Premier Reflects On Five Years Of Governance
“The last five years haven’t been easy, and we haven’t gotten everything right. Yet we have remained a government that listens, a collaborative government, and a government that is still humbled by the tremendous responsibility you entrusted to us,” Premier David Burt said on the fifth anniversary of the PLP’s election victory.
Today [July 18] marks five years since the 2017 General Election, which saw the PLP win 24 seats to the OBA’s 12, resulting in the PLP returning as the Government.
In a statement today, PLP Party Leader and Premier David Burt said, “Five years ago, the people of Bermuda used the power of the vote to change governments and change the direction of our country.
“Five years ago, the people chose to put an end to one of the most divisive periods of recent memory. From policies that saw the fall of Bermudian jobs and the rise of jobs held by non-Bermudians to attempts to give the children of expatriates the right to compete for jobs and opportunities against our children, the people made a clear change.
PLP supporters celebrate the PLP election victory 5 years ago, back on July 18 2017
“The last five years haven’t been easy, and we haven’t gotten everything right. Yet we have remained a government that listens, a collaborative government, and a government that is still humbled by the tremendous responsibility you entrusted to us.
“The Progressive Labour Party entered power again in 2017 determined not to be merely caretakers of the status quo and determined not to make the mistakes of our opponents, who stopped listening, forgot who they worked for, and became arrogant.
“That’s why we’ve remained focused on our seniors by ensuring that they remain front and centre by providing them with increases to their pensions while, for years, our opponents told them, “Money doesn’t grow on trees.”
“We launched a National Youth Policy to address the structural, social, and economic conditions hindering the social mobility of our youth. Our government also launched a Youth Employment Strategy to facilitate greater opportunities for young Bermudians between 18-26 and is reforming our school system to better equip our children to succeed in 21st Century Bermuda and the world .
“Our time has not been without its challenges. Alongside a once-in-a-century global pandemic, we’ve had to clean up the OBA’s multi-million-dollar messes at the airport and Morgan’s Point. All while continuing to balance debt and fund our ambitious social investment agenda.
“In the months ahead, we will continue to fight for working Bermudians. Whether through tax cuts for Bermuda’s lowest-paid workers, funding for school supplies for families in need, and initiatives to help reduce electricity bills. We have not forgotten who elected us and the work needed to build a better, fairer Bermuda.
“We are grateful and humbled and will continue to listen to you on the doorstep and in the community. We appreciate your ideas, suggestions, feedback, and yes, even your constructive criticism. We haven’t forgotten the changes you demanded, and the mission entrusted to us.
“Thank you! We look forward to your continued support as we continue to fight for you,” the Premier added.
Egomeir feeling the heat, which he should worst premier ever and has done NOTHING but make Bermuda a 4th world country. Debt, pricing through the roof as he keeps preaching he’s lowering it. Island looks like sheet, stabbing s shooting well done egomeir and Muppets. Don’t worry sugar tax and TA funds will run out shortly
What a disingenuous sack. Even by his standards, the level of deceit is staggering.
The PLP have held power the 20 years of the last 24. In that time Bermuda has descended from being the jewel of the Atlantic into a third rate, poverty stricken has been. An embarrassment on the International stage.
And all he can do is blame the OBA.
This mess is yours, you own it. This is your fault, your failed policies, bigotry, and stupidity.
Hahahaha. David Burt is already selling our land to foreigners and using our tax money to make sure everything goes smoothly and the plp supporters gobble it up. Any young Bermudian in their right mind will be waving goodbye to this island. The ones that stay will keep poking or shooting each other. Burt will have his pension and in 40 years my people won’t. I’m glad the staircase at elbow beach took forever and 2 million dollars though. But at least I get 150 dollars one time at the end of summer with my own money but thanks Burt. Explain what rebate means to your plp voters and they might not like you.
I didn’t read this. Does it mention anywhere that the PLP have no ideas on how to turn the economy and the Govt finances around?
There is very little that ine can believe these days. Much of the words spoken come across as robotic…..lacking genuine feeling and if you compare it to the way the seniors received a whopping 2.75% increase in pensions, you’ll see a trend of empty words.
Waste of time to read the puff piece when the Premier lies about the PLP being elected 5 years ago. Nice try to rewrite history, but the PLP owns it from being elected in 1998 and placing Bermudians into financial slavery from 2008 onwards.
Exactly. They’ve been running the place for most of the last 25 years.
Other than the period 2015-2017 (when we had a distinct uptick), it has been 25 years of decay and decline.
In 1998 we had almost no debt, very little crime, and no unemployment. Bermudians could get two jobs if we wanted.
Now we have billions in debt, no money to spend on roads or infrastructure, gun and knife crime is an everyday occurrence, and there is high unemployment.
That’s what the PLP ‘achieved’.
I’m so glad I left Bermuda. My Bermuda-born children will never have to hear how hated they were, that the idea of them having a lemonade stand or bagging groceries caused demonstrations and a change of government.
We moved to another island where they are treated as equals and are becoming citizens. No one will ever care what nationality their parents are, much less take pride in discriminating against them on that basis.
