Column: ‘Method Of Do As I Say, Not As I Do’

[Opinion column written by OBA Senator Dwayne Robinson]

All my life I have heard people say that a true leader leads by example. To many, this is the benchmark of leadership.

People look to their leaders for hope and a plan that ensures they will remain safe, secure or in good health. Unfortunately, Bermudians are not getting this from the Premier of our country.

Our Premier is practicing the method of do as I say, not as I do.

The OBA was criticized over transparency, for not listening to the people, and berated with the untrue slogan, ‘they don’t really care about us’.

Premier Burt and his PLP Government won a 14-seat majority by campaigning on providing the very thing they claimed the OBA lacked. But was happened? They have become everything they projected on to the OBA and worse because there is no real economic stimulus plan.

The PLP has revealed time and time again that they have no interest in listening to the people. Allow me to list various instances of blatant disregard for public and private opinion:

• Minister Burch allowing ATV tours despite a public outcry and advice from officials within the Department of Parks. The decision was eventually overturned by Chief Justice Hargun.

• The Sugar Tax was rolled out despite legitimate concerns voiced by experts and the business community over who would be affected.

• The PLP pushed it through regardless and the legislation had to be rewritten and brought back to the House several times because it was not properly thought out.

• The PLP held consultation over seizing control of the Corporations of Hamilton and St. George’s. Both corporations said a resounding no, and with their own official Government poll going against the decision, the PLP pushed it through anyway. It was defeated in the Senate but that can only delay the swallowing of the Corporations into the Government machine, not stop it.

• Premier Burt opting to have a delegates’ conference speech instead of the Throne Speech.

• He dropped the Throne Speech with no consultation with the Opposition or public.

• Recently consultation closed on healthcare reform with a petition signed by 7,500 Bermudians opposing the change to Universal Healthcare.

• Doctors and the Chamber of Commerce have all come out against the plan, yet Government is moving forward with the changes regardless. It shows, once again, that the Premier is refusing to listen – a fundamental part of being a good leader.

How long will Bermuda endure this blatant disregard for their opinion or participation in their future?

The One Bermuda Alliance was not perfect, but we did our best to deliver on our promises and be transparent. For instance, more information was released on the airport than any other project undertaken in Bermuda – certainly far more than has ever been released on the PLP-inspired hospital wing.

We said our tourism industry was a priority, so we formed the Bermuda Tourism Authority and the Gaming Commission. We said jobs were our priority, so we pursued capital developments such as the Airport and St. Regis which have employed many Bermudians, while helping to grow our GDP.

We stood for fiscal responsibility, so we curbed government spending, reduced the size of cabinet and took a salary cut.

We promised to stimulate the Bermuda economy, so we secured the America’s Cup which injected much needed capital into the country, which in turn meant we did not have large tax increases.

Where are the capital developments, where are the jobs, where is comprehensive immigration reform, and where is the succinct plan for our Island from the PLP? Bermudians have continued to suffer while the PLP and their affiliates prosper.

The 2017 election was decided on the public perception of who listened and communicated with the people more, the next election and the elections to come will be decided on the same issue.

The Premier is arrogant and dismissive due to his 14-seat victory.

He feels his Cabinet does not need to answer to the people of Bermuda – merely run their ideas past them as a courtesy – and that their promise to take on the ‘status quo’ is enough justification to burn down our current house, before a foundation for a new one is built.

The PLP has been in power for 17 of the 25 years I have been alive, to my generation they are the status quo. I hope for Bermuda’s sake Premier Burt listens to the people of Bermuda and changes his current dismissive method of governing.

- Dwayne Robinson

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