Premier & PLP Leader On No Confidence Motion
After the passage of two Opposition Bills last night in Parliament, Opposition Leader David Burt tabled a Motion of No Confidence in the Government, saying that the Government must “operate with the confidence of the House, and if the Government loses confidence of the House then it’s time for the people to go back to the polls for an election.”
Following the Motion, Premier Michael Dunkley said it “doesn’t really come as a surprise,” and they will deal with it in an “appropriate way” as the “Government stands very proudly on our record,” with the Premier adding, ”Every decision we make is around pulling our people forward together and we’ll continue to do that work.”
Opposition Leader David Burt’s Comments
“After the passage of two Opposition Bills today in Parliament, at the close of Parliament, I tabled a Motion of No Confidence in the Government,” Mr Burt told Bernews last night at the House.
“What a Motion of No Confidence in the Government means is that under our constitution, the Government must continue to operate with the confidence of the House, and if the Government loses confidence of the House then it’s time for the people to go back to the polls for an election.
“In our view, it was right and proper,” Mr Burt added. “That we would table a Motion of No Confidence, and we would test the confidence of this House.
“It’s important that Bermuda has a strong and stable Government. It’s important that the country has a Government that represents the views and feelings of the people inside this country, and we felt that it was necessary for us to table this Motion. It’s the responsibility of the Opposition at all times to test the confidence of the House. That is what we did today.
When asked what would happen if the vote of No Confidence were to pass, Mr. Burt, said, “If the vote of No Confidence were to pass, then that would mean that the Premier would need to go to Government House and would call an election.”
Premier Michael Dunkley’s Comments
Speaking late last night, the Premier told Bernews, “The Motion of No Confidence that was laid by the Opposition Leader earlier this evening doesn’t really come as a surprise.”
“With the bold announcements of an election date by the Opposition Leader a couple of weeks ago, we suspected that there might be something on the table.
“We will deal with it in an appropriate way. This Government stands very proudly on our record. With the first three or four years it was tough sledding for us, because we took over in a very difficult position, but we’ll stand up, we’ll deal with that Motion.
“We’ve made tremendous progress, unlike the Opposition who think that the sky continues to fall every day. We’ve made solid progress and we do care for the people. Every decision we make is around pulling our people forward together and we’ll continue to do that work.”
Just what bermuda needs mr,but as our leader. Arrogant, non professional and to grow our debt again.
I wish the Premier would call the election after America’s Cup. Everyone is getting tired of the 2 Bermuda’s and those who say it doesn’t exist are living a ubp/oba lie.
Why else would they change the name from UBP to UBP/OBA?
If you had confidence in the voters/PEOPLE you would call it, but since you don’t confidence in the people the people have no confidence in you as a LEADER.
Hell call it in 2025 when the plp releases there big save Bermuda plan.
I will take debt over racism any day…Go Burt get rid of the OBA they are no good for the people of Bermuda…We are starting to go back to the 50s and 60s….peppers spraying our seniors for protesting peacefully and the list goes on and on they must go!!!!!
He wouldnt call an election yet, swing voters need to get paid first.
Burt says this the week the AC begins…..
Shameful, opportunistic politics.
And once again quick to accuse, slow to offer anything of substance.
OBA has doubled our debt in four years…. we are paying over half a million in interest everyday. You wont see that though will you?? Nope.
That’s a fiction perpetuated by PLP supporters keen on rewriting history.
After the PLP put us 50 billion in debt!!
Well if you have a better idea to pay off the debt that was left to the OBA I’m sure the finance minister would welcome your suggestions.
I know jadon we will be paying the plp’s note forever.
Bermuda for Bermudians – first
As it should be in any country – your own come first. No more UBP excuses as to why not!
BURT math will = Bermuda for the IMF
Bermuda for expats – first
Typical nonsense from David Burt, on the eve of the biggest event in Bermuda history. The worlds eyes are on Bermuda and David wants the country to be dragged down for his own personal gains…..people need to wake up to the this guy.
So a democratic election will somehow tarnish Bermuda’s reputation?
Glad you believe in democracy.
Next you’ll be saying all laws apply equally to everyone. What progress that will be.
but its ok to block access to the House of Assembly?? So you can pick and choose what aspects of democracy you like?? Cant have it both ways!
The PLP should rebrand as the POP. Party Over the People.
disgusting.
ubp/oba left us with this economic disparity based on race.
and will not admit it
They have to call an election pretty much by dec anyway. It’s just around the corner. If there were 2 years left until the next election, this move would have more credibility. As of now, it’s just a stunt.
Totally agree that it’s just another of the PLP’s political stunts but I think it’s already been clarified that an election can be called as late as May of 2018
Agree – stupid stunt!
It is possible that the election could be held as late as the first week of May 2018.
Election not required until May of next year.
I’d still like to see Burt’s plan to stimulate the economy.
I’d like to see the OBAs’ post AC plan.
Seen it – airport, hotels, sports tourism, stimulate overseas investment, reduce the deficit and start to pay down the debt, while reducing government costs by attrition rather than mass firings.
Bob is doing a good job, as the ratings agencies attest, and it’s a difficult job because of mess caused by the sheer incompetence by the PLP under Cox, Brown, Burt and Co.
And that’s without BS christian conservatism beloved of the lying PLP
We have seen it. His plan is to use the pension pot to finance start-ups. It is the most ignorant morally bankrupt idea I have ever heard!
It involves deep sea mining and it all happens starting in 2025. Beyond that, some of the details are a bit vague.
