OBA Leader: ‘Weakest Throne Speech Presented’
“This by far is the weakest and least impressive Throne Speech presented,” Opposition Leader Cole Simons said today [Nov 5], adding that “the people of Bermuda deserve better.”
Mr Simons said, “Today I stand here shedding a tear for Bermuda. I have been in the House for 23 years and this by far is the weakest and least impressive Throne Speech presented.
“It appears that the that the Government has lost the plot and is short of details on which the people of Bermuda can hang their hats on.
“The Country is still in a pandemic and the people of Bermuda wants comfort that we have this under control and that we are on the way to rebuilding our economy. The people of Bermuda is looking for leadership, hope, direction, and comfort. They want assurances from our Government that things are under control, and that the Country will be on a path for social cohesion and economic recovery.
“The Government has thrown around high level concepts with very little detail which will show how peoples’ lives will really impacted.
“In fact, it has left us seeking clarity. What is meant by, “Changes that were deferred have now become imperative for survival”?
“Are these constitutional changes? Immigration reform? Why leave the public to make assumptions instead of openly stating what it is referring to.
“Regarding the Economic Recovery Plan that the island so desperately needs, why is the Government continuing to pay for a bloating Civil Service. The fat needs to be trimmed and it needs to be sooner than later.
“The last thing Bermuda needs is a lost generation. It is imperative that we get the Bermuda Public Education System right. While we appreciate that it’s important for students to be aware of the trajectory of their education, and hence the introduction of signature schools, we have to ask the question? Why now? It seems like it’s being rushed. Students have struggled with the instability of the school system due to the pandemic…only now having to prepare for major change in the near future?
“There are higher priorities for education right now, including the continual improving for the quality of teaching and more support for students in the classroom.
“The One Bermuda Alliance is pondering…what does an integrated Health Care Model look like? While we give the Government credit for recognising that the current system is failing and needed to be revamped, will it be equitable for all? We’ve noticed that the interests of women are being addressed but what about males?
“What is being done to address the cost of implementing a new healthcare system and what is going to happen in the interim as the Government transitions from one system to the next. How will it be sustainable as we have a shrinking working population?
“The One Bermuda Alliance finds it incomprehensible that the Government is asking the Third Sector to lean on the private sector for funding. Charities cannot afford to take out loans at this time. It is not a sustainable model for their longevity.
“Regarding CCTV…the current islandwide system was implemented in the not to distant past. Why introduce a new system instead of enhancing the existing? It seems to me like another way to waste Government coffers when the monies could be better spent. What about addressing gun violence and road safety?
“It feels as if the days of the Bermuda Tourism Authority are numbered. One can’t help but to see the writing on the wall which clearly states it’s being dismantled and the Government is looking at taking back the control of the Tourism reigns.
“Let’s be honest..who can forget then Tourism Minister Zane DeSilva clearly stating on the floor of the House of Assembly….’We are going to rip out the engine.’
“Again, the OBA is disappointed with the fluff presented today. The people of Bermuda deserve better. You will hear more in depth from us during next week’s Throne reply.”
You’re not wrong, but where are you every other day of the week? The PLP is full of it and OBA is nowhere!!! There is so much you could say so often. Be in their face! Be the opposition that they were!
The PLP makes a great opposition and a lousy government. Don’t let people forget that or sweep it under a rug!
Hhahaha!!! OBA cannot do any better.
HAHAHAHA!
My thoughts exactly! Can you write a throne speech? The OBA need to do better just like the PLP needs to do better. That’s why we have ppl suffering on the island at the hands of the people who run the country. Unfair!
Well, we’ll all get to see when the “official reply” is read this week. Then we can judge.
Interesting that the emperor is put already, doing the rounds explaining why the throne speech was lack lustre and engaged in damage limitation.
Best opportunity to stick it in, let’s hope they don’t let us down.
Hmmm..objective reality is somewhat different. The only green shoots of growth since 1998 happened under the OBA’s watch.
