Comments on: Minister Crockwell’s Trip To London Cost $5,956

By: Dr. the Hon. Ewart F. Brown

Dr. the Hon. Ewart F. Brown — Wed, 04 Feb 2015 05:01:48 +0000

@Swing Voter…..For the record, I stayed in my private residence during my tenure as Premier. No, I did not ride a Mobylette, nor did I drive myself. My wife and stayed in the same hotels to which we were accustomed before I became Premier. As I told the media before I left office, Motel 6 was unacceptable.

By: Dr. the Hon. Ewart F. Brown

Dr. the Hon. Ewart F. Brown — Tue, 03 Feb 2015 16:20:43 +0000

Very interesting that you should use the words “very dark place”. Our emphasis on counter-racism gave many the impression that we were trying to literally make Bermuda a dark place indeed. Time will tell the true impact of our work as opposed to the concocted negativism of our detractors. The positive contributions of the Dockyard cruise terminal, the fast ferries, the Urgent Care Center, the testing center at TCD, the Hospitality Institute, the Big Conversation, the Indian scholarship program, the Sally Bassett statue,etc. will tell the real story.

By: Dreadlocks

Dreadlocks — Mon, 02 Feb 2015 16:30:19 +0000

How about that dozen or so that went to Barbados to watch cricket,on the taxpayers? Money well spent!

By: Joe Cottereaux

Joe Cottereaux — Mon, 02 Feb 2015 14:35:01 +0000

Valirie, my bad, I did not know there was a time limit on stupidity. for future reference, please clarify the expiration date on your lack of comprehension and poor reading ability, so that I may respond during your appropriate time frame.

By: Valirie Marcia Akinstall

Valirie Marcia Akinstall — Mon, 02 Feb 2015 11:57:22 +0000

“I make occasional comments on the blogs…” I would venture to say that you have made ‘strategic’ comments on political issues that were contentious during your watch as premier.

Travel expenses became very controversial as the Government travel budget exploded exponentially under your tenure.

I have travelled to China to attended a conference, and when taking into consideration air flight time, in transit time and time zone differences, I agree that it leaves you drained.

However, the airfare at first class to China and back, especially within 48 hours, would have been in excess of $12,000 for one person, even more than 4 years ago.

As you compare your China visit expenses vs Chinese companies that incorporated in Bermuda as a result, it may well have been worth the total expense for you and your entourage, however, I do not have the facts on either.

But overall your tenure put Bermuda in a very dark place and you drained more than your uplifted the economy and the people of Bermuda.

London, England

By: Valirie Marcia Akinstall

Valirie Marcia Akinstall — Mon, 02 Feb 2015 11:34:04 +0000

Thank you.

I should have goolged it. We have national ‘drinks’, dish and the list goes on…

Thanks again.

By: .am

.am — Mon, 02 Feb 2015 04:18:41 +0000

Commenting on a blog does not make you a blogger. It makes you a commentor.

It’s a simple concept. Really.

By: .am

.am — Mon, 02 Feb 2015 04:10:35 +0000

Doesn’t it say “who where in the UK attending other prearranged meetings”?

At least, that’s what I read. And copied. And pasted.

By: MAKE MY DAY

MAKE MY DAY — Mon, 02 Feb 2015 01:30:40 +0000

OH – he made sure that he had the best of everything!! He was rubbing the BDA Tax Payers noses-in-it – with delight!!

But, thankfully Brown is a political has-been and will NOT get his hands on another “dime”!!

By: MAKE MY DAY

MAKE MY DAY — Mon, 02 Feb 2015 01:26:41 +0000

That $2 BILLION deficit will never be paid off!! There is simply NOT enough revenue coming in – and there won’t be in the future!!

The PLP in effect “bankrupted” BDA – and NO one stopped them!! How ironic that is!

By: MAKE MY DAY

MAKE MY DAY — Mon, 02 Feb 2015 01:23:16 +0000

The PLP would have “tripled” that price and then some!! Thank God that Brown and Co. are in the political wilderness – hopefully for good!!

By: De Winna

De Winna — Mon, 02 Feb 2015 00:03:42 +0000

This crazy frenzied madness – of everytime a MP flys out for business is getting real stupid!
$6000 for 5 people to go to the UK is a steal. — come on folks what are you expecting the cost to be $200 dollars.
Nobodys saying nothing about the PLP”s elaborate trips of expensive luxury. — some of there Trips we know nothing
about.– the ex Premier Dr Browns sneak trip when he bought illegals here to live takes the cake.— a hundred Jet-gates
wouldn’t beat that.
The story the same every time.– next!!!!

By: 32n64w

32n64w — Sun, 01 Feb 2015 23:30:23 +0000

First class on BA is closer to $10k. $4k for business is a good price.

