Cole Simons: ‘Do More To Empower Bermudians’
Bermuda’s “inflation rate is gouging the pockets of most Bermudians,” Opposition Leader Cole Simons said, adding that people are leaving the island, and the Premier and Cabinet “must do more to empower Bermudians so that they can feel encouraged and confident about living in Bermuda – not overseas.”
Mr. Simons said, “The Government’s stated 3.5 % inflation rate in Bermuda does not add up.
“The reality is that Bermuda’s 10% inflation rate is gouging the pockets of most Bermudians, leaving gaping holes that show no sign of repair. Some people are cutting back on essentials just to make ends meet, while others are cutting back on sheer principle to send a message that they refuse to pay the rising price of food and consumer goods. Enough is enough.
“I recently met with a group of young professionals who are just starting out in life with their young families. They are very pessimistic about their future in Bermuda. They see a recession on our doorstep and are seriously thinking about moving overseas. They believe they will never be able to own a house on their own island. They cannot afford the cost of preschool, childcare, not to mention the rising healthcare costs. They are stressed because they cannot afford to save for their future.
“The story is similar for retirees. The cost of healthcare, monthly maintenance for their homes, food – these costs are all quickly becoming out of reach. Wherever I go, I hear people openly complaining about the hyper inflationary cost of these essential items. In fact, people are quietly leaving the Island in droves!
“Unfortunately, the situation has created a sense of hopelessness for many people in our community. They believe that the government is not doing enough to either support or empower them economically.
“Premier David Burt and his Cabinet must do more to empower Bermudians so that they can feel encouraged and confident about living in Bermuda – not overseas.”
The things you speak of are world wide and true but yet again you offer no solutions.
Why should he offer solutions? The party that is being paid is the ones that need to be held accountable and fix the issues. The created the mess so friggin fix it.
I can tell your one of the idiots in the OBA. That’s why they continue to lose every election.
The oBA loses because the plp, and its followers, are racists.They only vote on skin colour….which is why they’re fine with being poor. LMFAO
You’re in denial and your words smell just like a racist and I’m a white Bermudian. It’s know wonder we can’t attract people of color to help us win elections. So you’re either a very selfish evil person or someone trying to make the OBA look bad. Keep the OBA out of your filthy mouth and stop trying to divide us based on the color of a person’s skin.
Don’t fall off your high horse, you might get hurt.
LOL…why don’t you keep your filthy, racist comments to yourself.
The OBA loses because the majority see it as a racist party that changed its name. Why run away from being the UBP when we had more jobs and money in Bermuda? The plp island oba are hopeless!
Some are racist not all are painted with the same brush , it exists in both parties.
I think, based on objective evidence, that the idiots are the ones who keep voting PLP. 20+ years of failure, incompetence, bigotry, homophobia and greed. Third world.
@ I and I, and your solutions are??????????
“Bermuda’s “inflation rate is gouging the pockets of most Bermudians,” Opposition Leader Cole Simons said”
Bermuda’s price inflation rate is only 3.7%, less than 1/2 that of the U.S. or U.K., according to the PLP Government. We are surely the lucky ones!
Bermuda price inflation: https://bernews.com/2022/08/may-2022-consumer-price-index-released/#comments
U.S. price inflation: https://www.bls.gov/opub/ted/2022/consumer-prices-up-9-1-percent-over-the-year-ended-june-2022-largest-increase-in-40-years.htm
U.K. price inflation: https://www.ons.gov.uk/economy/inflationandpriceindices/bulletins/consumerpriceinflation/july2022
This is an example of where the Westminster system favours the opposition. They can offer criticism without the responsibility of offering solutions. The Government has already reduced the import duty on most of the essential food categories, announced a $15m assistance including payroll tax rebates, public school vouchers, fuel prices and a direct increase for financial assistance.
The next phase will be for retailers to reduce end user prices. Whilst they may claim poverty, disclosure of their personal business margins is the only next step to see if they can reduce prices.
“This is an example of where the Westminster system favours the opposition.”
Yes, as it favoured the PLP for 35 years, until 1998.
“The Government has already reduced the import duty on most of the essential food categories, announced a $15m assistance including payroll tax rebates, public school vouchers, fuel prices and a direct increase for financial assistance”
Yes, and we are over $3 Billion in debt because of it, a debt my grandchildren will not be able to pay off.
“The next phase will be for retailers to reduce end user prices … disclosure of their personal business margins is the only next step to see if they can reduce prices”
And there we have it, the PLP Government intends to change our Constitution and abolish all laws relating to privacy and confidentiality, at lease in respect of some people, so that they can name and shame and force those people to stop making a profit in business they have invested in
ask your precious govt just what are the duties rate on diesel, premium and log and of course Belco Fuel per liter.
Once again the OBA offers drivel with no substance.
The Government has instituted measures to assist with inflation. Additionally, if Bermudians are leaving because of inflation, where are they going, as inflation at similar or higher rates is happening worldwide.
The OBA needs better writers.
Well, has it? Where is that money coming from exactly?
And it’s not exactly a comprehensive set of strategic policy decisions is it? There’s no plan for growth or economic stimulation. None.
It’s a hastily cobbled together mishmash temporary handouts we cannot afford. And, at least, with inflation now flattening in the UK, and US for example, at least your hard earned $ go a little further.
What measures have the Government issued to ‘assist with inflation?’
Cause whatever they are, they are not working.
Why would the government have ‘instituted measures to deal with inflation’ when it’s only running at 2.5%? Surely measures would be unnecessary? Unless the government inflation statistics are utter bollocks.
“Once again the OBA offers drivel with no substance”
Isn’t that how the plp got elected? They need to be as racist and as homophobic as the plp, and their followers, to get anywhere.
What a fool. Words like this only hurt the OBA. Why are you trying to spread hate to destroy the hard work to be re-elected? Folks take note and denounce this individual.
OBA has done more disruptiveness to this country than any other PARTY here. OBA has spent from 2012-2012 doing what they perceive as necessary to DISEMPOWER Bermudians.
Unbelievable!!!
The only thing the OBA did wrong, was let you out of jail….
….from 2012-2017…OBA most disturbingly disruptive….enabling people of other nationalities from other jurisdictions to settle here, thus subtracting BORN BERMUDIANS from respectful jobs causing many to DASH to England. Bermudians, remain here!
Bermuda is your country, by birth.
Remain here and stand firm for YOUR COUNTRY!!