Premier Cannonier Attends Meeting In Tortola
At the invitation of the Premier of the British Virgin Islands Orlando Smith, Premier Craig Cannonier today [Jan 14] met with Premier Smith and the Chief Minister of Gibraltar, Fabian Picardo in Tortola to discuss the benefits of greater cooperation of the British Overseas Territories for the mutual benefit of all.
Building on the first meeting of the Heads of Government of the British Overseas Territories in September, 2013 which took place outside of the annual Joint Ministerial Council meetings in the UK, the leaders will now encourage their fellow Heads of Government to meet regularly to pursue matters of mutual interest and cooperation.
Premier Cannonier, Governor of BVI Boyd McClear and Chief Minister of Gibraltar Fabian Picardo:
Premier Cannonier said : “Our talks were fruitful. We, [the Heads of Government] all recognize that the British Overseas Territories have much to offer each other and the world.
“Bermuda leads in insurance, BVI leads in company registrations, Gibraltar leads in online gaming, Cayman leads in Hedge Funds, and the Falkland Islands have significant oil reserves. We are confident that these leadership positions will enable us to work together from a position of strength.”
While in the British Virgin Islands, the Premier will also take part in a panel discussion at the annual BVI Business Outlook Conference tomorrow. The Conference theme is ‘Change is in our DNA: Taking our Game to the Next Level.’ The 175 conference attendees will include leaders of business and government .
Premier Cannonier is accompanied by Secretary to the Cabinet, Dr. Derrick Binns and returns to Bermuda on Saturday, 18th January.
This guy is racking up more miles than Ewart Brown!
Not by a long shot. Keep dreaming.
A lot closer than you might think.
Evidence?
As in sky miles? Where would I get that information?
No, as in “Back up what you said”.
You’re claiming something here. Show that it’s true or admit you were making it up.
As I’ve stated before Mike this is getting boring. We are all commenting on a blog and opinions are being given. In this particular instance what would you require as evidence? Airline receipts? Credit card receipts? Even you have to understand that is unreasonable and if that criteria were used there would be no comments whatsoever. What next? Sworn affidavits? Please!!!
Here we go again with the hands flailing in the air how dare you’s and “Backing up what I said isn’t necessary” nonsense.
YOU made a claim that Mr. Cannonier’s miles are closer to Dr. Brown’s than one might think.
That’s a pretty serious claim, considering the latter’s history of overspending on lavish trips.
You didn’t present it as an opinion, you presented it as something factual.
Asking you to back that up is not out of line.
So. Do you have ANY evidence to show that Mr. Cannonier is even remotely approaching the miles that Dr. Brown did?
You said it was “closer than you think”. Prove it.
What’s getting boring is guys like you coming on and smearing and spreading lies, then getting outraged when someone DARES ask you to have an ounce of integrity.
What does it matter how many miles and trips that’s irrelevant to the story. I think both of you are high jacking this thread and off topic. We need to discuss if this trip (story) is beneficial and if so how. When will the results be open for public scrutiny. Take it on case by case then tally it up in the end if that really matters to getting ahead and showing results. This is just a pissing match now between both of you.
Thank you for the fingerwagging.
Sorry that we’re not living up to your expectations of what should and shouldn’t be discussed on the thread.
Please forgive me for disappointing you.
You think Tortola is comparable to China, India, middle east? He isn’t trying to drum up business for himself either.
@ Sandy Bottom
Truth be told, you don’t even know if this meeting will be beneficial, so please take a break.
It’s a meeting, that’s all we know at this time.
On another note, how do you know he isn’t looking into business ideas that won’t benefit him personally?
Most human being are driven by self interest first!
I think the Sandy post was in answer to the post that said “he is racking up more miles than Ewart”.
He isn’t.
As for your other allegation, it’s ridiculous. You’re flinging mud and hoping some sticks.
When you all find out what you Premier is up to Ewart will be your Saint.
Meaning?
Or is this just yet another attempt at smearing the Premier with absolutely NOTHING to back it up.
So… what is “our Premier” up to? And why isn’t he “your Premier”? Aren’t you Bermudian?
Well at least someone finally admitted it.
If that be true,(which I do doubt)at least he is doing “constructive traveling” that will benefit the Island and all of its inhabitants for many years to come…If not mistaken he’d been invited and had accepted the invitation at no expense to any of us that do pay taxes
Not trying to defend Ewart, who I feel did more damage to the black community than any other premier, but why is it when Cannonier travels it’s “constructive travelling” but when the PLP travelled it was always a waste of time and tax payers money.
Please let’s have one standard for ALL politicians as it is the Bermudian people who suffer when money is wasted on travel.