By: Dr. the Hon. Ewart F. Brown

Dr. the Hon. Ewart F. Brown — Sun, 01 Feb 2015 18:12:31 +0000

The Finance Minister is not the middle man. He is THE man. What would make you think that I would know that number more than four years after leaving office?
I make occasional comments on the blogs, but it usually turns so boring when certain hooded bloggers make childish observations such as the ones above about travel.
Bermuda is NOT top of mind for airlines, prospective investors and major industry meetings. As much as we might think of ourselves as an important, the raw truth is that Bermuda is relatively remote. Our leaders must travel frequently as part of the effort of pushing our agenda. I cannot think of a single trip , whether it was to India, Dubai or Argentina, where the rationale and return on investment was not solid.
Bloggers may think that these places are simply exotic destinations, but I can tell that a 48-hour journey to Beijing and back was no fun!

By: jt

jt — Sun, 01 Feb 2015 16:58:44 +0000

That wouldn’t cover overtime…at 2x…1.5 or straight.

By: Herb

Herb — Sun, 01 Feb 2015 16:38:57 +0000

Actually vmakinstall, The Cahow is our national bird.

By: Creamy

Creamy — Sun, 01 Feb 2015 14:20:51 +0000

I don’t know. It is possible you made a mistake. The return first class fare is about $9,000 – $10,000 including taxes. You can’t get first class for $4,000.

By: Raymond Ray

Raymond Ray — Sun, 01 Feb 2015 13:50:11 +0000

I see Dr. Ewart Brown and his bodyguard, Col. David Burch are coming out, (from where-ever they’ve been lately)

By: Raymond Ray

Raymond Ray — Sun, 01 Feb 2015 13:45:33 +0000

Out of curiosity, what did it cost the Progressive Labour Party / the Bermudian Taxpayers to send the Gombeys off to Europe etc.? Also what have we benefited from spending all them dollars ?

By: Just Curious

Just Curious — Sun, 01 Feb 2015 13:37:07 +0000

Yes because they all realize that the PLP will fill their empty appartments. you disrespected me boo hoo grow the hell up bunch of children .

By: Valirie Marcia Akinstall

Valirie Marcia Akinstall — Sun, 01 Feb 2015 13:21:49 +0000

@Joe Cottereaux

It’s Valirie…

Why would you reply to a comment and its correction one day late with such a pedantic remark?

This is not kindergarten nor a blog to insult in order to get noticed, or is it?

London, England

By: Brian

Brian — Sun, 01 Feb 2015 13:20:17 +0000

Why don’t you forgo the little game of go through the middle man and give us the information yourself? I hate the politricks just get to the truth.

By: Am

Am — Sun, 01 Feb 2015 12:56:42 +0000

Really ….. brown travel cost a country

By: Creamy

Creamy — Sun, 01 Feb 2015 12:41:12 +0000

The article says “specifically” why he needed to be there.
If you’ve never actually been in a busness meeting perhaps that’s why you think they can all be done over the phone or by video conference. And that’s why you think one person should have gone alone, travelling in economy, staying at the Budget Inn 30 miles from London, eating in sandwich shops. It’s because you are an idiot.

By: Creamy

Creamy — Sun, 01 Feb 2015 12:33:04 +0000

Um, they have had their hands full doing actual work. It would waste their time talking to a little prick suggesting they ask BA for free bulkhead seats, or whatever bright idea you have today.

By: Creamy

Creamy — Sun, 01 Feb 2015 12:30:04 +0000

It’s Business Class, which is reasonable. Stop being such a prick.

By: Joe Cottereaux

Joe Cottereaux — Sun, 01 Feb 2015 11:25:54 +0000

islandguy: unfortunately, none of us problem solvers are in government. we can’t even get government to return our phone calls or meet with us in person.

now if I had my own private jet, that is a good door opener.

By: Joe Cottereaux

Joe Cottereaux — Sun, 01 Feb 2015 11:21:16 +0000

Valaria, the cost is for Crockwell ONLY. did you not do well in English Comprehension in grade school?

By: Joe Cottereaux

Joe Cottereaux — Sun, 01 Feb 2015 11:19:40 +0000

what specifically is the “country’s business” that required Crockwell attendance when 5 other BDA officials also attended? the presentation was INFORMATIONAL and likely lasted 1-2 hours tops. nothing that could not be done via video conferencing.

can you say Christmas shopping in the UK?

By: Joe Cottereaux

Joe Cottereaux — Sun, 01 Feb 2015 11:15:54 +0000

what website are you using? Expedia lists BDA to London coach tickets on BA for around $1,959.20, in this month, and in March. you book coach and the emergency exit row, or a bulkhead seat.

By: vmakinstall

vmakinstall — Sun, 01 Feb 2015 08:09:57 +0000

@ Al Williams…

Gombey One?