This is so true. The hatred that expats feel is real, and should be a cause for shame in Bermuda. Fillipinos, Brits, Americans, everyone.
Nowhere else is there such a self obsessed ‘Bermuda for Bermudians’ mantra, it’s disgusting and needs to stop.
And that sentiment comes from the PLP. They set the tone that permeates through the civil service and unions. It’s a poisonous environment full of tooth sucking resentment.
When I moved to Bermuda in 2010 I bought a magazine which said as an expat I was the lowest of the pile, and to get used to it. It was written in a jokey tone, but it stayed with me and it isn’t funny.
Bermuda isn’t just for Bermudians, its for everyone, just as the UK is, USA is, France is, everywhere is if you meet the criteria to settle.
And yet Bermuda hangs into that
It needs to change, its ugly. Bermuda needs to change.
I fully agree with you.
The problem is that dislike of foreigners is just about the only thing this government really believes in. In any other place they would be regarded as the ‘unattractive right-wing extremists’.
Bermuda has lost, and continues to lose, much of its talent. Talented people come in all colours and orientations…but Bermuda loudly and proudly says NO…You’re not welcome here.
I was born and raised in Bermuda, but I now live in a country that treats me as a human, unlike Bermuda.
The hated phrase ‘Guest Workers’.
Sums it up, we are people, names.
Expats are not welcome unless they bring plenty money. Look at all the development in the “lands stolen from Bermudians” years ago. The Tuckers Town area. Not so long ago there were marches and a commission of enquiry, now crickets. Clearly Bermudians don’t care about the history of the area. Plots being sold off to the sort of people the PLP criticized when they were visitors to the America’s Cup. At the same time PLP voters are thrown a few dollars to buy school uniforms and food.
I doubt you live anywhere accept under a bridge with the rest of the racist trolls in the ubpoba. Did you change the name of the bridge so people can walk over it again. Cole is wasting his time fronting for your party.
It’s not my party, you belong to the racist regressive party, you’re a hypocrite though and can’t see it.
LMFAO
“Nowhere else is there such a self obsessed ‘Bermuda for Bermudians’ mantra”
We learned it from Europe. It was in common use from the 1930s through the mid 1940s. The phrase was “Nur für Deutsche”.
I’m a Bermudian and i feel and see the racial hatred in the looks and eyes of many , even some of my neighbors . It’s not just against foreigners .
Disgusting isn’t it?….and they’re proud of it, they’re proud to be racist and homophobic…because they don’t know what a hypocrite is.
The emperor accusing others of arrogance? People in glass houses throwing stones comes to mind. And, if the government WAS listening to the people, the travel authority would have been long gone.
Congratulations Mr. Burt! You have become an excellent politician over the last five years. Unfortunately that is not what Bermuda needs. We need less government and more vision led by the people. When government is the only game in town, that is a big problem.
The decisions are tough but we support you and we support this government. Stay to the wicket and the runs will come. Don’t be deterred by those whose only goal is to distract and deter you – both internal and external. Many of those won’t put in the work anyway. Keep your head up and stay focused. There is lots to be done and you are the one to do it! COngratulations on serving in this capacity for 5 years!
You’re racist, homophobic and xenophobic…’we’ are your bigoted brothers and sisters, not all Bermudians.
So are you better off now than you were before?
If so, enlighten the rest of us.
“Stay to the wicket and the runs will come.”
LOL , that’s hysterical . You’re not talking about some ‘team’ that walked onto the field for the first time 6 months ago , they’ve been the government for the better part of the last 25 years . Even though they’re your ‘team’ how much more time do you need to realize that they’re a bunch of dead ducks killing this island one week at a time ?
Ask your unvaccinated Bermudians who you are currently discriminating against if they will get your vote next time. 4 Covid tests, 4 days quarantine and $40 to return home. Tick tok, tick tok.
Must be electon mode coming up…now handing out “trickets” and bashing the previous gov.
In all my life i have never seen tourism this low, peoples houses and business in such rough condition, people leaving the island in droves and government depts in shambles. You havent listened to the people and only did what you want. Drop the Travel Authorisation form or do you want to ruin the island? I didnt like the OBA and some of their stupid decissions but i felt there was a glimmer of hope for Bermuda, jobs and tourism.
“Humbled” ?? Er..no. Not a quality you have.
“…determined not to make the mistakes of our opponents, who stopped listening, forgot who they worked for, and became arrogant…” Did he really say/write that with a straight face?
“…will continue to listen to you on the doorstep and in the community..” Never seen a PLP waster on my doorstep.
And still lying about the airport and Morgan’s Point…the PLP have been in power for almost a quarter of a century. They own this mess, it’s their fault. Incompetence, arrogance and stupidity. Stop blaming others for your failure.
You can generally judge a country by the condition of its currency notes. Take a good look at ours and tell me how you perceive the situation. Some will say that we are phasing out physical currency, but not for a while. I say to the current government, take some pride please.
Oh no burtcoin, guess this didn’t go your way. Any supporters care to comment???
Crickets!!!!