And how can one say this trip will benefit Bermuda without any proof.
Check yourself. The same people who told you that Ewart did more damage to the black community than any other Premier are the same people who call Cannonier’s travel constructive. Be careful.
Nobody told me Ewart did more damage to the black community than any other premier I arrived at that conclusion having observed the ramifications myself. Of course many agree with that assessment but that only confirms my belief which can be substantiated.
As far as the same people now saying that Cannonier’s travel is constructive that is not true as there are two distinct groups in two distinct camps.
Does he have a large entourage with him? Does he have a security detail with him? Is he renting a fleet of SUV’s during the trip? If not there is no comparison to Ewart who stands alone for excess
How do you know he doesn’t? Seriously?
The vast majority of the times Dr. Brown’s travel was called a wast of taxpayers’ money was when it was. They, unlike with Mr. Cannonier, didn’t rant and rave every time he went away. They only did it when he went on lavish trips, with bodyguards, to places that had nothing to do with Bermuda or what we need, using the flimsiest of excuses.
And it wasn’t just the black community Dr. Brown damaged…
@ Mike Hind,
IF you don’t mind, please feel free to explain to me and others how Dr. Brown damaged the black community.
After, would you be willing to explain the damage that the UBP done to the black community of Bermuda?
We are on the topic, so I would love to hear your understanding of Bermuda’s history with regard to Government’s impact on it’s people.
Pardon me independent for answering your question to Mike Hind, I am sure he will answer you himself but in the mean time I couldn’t leave your question hanging!
I will answer you in reverse, first off that pesky UBP created an environment for all the investment that came into this island by starting the IB sector, the IB sector is totally responsible for all that the black population have today!! Many blacks never had a hope in hell of ever owning their own houses and by the way many whites were in the same position, while that pesky UBP were doing that it created a 110% employment situation for ALL Bermudians, many Bermudians would quit their jobs in the morning in the 1980 and 1990′s, and be full employed before the end of the day, that is something we don’t have now is it???
Onto Dreb, he and handbag were the beginning of the demise of all Bermudians and in particular the black community!! Their policies toward the very hand that was feeding us, led to a mass exodus of many foreigners which directly lead to the unemployment levels we have now!! I have to ask you, are you or any one you know, more well off now, than you were 10 yrs ago?? Off course you are not or them either!!! So, do you really have to ask what damage dreb did???
Their policies especially the one, that targeted me and many other Bermudians who happened to marry a non Bermudian with putting taxes on us owning a home in our own country single handedley created more carnage than you can ever imagine, I ( and I know I am by no means the only one ) shifted more money out of the economy than you can imagine!! I sold my house out of principle which lead to many Bermudians no longer being hired by me to do the regular maintanence on that house, and remember I said it was not only me!!! To this day I will not bring those assets back until I am fully confident that the plp will not be re elected!!!
You really need to open your eyes and see the real picture, listening to the nonsense of the plp propaganda machine will get you no where, I am for the betterment of all Bermudians, and after what the plp did to all Bermudians, I could never support them!!! I will not write a book here because I could go on and on about the carnage caused!!! Hopefully you get the point????
So until IB Blacks had nothing…..
OK – Dream on man.
Why don’t you try reading and comprehending what I wrote?? I clearly said many black and white people never had a hope in buying a house before the IB sector came here!!!
Can you please point out were I said blacks had nothing??? You wouldn’t be trying to distort what I said would you???
Now you are highjacking this thread and off topic. Was this trip worth it or not?
Um… I was responding and quoting the person I was responding to. Take it up with him.
I know you saw an in, but you might try reading what people actually wrote.
Just an idea.
This is pure conjecture as not one shred of evidence has been presented to substantiate your claims. It is nothing more then an opinion based on reading what was on other media.
Do agree that Ewart did hurt the white community as well.
So… wait. You’re seriously saying that Dr. Brown’s $4,000 per night hotel stays, etc. etc. You know, all the stuff that people were complaining about… is just my opinion?
Are you even remotely serious?
Are you HONESTLY telling me that there is “not one shred of evidence” that people had a reason to complain about Dr. Brown’s trips.
Are you kidding me?
There is AMPLE evidence. To say there isn’t is just plain ludicrous.
I hope you’re messing around, because THAT level of either delusion or dishonesty is disturbing.
Pure conjecture and not one shred of evidence?? I clearly said what I did when that discriminatory law against those Bermudians that married foreigners was put into play by Dreb and handbag!!! I also said I know of others that did the same thing!!! I didn’t think I had to show you or anyone else my financials to prove my point??? I will repeat, I sold my house out of principle and shifted a boat load of money out of here!! Those funds will not come back until I feel the plp will not get re elected, and I know of others doing the same!!!