I thought you complimented them as being Gombeys, who are rich in Bermuda’s culture and heritage. So much better than the present Government which is very anti Bermudian.
OBA’s last election results “by far is the weakest and least impressive”, so has their performance since. Step your own game up & give Bermuda a viable alternative. Rather than wasting time being a back seat heckler party, come up with alternative ideas so we the voters feel you actually have something worthwhile to offer.
Exactly
It wouldn’t take much to do better than this lot. Get the trash picked up, run buses, keep schools open, issue work permits quickly enough that businesses don’t have to close, and they’ll look like miracle workers. The only successes the PLP have had have been OBA projects coming to fruition. The PLP lost the Southampton Princess and a thousand jobs overnight.
OBA we are trying so hard to vote for you
how much monies have come out the coffers for that airport?
Not as much as one year of PLP deficits.
Cole Simmons is right on the money, it was a lack lustre throne speech delivered by an incompetent government. But the real question is, so what?
Bermudians are so wrapped up in race and the past, they so blinded by hatred of anything OBA, that they are prepared to vote continuously against their self interest.
And what of the OBA, back bench heckling or are they going to deliver hard arguments against the PLP and become a viable alternative?
The only good thing for Bermuda, is that the PLP are so breathtakingly incompetent, 90% of this will never, ever get done.
For years the PLP were masters of being in Opposition. No responsibilities and great at being negative. For over 20 years they have had “power” but have no clue how to use it for the benefit of Bermuda. “Our time now” and settle old scores is still their main objective while the majority suffer, but many still don’t know it.
Why would the OBA want to be voted back in after what happened between 2012 – 2017? The PLP bankrupted Bermuda, let them face the consequences.
What happened between 2012-2017?
Green shoots of recovery, capital projects, increases in tourism, sports events, balance of payments….studies into what to do about the PLP debt.
Oh yeah, and bad tempered tooth sucking resentful Bermudians marching on Parliament.
And what happened since? Nothing. Burt failed to capitalise on any of it.
Seems no matter what OBA says, does or do, it is never good enough for many people. They are are asking questions re PLP’s decisions and querying same as they should. Constituency 3 any voted in Ms. Foggo to represent them showing confidence in her to look out for them. Ms Foggo has not been seen, heard or contacted anyone re the closure of the school, the overgrown streets, the roadside railings, assisting with employment for some. Doing what is/was expected from her. Have a pictureop, she will be there. St. David’s deserves better than what has and is being handed to them. Curtis Richardson, see you walking around, are you going to speak up for your home turf? CHALLENGE!!!!
The UBP was the orchestra of race that’s why they change the name to OBA. Running from the past is not easy and the voters have departed and left the you 6 seats. I suspect the next election you will use Mr. Jarion Richardson as leader to try and sway black voters to return.
Jarion take a very close look at how the obaUBP has treated all your black predecessors.
And all you do is piss and moan about the UBP. get over it. Look at the here and now.
from perhaps the weakest Opposition leader in history. I wonder what the reply will be like and what solutions he will present.
He asks “why now?” about education reform? How about “why not now?” Education reform has been needed for years and I am pleased that this government is getting on with it. There is never a perfect time but it is beyond clear that we need education reform. Education reform was on the PLP platform and the voters spoke loud and clear last year. OBA would be well served to just let the government lead on education reform as i doubt the OBA Mps have any children in the government system anyway.
EDUCATION .
Spare the rod and spoil the child !
Throne speeches are a waste of time. Very little that is announced ever gets started.
Bermuda has only two irons in the fire, international business and tourism what are the third , fourth and fifth plus going to be ?
The Blue suits don’t know and don’t care.
How about reducing the cost of living by half !
Lottery !
Reduce greedy taxes !
Universal Price control !
Eliminate price gouging !
Revise T.C.D policy to keep cars on the road longer
Improve efficiency !
Fiscal Prudence! !
Accountability !
Discount on all hotel rooms >>> Half a cake is better than no cake at all <<<.
Safer roads usage for our visitors.
Performance evaluations. ratings 1 / 100