Naming it after a bird, and I would have thougth that Longtail is the national bird, would sound more appropriate.

I remember something in the Throne Speech about an airline, but the details were quite sparse.

London, England

By: vmakinstall

vmakinstall — Sun, 01 Feb 2015 08:02:10 +0000

And if you say so it must be true and British Airways is being deceptive…

London, England

By: Alvin Williams

Alvin Williams — Sun, 01 Feb 2015 03:29:39 +0000

Bermuda should have long ago gotten it’s own government plane Gombey One; than we would not have to worry about where the money went; but than under this government in order to hide it’s trips from the people of Bermuda the plane would probably have the latest stealth advancements-witness the use of government cars with their change license plates.

By: Mockingjay

Mockingjay — Sun, 01 Feb 2015 03:10:27 +0000

And I’m still having a problem to travel for a joint.
Aint this some S!@#+

By: Build a Better Bermuda

Build a Better Bermuda — Sun, 01 Feb 2015 03:05:15 +0000

Actually I did a check, regular fare on BA is just over $4k

By: BETTTYTRUMP

BETTTYTRUMP — Sun, 01 Feb 2015 02:47:02 +0000

Read carefully as the OBA fans will find all kinds of ways and excuses to defend this one…..why not the OBA…..really

By: pitbull

pitbull — Sun, 01 Feb 2015 02:00:58 +0000

Behave Terry

By: Build a Better Bermuda

Build a Better Bermuda — Sun, 01 Feb 2015 01:53:20 +0000

Just did a quick search on round trip flights to London from Bermuda on BA, average flight for anything over a month out… $4,000, and that was the lowest rate available. You could get a lower rate flying through US, but then you would be travelling anywhere from 15 to 24 hours.

By: Build a Better Bermuda

Build a Better Bermuda — Sun, 01 Feb 2015 01:41:52 +0000

I would definitely say that was on the expensive side, but would add flights to London are far from reasonable, would how far in advance this trip was planned for them to have gotten as good a rate as possible… but still, the rates suck. The hotel looks about right and I must say the meals looks a little low.

By: Creamy

Creamy — Sun, 01 Feb 2015 00:21:33 +0000

It’s not a first class fare.

By: Ringmaster

Ringmaster — Sat, 31 Jan 2015 23:46:42 +0000

Odd that the poster using the name of Dr. the Hon Ewart F. Brown doesn’t comment here. One would think he would want to set the record straight, assuming the person is who he says he is.

By: Ringmaster

Ringmaster — Sat, 31 Jan 2015 23:40:10 +0000

I agree, but you would know.

By: more than enough

more than enough — Sat, 31 Jan 2015 23:36:57 +0000

over 20 million

By: Self

Self — Sat, 31 Jan 2015 23:35:34 +0000

Laugh all you like, the PLP will get back in power. The OBA have turned off so many people in such a short span of time. Many former PLP supporters that gave them a chance, wish that they hadn’t. The PLP supporters that stayed away from the polls are vowing to return next time.
The OBA has had too many disgraces and scandals in a short span of time. Sure, the PLP had many as well, but when you vote for a change it’s a turnoff. Plus, the OBA is too aloof and far removed from the average man. The events of the last few days should be a big indication of where people’s heads are.

By: Dr. the Hon. Ewart F. Brown

Dr. the Hon. Ewart F. Brown — Sat, 31 Jan 2015 23:04:05 +0000

Ask the Finance Minister how many Chinese companies have incorporated in Bermuda since 2008.

By: Dr. the Hon. Ewart F. Brown

Dr. the Hon. Ewart F. Brown — Sat, 31 Jan 2015 23:00:13 +0000

I doubt that Premier Cannonier paid that much for one night.

By: Terry

Terry — Sat, 31 Jan 2015 22:20:20 +0000

Bawahaaaaaa…..
“when the PLP get back”.
You mean in power?
I have some Somali pirate vessels for sale……………………………….

By: Terry

Terry — Sat, 31 Jan 2015 22:17:24 +0000

Blown out of proportion.

The others must have footed their own fare or got freebies.

All this back and forth.

The Minister went on behalf of Bermuda.

Get over it.

By: Lawry

Lawry — Sat, 31 Jan 2015 22:10:55 +0000

Basically I think both parties’s MPs are in cahoots when it comes to dishing out the extra’s. Amazingly, I am not aware of any reports that a cross party group of MPs travelled to Trinidad – apparently on some sort of Parliamentary fact finding mission. Check it out Bernews.

By: filobedo21

filobedo21 — Sat, 31 Jan 2015 20:53:00 +0000

And pray tell who took things to a whole new level; wages increases for MP’s, and they had to be higher than the salary of the highest paid CS. And overspending went from there!