Audio: Curtis Dickinson On His Resignation
Former Finance Minister Curtis Dickinson has shed light on the reasons behind his resignation, providing a ‘personal explanation’ in the House of Assembly today, where he spoke on the finances, the Fairmont Southampton deal and more.
He said, “The quantum of and form of the Government’s support of the redevelopment of the Fairmont Southampton were the primary reasons behind my resignation. First and foremost, I want to make it abundantly clear that I was, and still am, supportive of a level of financial support for this project.
“However, I was and continue to be unable to ignore the principals and judgment gained through my over 30 years of experience in investment and commercial banking,” he added.
Please note due to a tech issue on our end [sorry!] the audio below is missing a short section of the start, however the 18-minute audio includes the vast majority of Mr Dickinson’s statement:
Without wishing to take sides here, I have to ask all fellow Bermudians, is David Burt the man to take Bermuda forward for the next 3 to 4 years? We all must admit that he really does not have all Bermudians wellbeing on his agenda. Come on all you backbenchers, you’ll probably still get elected at the next general election, but seriously you surely can no longer support this particular individual and his misguided agenda. Wake up Bermuda, regardless of your political affiliation.
This proves Burt is an issue and we need to put him out! Rise up my PLP brothers and sisters! PLP all the way and all the way PLP!
PLP backbenchers won’t do anything except agree with Burt. Go against Burt and you will be replaced. They are too scared to lose their well paid jobs, money and benefits they couldn’t get if they had to find work outside Government. It’s a depressing situation, and imo the OBA don’t want to win an election, look what happened after 2012.
Now if Curtis Dickenson could get a number of like minded, ethical experienced and principled people to join him in a new Party, then Bermuda might be in for better times.
Loyalty in your home , boardroom or club for example is key and you know it. I remember one member resigning as a Minister in 2009. The voters still kicked him out in 2012. Backbenchers have little power abd must request issues raised by constituents be addressed. If you are patient most are done. You do a lot of talking as a Backbencher but as Minister the system that exist allows you to make policy and get more done.So backbenchers are reluctant to break ranks because you won’t be seeing a Ministerialship.
Burt was never the man to take Bermuda anywhere? He was unfortunately the best that the PLP had to offer at the time. He definitely has many of the attributes (like D.E.B.)that makes him a great politician. but that does not necessarily make him a great leader or a great businessperson.
We have enough career politicians like W.F. that “talk the talk” and we need to STOP THIS PARTY B.S. where so many people blindly support someone / anyone just because they are on their team / political party.
The island is divided by race and the only people that changed between both parties are black Bermudians. So what does that tell you about white Bermudians who don’t swing like you? It says you all sit, blog, complain and are possibly racist.
Just remember that there’s more black Bermudians who will only ever vote PLP than there is white voters who don’t !
True and that’s why the UBP had to change it’s name and look for more John Swans. Now they have the best opposition ever. (smile)
The UBP did not change its name to OBA. Stop lying and learn about Bermuda’s political history.
The ubp changed its name because of its racist past. The oba is the UBP. Get over it and sit down in your 6 seats. Cole will not win any elections for you and neither will jetgate or milk man.
Agreed 100%! PLP will continue to win and BDA will continue to lose.
Yayyyyyy…
“The ubp changed its name because of its racist past.”
The UBP did NOT change its name to OBA, but don’t let the truth spoil a good lie!
The PLP should change its name due to it’s oppression of LGBT Bermudians.
The oppressed have become the oppressor…no better than those who oppressed them, worse even.
The PLP told the voters before the last election what rules they played by and won 30-6. Now go sit in a corner and continue to complain.
I’m not sitting in a corner, I’m laughing at you from over here
I don’t care about your glee at being able to discriminate. I’m laughing at your hypocrisy. I’m laughing at the fact that you persuaded the privy council to allow rights to be legislated away
Your rights may be next. LOL
I don’t care, because I live in a first world country, I just take money from Bermudians, like you.
Why would any other party want to win the next election. This is your mess and debt so you can clean it up. And when the UBP were in power we all had jobs.
I hope i am wrong but Mission Impossible for any party at this point to get us back on track !
Whites only make up 1/3 of the Bermuda population so how much difference does their vote make?
As far as voting PLP goes, give one good reason that whites would want to vote PLP. The PLP sent whites the message long ago. “We don’t care what you think”. “It is our turn now”. “Keep your eye on the prize”.
Why would anyone, least of all whites, vote for such a blatantly racist party?
You should ask why all your black voters that help the UBP/oba win why they departed from your party! Pretty sure they felt the same about a blatantly racist party they left giving you 30-6.
Why can’t you answer the simple question posed above? Why would whites support the PLP in droves when throughout their history (right up to today) they overtly express their disdain for them?
But really, who gives a f**k. You are still looking for someone to blame for your miserable existence.
The reason your life is turning to dogsh*t is because you, and many others, continue to vote for an incompetent bunch of racists, homophobes and fiscally imprudent halfwits.
Don’t blame the OBA.
You’re a clear example why the oba won 6 seats. Calm down Will Sm—.
Ah, it’s my fault. It’s the OBS’s fault… it’s never the PLPs fault. Is it? Ever.
