UBP & Premier Speak On “Pay to Play”
After the United Bermuda Party [UBP] said the Premier “appeared to mix last weekend’s PLP fund-raising with government business, specifically with regard to future of the PGA Grand Slam in Bermuda,” the Premier’s spokesman responded by saying “The Premier will not dignify this statement which implies that something is amiss with the integrity of the relationship between the Government of Bermuda and the PGA.”
The Premier’s spokesperson continued on to say that “This shortsighted statement from the UBP is obviously an affront to the internationally respected PGA.It is fortunate for Bermuda that the PGA does not see our country through the eyes of the UBP.”
Calling the UBP a “debilitated organization”, he said they “must learn to distinguish between cheap political points and what is good for Bermuda.”
Shortly before the Premier’s Farewell Gala Weekend, which took place this past weekend, the Premier announced that PGA CEO Joe Steranka would be attending, saying “I am pleased that Mr. Steranka has agreed to join us for the Farewell Gala Weekend and believes his support bodes well for the future relationship between the PGA and Bermuda.”
Mr Steranka and his wife flew in for the event, and are pictured below along with the Premier’s wife Wanda Henton-Brown at the Green & White Beach Party at Snorkel Park on Friday. [view photo gallery of the event here.]
The UBP said that “The Premier earlier in the week said Bermuda was considering whether it would continue with the tournament if we don’t get a good deal this year. But the next day, after learning PGA chief Joe Steranka confirmed his intention to attend the Premier’s gala farewell, Dr. Brown said Mr. Steranka’s support bodes well for the future of the PGA and Bermuda.”
The Royal Gazette had previously reported that “the PGA are keen to continue their relationship with Bermuda, and that the only stumbling block to a deal being done would be if Government didn’t feel it was a worthwhile investment.”
Saying “One could dismiss the Premier’s prepared statement as poorly worded; but it nevertheless raised the spectre that he was engaged in a form of pay-to-play whereby PGA political support for the PLP would lead to more lenient decision-making by the government on the future of the Grand Slam in Bermuda”, the UBP said that “Bermuda trades on its reputation and we cannot allow it to be endangered by the careless wording or loose actions by a temporary office holder.”
