Kim Swan: “Same People, Same Problems”
The following statement is from Kim.Swan, Leader of the Opposition:
It is curious but not surprising to see the candidates for the leadership of the Progressive Labour Party launch their campaigns with virtually no mention of their government’s record in office.
Mr. Terry Lister devoted one sentence to it in a four-page speech while Ms. Cox made no mention at all – nothing! – of 12 years in power.
Of course there have been accomplishments, but they stand in the shadow of larger failures that have weakened this island and public awareness of those failures that make it difficult for the candidates to stand on the record.
Instead Ms. Cox referred to the spirit of 1998 and the need to revive the hope and excitement that that historic victory inspired. This amounted to criticism by omission of the government’s record.
In her campaign slogan – “Moving forward together” – there could not be a more backhanded criticism of the government’s years in office – years we did not move forward in critically important areas, and certainly not together.
Mr. Lister was more directly critical of his government’s performance, saying “It’s Bermuda turn.” That’s an interesting statement. A turn at what? Whose turn has it been these past 12 years? Or, more to the point, wasn’t it supposed to be Bermuda’s turn all along?
Mr. Lister obviously believes the people of Bermuda have not been this government’s priority or he would not have made “It’s Bermuda’s turn” the slogan of his campaign.
My colleagues have long criticized the government for putting its interests ahead of the public interest and Mr. Lister’s and Ms Cox’s campaigns reflect that sad fact.
Let’s face it: The PLP years in office, particularly the last five years, have disappointed many. They won the right to govern Bermuda fair and square, but after a while performance has to matter, performance has to count and that’s where I have a problem with the current government and the reshuffling of the deck that this leadership race is about.
Bermuda needs real change and it’s not just me who thinks that.
A lot of people believe Bermuda is heading in the wrong direction and has been for quite some time. Take a moment to think about where we are with crime, education, tourism, governance, public debt and public morale. All are critically important areas of public life and yet we are not better off in any of them.
Yet Ms. Cox and Mr. Lister each want you to believe they are the one to get Bermuda back on track.
My first question to them is: Where have you been? Both of you sat at the Cabinet table where decisions were taken, supposedly to strengthen the island. But Ms. Cox as Finance Minister signed off on all plans and commitments that have led us to the worst financial and economic position in living memory. Mr. Lister was at the same table for most of the past 12 years.
Both these candidates need to explain their role in the government’s record. They can’t sidestep it. They can’t try to sweep it under the rug and they can’t get away with saying they were cogs in the wheel.
I hope people and, in particular, the media press them for answers.
Until we get satisfactory explanations, the outlook is “Same people, same problems.”
The Sun rises in the East, sets in the West.
What we do between time is seen…
I did my best.
In the sky, there is no distinction of east and west; people create distinctions out of their own minds and then beleive them to be true.
Very well said Kim love to see Dale debate either candidate as he would certainly ask that question. Once a cog always a cog ?
Any debate with a sitting PLP member of Parliament would be an exercise in futility.
NO questions of any sort would be answered. Subterfuge , evasion , denial ,changing the subject, blaming the UBP and of course twisting everything into ‘racism’ would be the only result.
And for 52% of the electorate , that’s ‘normal’ and perfectly ok .
Very well put Mr. Swan. I would love to seem them answer any of the questions you have put forth. Maybe that is what it will take to get them to open their own eyes and realize that what they have been doing isn’t at all steps in a forward direction. Unless completely blind, some self reflection is much needed. It is a man’s own mind, not his enemy or foe, that lures him to evil ways.