Video: Premier & Ministers Press Conference
[Updated] Premier David Burt will be holding a press conference this afternoon [April 5] to “provide an overview of the reconfigured Cabinet.” This follows after yesterday’s announcement that Michael Weeks will serve as the new Minister of National Security and Vance Campbell will be the Minister of Tourism.
Update 3.40pm – We are waiting on the start
Update: The live broadcast has concluded and the 23-minute replay is below
Update 6.44pm: Premier’s full statement follows below:
Good afternoon Deputy Premier, Minister Campbell, Minister Weeks, Members of the Media and to the people of Bermuda.
Yesterday at Government House I was proud to welcome two new Ministers to the Cabinet. Minister of Tourism, Vance Campbell and Minister of National Security Michael Weeks.
And, today Cabinet colleagues and I welcomed them into our first meeting of the reconfigured Cabinet which we have just completed, progressing our work on behalf of the people that were elected to serve. I am grateful to have the media present today as we introduce the new Ministers to the press and allow them to answer any questions that members of the media may have on their new responsibilities.
Ministers Campbell and Weeks have served their constituents, the Government and the people of Bermuda devotedly from the backbench and will now bring that same devotion to their ministerial portfolios and to the Cabinet table. They, like myself and the rest of the Cabinet, are focused and committed on delivering the change that we promised to bring on behalf of the people of Bermuda who put their trust in the Bermuda Progressive Labour Party at the last election.
The Cabinet cannot and will not be distracted by rumours, innuendo or sensational headlines. Our time and our energy have and will remain concentrated on bringing the people-centred economic recovery and social renewal that Bermuda and Bermudians need and deserve. Minister Campbell brings an abundance of private and public sector experience to his role as Minister of Tourism in addition to a long record of public and community service.
His experience and knowledge will be crucial as we rebuild our tourism industry with Bermudians at the centre of all that we do. His immediate near term goals will be to ensure that this year’s tourism season is a success while advancing changes to the Tourism Investment Act to bring new hotel investment to our shores.
Minister Weeks brings strong, grassroots community leadership and over 20 years of residential treatment services experience to his role as the Minister of National Security. As we tackle the increase of violence in our community, his leadership, experience and the work he has done throughout his career within our communities will be an asset to the Government and to the country.
I am grateful that he is able to serve in this Ministry full time, and I know that he will be focused on ensuring that we redouble our efforts on tackling the root causes of violence.
In addition to Ministers Campbell and Weeks joining the Cabinet, I would also like to announce the following changes to the alignment of Ministries:
- The eCommerce portfolio will move from being under the remit of the Premier to the Minister of Economy and Labour. The Information & Digital Technologies portfolio and Department of the same name will be moved from under the remit of the Premier to the Minister for the Cabinet Office.
- The liquor license portfolio will move from the Attorney General to the Minister of National Security.
- And finally, the Consumer Affairs portfolio will move from the Minister of Home Affairs to the Attorney General.
I can also inform the country that the cost of the Cabinet as it has been reconfigured is less than the cost of the Cabinet at the beginning of this year given that I will continue as Premier and Minister of Finance.
As I close I would like to again thank the former Minister of National Security, MP Renee Ming for her dedicated service and I look forward to continuing to work with her as she moves to the backbench and remains the strong voice that she has always been for the people of St. George’s.
I welcome Ministers Campbell and Weeks and look forward to their contributions as we:
- focus on economic recovery and growth
- reduce the cost of living
- Getting people back to work
- ensure our seniors live in dignity; and
- Continue to tackle the root causes of crime
And that we work to ensure that our young people have hope for a future in the island that they call home.
I am confident that this Cabinet and this Government will deliver for Bermuda, and I myself and my the new Minsters look forward to your questions this afternoon.
Thank you
Press conference starts late, par for the course. Campbell looking like a deer in the headlights when questioned and very grateful to scurry back from the microphone. Burt ummimg and erring and having to be rescued by someone off camera, presumably a press officer. Kudos to Connolly for trying to get Burt to give a straight answer but all we get is a succession of “it’s important to note” and “ but what I can say”. Scrambling for their political lives!
What is the great Pastor being paid for???
The man in charge is a master at deceipt linked inexplicably to smoke and mirrors. If the electorate in Bermuda cannot see through this coniving individual then please remove the bungs now.