Column: ‘Isle Of No’ Must Become Open Minded

May 20, 2022

[Opinion column written by MP Neville Tyrrell]

For years Bermuda has been known as the “Isle of No”, when it comes to enhancing our tourism product and offering new and innovative services and experiences to our visitors. Whenever someone tries to develop something new or different, it is often shot down, attacked, and usually stopped dead in its tracks.

For Bermuda to keep up with our competitors, we must become more open-minded and more willing to give new and innovative ideas a chance. We must be willing to embrace and support the efforts of our fellow Bermudians who use their entrepreneurial spirit for the benefit of not just themselves but the benefit of our visitors as well.

Last year, as usual, an attempt to modernize our laws and enhance our tourism product ran up against the “Isle of NO” mentality. The Opposition, for some reason, decided to block the passage of the Motor Car [Liveries] Amendment Act 2022 in the Senate. Under this Bill, your government proposed a change to Bermuda’s laws that would have allowed a new array of vehicles to give guided tours and expose our visitors to our island’s unparalleled beauty.

Instead, the OBA said “No” !

The OBA said “No” to allowing our tourists to have another experience to enjoy Bermuda.

The OBA said “No” to an opportunity for entrepreneurs to start a business and make a living off our tourism industry.

The OBA said “No” to jobs and opportunities for Bermudians.

The OBA said “No” to progress and innovation.

Despite this, your government has persevered and brought back this Bill. We persevered to empower our people, enhance our tourism product, and do our part to change Bermuda from “The Isle of No,” into one where we are all rowing in the same direction to bring visitors back to our shores.

As your government, we propose:

Expanding types of vehicles used for guided tours to 3 – 4 wheel vehicles.

Introducing penalties for giving guided tours without a license.

Updating all relevant laws to enable a broader interpretation of the legal definition of a guided tour vehicle to include 3–4-wheel vehicles

Pretty straightforward, isn’t it?

We hope that when the Motor Car [Liveries] Amendment Act 2022 is debated in Parliament next week, there has been a change in the Opposition position. Hopefully their hearts will have somehow grown a few sizes larger, much like the “Grinch that Stole Christmas!”

Former Premier Alex Scott used to say, “Bermuda works best when we work together.”

We can rebuild tourism.

We can create new opportunities for Bermudians.

We can safely and responsibly introduce new and innovative services and products into our tourism economy.

We can move from the “Isle of No” into a brighter, more prosperous future by simply working together, listening to each other, having compassion for each other, and saying “Yes” to responsible progress.

Together we can and we will do better for Bermuda.

- Neville Tyrrell, Constituency 26 – Warwick South Central

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Comments (11)

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  1. Ringmaster says:

    Let’s refresh Mr Tyrell’s memory about being open minded.

    Taken from the debate in 2016 over the introduction of mini cars into Bermuda:

    David Burt, the Leader of the Opposition, added: “The Government cannot seem to get it right when it comes to consulting or communicating or understanding the fact that you need the support of the people before you move things forward. The first time they got taxi drivers to drop tools.

    Progressive Labour Party MP Derrick Burgess maintained that Bermuda was too small and already “saturated” with vehicles, while PLP MP Jamahl Simmons berated Mr Fahy for his consultation efforts with taxi drivers.

    Summarising an at times heated debate, Michael Dunkley, chastised the Opposition for their “tired and typical” approach of knocking down government legislation.

    “Everything we do is with a view to making all Bermudians’ lives better.” the Premier said. “We can work through the challenges; this Bill is a very positive step for the people of Bermuda.

  2. unknown800k says:

    WHY DONT YOU GET YOUR EGOMEIR TO GET RID OF HIS CHILDISH ATTITUDE, AND JUST GET RID OF THE TA FORMS. TOURIST LOCALS EVERYONE COMPLAINING, TRY TO FIND A CASH COW ELSEWHERE.

  3. wondering says:

    Yet again……political rhetoric and nothing substantial for our economic growth overall.

    From hot dog cart ideas for Shelly Bay to amended motor car act…..all small scale. All internal. Short term vision that helps a handful if people.

    This, Bermuda, is the level of the PLPs expertise.

    Good for the individual entrepreneurs but useless for the other 20-30,000 residents who really news to see a decrease in taxation, an increase in productivity etc.

    MP Tyrrell, if it is believed that legislation like this will bring the tourists, we are sadly mistaken.

    Our competitors win because it is cheaper and more to do in their countries.

    Where is the abolition of the TA?

    Where is the trickle down economics that would see less taxation of goods and services beyond the reach of locals and tourists alike?

    Where is immigration reform that will open our borders to a bigger ResPop?

    We are failing because the same world that you despise – the bogeyman (40 Thieves, etc) is the world you have to embrace to return Bermuda to its place on the world scale.

    The old saying about the butts you kick on the way up are the same ones you have to kiss on the way down!

  4. saud says:

    “Isle of No”

    Yes, the isle of no equality for all Bermudians….you just made international news with your bigotry and discrimination…and then you post this drivel? LOL

  5. BDABOY says:

    ‘Isle of No’…same sex marriage.
    ‘Isle of No’…prosperity
    ‘Isle of No’…future
    ‘Isle of No’…equality
    ‘Isle of No’…revenue

    …all under the PLP

  6. Unbelievable says:

    No one said no to creating jobs at South P. What we don’t want is the BDA Govt finances going under because this PLP Govt is throwing away the tax contributions it desperately needs. The Govt needs that money. That’s what everyone is saying no to.
    Tyrell, you’re a joke.

  7. sandgrownan says:

    Crikey, all the PLP MP’s are getting wheeled out this week to tow the party line. The thing is, they sound so stupid.

    So Neville, tell me about the big fat “No” delivered to developers in late January 1999. Tell ms all about that.

    Tell us all about the PLP big fat “no” to the Americas Cup. Tell us about that.

    • Toodle-oo says:

      “So Neville, tell me about the big fat “No” delivered to developers in late January 1999. Tell ms all about that.”

      Was that the lovely Morgan’s Point proposal where the developers had a fat dose of Bermudian racism hurled at them ? I seem to recall that being a May event.

      • Sandgrownan says:

        Indeed it was. And they f*cked off.

        Just think, there would have a been a 5 star hotel and golf course on that land for 20 years by now.

        But the party of “No” was in charge.

  8. trufth says:

    Seriously Neville, did you even read what was written for you before you put your name on the bottom of it? You might want to have a read – it makes you look rather dumb.

  9. Dunn juice says:

    Say it forget it,write it regret.
    Bunch of puppets