost the same . One catering to the wealthy. While the other tryna cater to all . Lol
My friends/ your friends.
“While the other tryna cater to all”
Now that’s funny. I assume you mean ‘by all,’ you are referring to all of the ‘friends and family’ network of the PLP. Because there is no way you can actually believe that the PLP’s tax and fee hikes has actually helped the general public. What has got better since July 2017 for the general populace not connected to the inner circle of the PLP?