This is one of the many problems the OBA have in turning this situation around!!!
The Public is not concerned how many miles he does, its about who’s paying for the Trips
and the Question would be are they necessary!
No way not even close. Ewart went all the way to South Africa for World Cup, India and Russia just to name a few. Get your facts straight mate.
So you are saying the Government Paid for his to go South Africa. Do you know that as a fact, or is that just what you are saying.
You are aware that 1/2 of the Aircraft on our Register are from Russia. I register that doubled in size while Ewart was minister or transport, which brought the country millions. Could it be that he was an engaged minister, or do you just wish to believe all the dumb hype?
Wow! It’s time for some popcorn
He’s been a busy boy admittedly. What would be interesting is to compare the entourage accompanied by Craig Cannonier vs DREB or the Cog. Also a breakdown of the destinations, potential for development, relevance to the territory (i.e. British Overseas Territories)and cost per trip would be telling.
Some of these trips within the overseas territories are unavoidable as there was a recent summit held in the UK over the OTs and there is certainly some concerns / discussion points which we all share (passports being one of them). Where I REALLY want to know the relevance is when a 1/2 dozen or more ministers / aides end up in a swanky hotel in a high worth destination staying in the high end suites.
Having been there (BVI), I can ASSURE you that there is but a couple of decent hotels in Tortola and the best of the bunch is on par (if) of a Marriott Courtyard and includes a free allocation of mosquitoes in the room to keep you company.
Considering the BOT population is around 250,000 or so (I think), we’re a small community and need to keep close together.
Very well put.
I wonder why there are only 3 ministers there are not…. 15…
I may not have voted for him or his party, but if Mr. Cannonier has to fly to the moon to represent my country and it’s people, let him go!!!
If he could fly to the moon on tax payers money rest assured he would.
and so would you! cuz i know id try to get on that flight
Let me know and I’ll pay for your ticket. First class right up there with the premier. One way though.
Where does this put our views on independence?
I say stay home Bermuda is in intensive care, time to get real
I hope the the visit was productive, I did not know that cruise ships came here from Tortola.
These trips (talks) are always “fruitful” but we never get any real details or idea of what really went on. I know some things are confidential but we get NOTHING and yes who else went on this trip?
Name calling is unproductive and derogatory.
We here are not second class citizens by a long shot ,we would much prefer to be referred to as a “Bermudians” living in “Bermuda”.
I consider it to be in bad taste and disrespectful to be referred to as :-
“British Overseas Territorial Citizens” or B.O.T.C.
and having our country referred to a” British Overseas Territory”. or B.O.T.
They can stop referring to us as Colonials living in the Colonies.
We are a colony whether you like it or not. As a colony Britain decides what we are called and they have decided to refer to their colonies as BODT. Period!
According to England’s officialdom there is no such thing as a Bermudian. Check it out.
The story says this was at the invitation of the British Virgin Islands Orlando Smith, but who paid the costs associated with the travel?
Premier Cannonier is doing a lot of traveling.
It seems like everything the OBA campaigned on, whether it was reduction in travel, referendum, not get ridding of term limits etc have been switched.
I remember the premier stating that lessons were learnt from the infamous jetgate incident early in his tenure. I also recall that he stated that a schedule of government travel would be posted on the Cabinet website. Can anyone tell me where that schedule is, under what heading in the website’s menu? I have scanned the website, but cannot find the schedule.
I do believe that government travel is an essential tool of diplomacy, business and/or government building relationships. But if you intend to show that it used both responsibily and with respect for the public purse, then why is it not listed on the Cabinet website?
What event is being attended, by whom, why and how many persons in the entourage should be readily available. It’s the backtracking of promises by this premier, lack of transparency and the perspection of waste of public funds that alarms Bermudians on travel by politicians.
London, England
What you’ve said makes a whole lot of sense particularly in light of what was stated by the OBA prior to the last election. Then they were promising transparency but now that word no longer exists in their dictionary.
There indeed should be a web-site set up providing information on who is travelling, why they are travelling, what the costs are and who is paying. Good place to start would be Government credit cards which would provide a wealth of pertinent information.
Still waiting for all the Chinese tourists, the Bollywood movie that was going to be shot here and all the foreign investment from Dubai. Oh…and for the real Plainum Period of tourism to start.
If you look on any map on Planet Earth you not find any destination named B.O.T. or Anglo / American Sea side Place for that matter, what we are dealing with here is actually the arrogance of political insensitivity.
Politricks again…they are both power happy…can’t we see that?