The island is screwed. The economy is in tatters. We have homophobes, liars and racists in government … but yeah, all my fault.
Jesus.
The blatantly racist party is the PLP.
You shouldn’t lie, SWINGER, god doesn’t like it.
This is bull. SP was not the primary reason. He said it was over the course if a year a gap grew implying many things
Wow, intelligent, ethical, analytical, appreciates good ideas regardless of who’s ideas they are, puts Bermuda’s interests at the forefront. Truthful, transparent, a man of integrity; step aside Premier Burt, Premier Designate Dickinson, the Premier for all the people; is ready to lead us into the next chapter of prosperity, inclusion and he definitely has a moral compass that will serve us well, everyone; in this great Country!
Please PLP send this man to the Governor to be sworn in, the country needs him.
Wonderful comments until there is a crisis and you will be the first to ask him to resign. You won’t March but you will be demanding he leave. Dr. Weldon was chastised when she joined yet the same critics sang her praises when she resigned. Welcome to Bermuda .
While many are “proud” of seeing Mr. Dickinson cast aspersions on the Premier and try to make himself the beacon of morality and integrity, I am personally happy that the biggest hotel in Bermuda will be getting a facelift and in the process providing employment for hundreds in both the renovation and then the operational stages. No deal is perfect and all deals have risks but I prefer to take the risk with the intention of getting people back to work, stimulating the economy, providing a venue for conferences and vacations, etc. What would Mr. Dickinson’s solution be for Fairmont Southampton? What would his solution be for the island’s economic woes which only would be heightened without this project?
If Mr. Dickinson’s ethos is so misaligned by being a part of the PLP, then perhaps his speech in then House of Assembly today should have went one line further.
No deal is perfect, that is true. You say you prefer to take the risk. Our former FM, with over 30 years of investment and commercial banking, said the risk is too high. And just tonight, in the HOA, he was referred to as ‘a monkey’ by a colleague, for his opinion and his refusal to go along with the FS deal. I’d say the tax payer has much to worry about when a seasoned ‘numbers’ man walks away from a government deal citing too much risk, yet our leader ignores it, and plows ahead promising all good things for the people. Watch this space.
You truly are bootlicker aren’t you?
Dickinson has more credibility then the rest of your cabinet combined.
P Burt has demonstrated repeatedly that he bends the truth. Didn’t he said SP wasn’t the reason C Dickinson resigned?….
P Burt has done nothing to advance our island. We have regressed with no forward plan.
His team is afraid of him as if you speak out you are kicked to the curb.
PLP – put on your big boy pants and get a new leader bc yours is helping F&F and no one else.
I can’t believe the people of Bermuda voted for a dictator. SMFH….
This country is falling apart because of the PLP’s daydreaming. The PLP really needs to get it together cuz time is just about over.
The Oba did the same things and there were marches, hunger stikes and blocking of parliment. Plp and….. silence…. hypocrits
The OBA did marches? Hunger strikes and blocked parliament? When? Not saying you are wrong but if it is true please add links to your comments.
365 i guess my message was unclear. Reread it. Oba backed Carolina bay and there was backlash. Plp is backing Southamton Princess. And silence /crickets…Oba was pushing for pathways for status and there was blocking of parliment. Plp is now doing the similar and passing some of pathways to status….crickets. Oba with the airport deal,americas cup, st regis… uproar. Plp with new hospital, solarfarm, hamilton police station building redevelopment, taking over corporation of hamilton and there is silence again.
Of course the real story about Carolina Bay was it could have been saved, but the PLP “called it in” too early. That’s the crime here, Carolina Bay could have been saved, but the PLP chose not to.
It’s history repeating itself of course, the PLP buggered up the Morgan’s Point handover after they were first elected.
Idiots.
Nah. The only ‘hunger strike’ was that Enda ‘where’s my large protein shake’ woman.
Curtis needs to be the Premier!!! Wake up party people before it’s too late.
Totally agree!!
I agree but only if he is surrounded by others of the same mindset. If his part y is surrounded by all of the same people that coincidentally ‘or not” have a few select surnames or a married to someone wit the surnames…well are we really going to advance.
The party system will always be the weakness of any country.
Burty will be ok, hotel, bank casino he’ll have a few boards to sit on. Heck maybe st Regis too.
Worse egotistical premier ever,
He said the bit coin fad had created jobs. Release the job figures on bitcoin burty
Funny people are calling for Dickinson to be Premier. Ask the people of C25 and C21 how often they really see him? How in touch is he with his constituents? Yes he is an intelligent finance professional. But it takes much more than that to be the Premier. Burt isn’t perfect, but Dickinson isn’t either. It seems some are just rallying around Dickinson to oust Burt. Be careful what you wish for.
So i wonder now if Burty supporters will believe another plp mp that the guys untruthful and unfit
Or are they happy for Bermuda to sink more voting with there heart instead of there head
What we have in Burt, albeit on a very itty bitty scale for Bermuda, is a miniature Putin. A dictator. His way or the highway. His underlings run scared of him. He is a great circus ring leader. A showman producing nothing of substance. Razzle Dazzle. 30-6. The crowds love it.