He already told us his plan.
He wants to use our pensions to fund risky start-ups.
The Alliance is dead. The upstarts that started the BDA are divided….the ones with courage have left…the others that remain, well you have to ask them how/why they came to heel
A Premier losing a vote of no confidence doesn’t necessarily mean an election will or must be called:
Bda Constitution Order 1968
Tenure of office of Premier and other Ministers
59 (1) If the House of Assembly by the affirmative votes of a majority of all the
members thereof passes a resolution that it has no confidence in the Government, the
Governor shall, by instrument under the Public Seal, revoke the Premier’s appointment:
Provided that before so doing the Governor shall consult with the Premier and may
dissolve the Legislature in accordance with the provisions of section 49(1) of this
Constitution instead of revoking the Premier’s appointment.
The Governor may choose to see if another member of the House of Assembly could form a government and could try a few times before deciding to dissolve the Legislature and call and General Election.
It will happen in a few months anyway
Only if the Premier agrees. The Governor may revoke the Premier’s appointment, but It’s up to the Premier whether to allow another person to form the Govt or whether we go to the Polls.
Anything that might happen as a result of this stupid move is well documented and will be called ‘Waterunder The Gate Bridge’.
Look at the webcam from dockyard. The place is jammed with people and vessels are even moring on the southern side of the canber.
Never before……………………….
OBA supporters should block the house so Burt cannot table the motion.
I bet the people who blocked it in December would be outraged, but I also bet that these demonstrators would not be pepper sprayed
Because they respect the law that upholds democracy and do not make spectacles of themselves.
PLP trying any means necessary to get back into Power – no matter how much damage it does to Bermuda. Bermuda for ALL Bermudians – not just Burt’s version of Bermudians……….horrible horrible man leading a horrible horrible party that first and only reason to exist is for themselves.
SO ridiculous. I have zero confidence in the PLP. Their supporters seem to want to be lemmings headed for the edge of the cliff.
SO Burt found his way to try and disrupt the AC anyway. Well done PLP.
David Burt is a dangerous and arrogant little man. Drunk on his own perception of power. Along with Mr crockwell and Mr Pettingill you have the most nasty opportunists in the history of bermuda. PLP/UBP – taking bermuda backwards one selfish politician at a time.
PLP and their leader. I HAVE NO I REPEAT NO, not an iota of confidence in your ability to run this island other than into the ground deeper than your previous parties attempt when in power.
Lip service is not going to win the next election. How we move forward on healthcare, education, security and managing our money is at the top of my list. The Party with the best plan wins.
In that case, based on past performance & lack of any current plan other than planning to have a plan, the PLP should lose by a massive landslide.
The PLP will lose the election
Yup.
Tourism on the up & up, a hotel about to break ground in St Georges, Cruise Ships in St Georges, Pink Beach rebuilt & re opened, ground finally broken on a new terminal at half the cost of a PLP proposal, business up in any category you care to mention. Then there is some little boat race that has stimulated all kinds of activity on the water.
And Burt wants to call for a vote of no confidence!!!!! Give us a break!
His colleagues need to call a vote of no confidence in their so-called leader.
I so tired of the HATE, I am a fourth generation Bermudian, so please let us all reunite!!
These near hysterical posting demonstrate the shallowness of the OBA supporters.
MPs Pettingill and Crockwell both left the OBA after losing confidence in the leadership of Premier Dunkley. MP Crockwell was scathing in his comments when he resigned and MP Pettingill castigated the OBA during the final debate over the airport.
It appears as though they are prepared to take the next logical step.
One option for the OBA is for them to elect a new leader. Not sure who it would be but choosing MP Richards would be a non starter.
Quo Fata Ferunt!!
That newly elected leader would still have to demonstrate to the Governor that they can command a majority in the House of Assembly in order to be appointed as the Premier. They, too, would inevitably face a vote of no confidence initiated by the Opposition should the Governor go out on a limb and appoint them.
David Burt said gay people will not be left behind in the next election what he really meant is we are putting them back in the closet because he has an unprogressive mind and is using his old UBP Wayne to do it for him what other nonsense will they get up to when they get their hands on the cash drawer
If David Burt loses the vote of no confidence, will he take the honorable and correct position and resign?
Now…on the other hand.,.if you were to pass a no arrogance motion you would be correct…
Shallowness?
The PLP have a vision, no plan, and even that vision is seriously flawed.
The PLP were a complete disaster in Government and you want them back?
What on earth is the reason? Skin colour?
Ohhhhhhhhhh what a tangled web we weave when we practice to deceive.
Just behave and pass me some cannabis gummies please…ahm got aurtheritis and require some DAT medicinal marijuana….mmmkaaay?!?
Never approach a bull from the front,a hose from the rear or a fool from any direction…
People do you still have a Job? Did you get a job under the OBA? While you may want more you should be content that your quality of life has not declined. When PLP was in power I lost my job. Life was not easy. Now I have a job……so my vote is simple. OBA.
If the plp were ever to get in power again you all can kiss your island away…the banks will own you.
Well said Real Onion! What a disaster we would have on this island. If the PLP got back in.How would any person vote for PLP. It just goes to show you it is about race and not who can serve Bermuda to its fullest. What a bunch of haters. Keep up the fantastic work OBA. Enjoyed your talk this morning MR PREMIER! You are the best!
Here we go again the status quo vs. the perceived disenfranchised.
The devil you know vs. The devil you know !