Interview: Deputy OBA Leader Jarion Richardson

How to handle the national debt, cost of living, plans to rebuild the OBA, what the PLP Government has, and has not, done well, and whether the OBA would bring a bill to legalize same sex marriage are a few of the topics Deputy Opposition Leader Jarion Richardson addressed in a recent interview with Bernews.

In July of this year, the OBA announced that Mr Richardson — the MP for Constituency 23 Paget West  — would serve as the party’s Deputy Leader.

What made you decide to be Deputy Leader?

Mr. Richardson said, “Within the party we discussed leadership immediately after the General Election 2020, so it was always to my mind. But at the time, I felt it was inappropriate for someone so new to involve themselves in leadership. As time went on, especially after undertaking the role of Opposition Whip, I came to see some value in newer leadership. But the key was probably when the Leader asked me to lead a review of the party. It was after that work was completed when I saw just how effective an OBA government could be. Also, the unifying and positive role the OBA could be in Bermuda. However, for that potential to be realized, it would take something new and different. To that end, the best place from which to bring about this potential was leadership. So, I notified the Chair and Secretary of my intention, and here we are today.”

You were the only new person elected for the OBA in the past election. What might you say to others who may be contemplating doing what you did, serving as a candidate for a political party?

Mr. Richardson said, “What attracts a person to politics seems very different person-to-person. We all have to make our own assessment and reach our own conclusions about the cost of being involved. Especially for those who have healthy families and successful careers. There will be less time for both of those. And any community activities will also be impacted.

“With that said, here is why I choose to serve:

“First, the same level thinking that created the problems we face will not bring about a solution to those same problems. The state of Bermuda isn’t accidental or simply the outcome of random chance. Second, hope must be matched with effort to accomplish anything worth doing. Otherwise, ideas will remain just that. Third, we don’t pick the times; the times pick us. Not wanting to get involved in politics is abundantly smart, especially when we now have a potentially vindicative set of decision-makers. But if Bermuda is to put our better days in front of us instead of behind us, then we need to push through difficulty and harm. Fourth, giving up is a luxury.

“But this is just for me. I went to a military school when I was young. I served in the regiment and police. I worked in charities and in community groups. The above logic is the way I rationalize this push.

“And it’s not as if I don’t have hesitations and regrets. I am regularly troubled by the thought that for every moment I’m not with my daughters, that will have a negative impact on them. The problems I solve must be more detrimental to my daughters if I left them in place, than my absence will inevitably be.

“So this fight isn’t for everyone – we all have different priorities. But I would argue that it’s a person’s hesitation to enter the political field that makes them the right one to do it.”

With the party, in recent years, having gone from 19 to 12 to 6 seats…what is the plan to rebuild?

Mr. Richardson said, “Broadly speaking, the plan is to be more trustworthy, responsive and organized. There’s a number of beliefs and perceptions that have to be addressed head-on. And we have to be clear, not just about what we are, but why we are and what we hope for Bermuda. We will also align internally so that our outward-facing goals and accomplishments are supported by the whole party mechanism. Boxers punch with their whole body, not just their arms. So we have to utilize our whole party, our supporters, to accomplish our goals. I can’t discuss these plans in detail but I believe the public is starting to see some of those early changes taking effect right now.”

If the OBA was the Government now, what might they be doing differently?

Mr. Richardson said, “We would be thinking deeper and more about the systems that need to change, to bring about benefits. There is a lack of coherency to the Government’s plans. Their efforts are sporadic and almost always have unintended consequences. For example, their relief package ignores the pre-existing charitable and social organizations. So, we take money [in the form of grants] from the experts who know how to use it and then give it out, while using Government money to publish ‘look how well we’re doing’ pamphlets. Meanwhile, we still have seniors who can barely afford food. An OBA government would come at the problem systematically so the solutions address the problems.”

Our national debt is over $3B, how would the OBA tackle this?

Mr. Richardson said, “In general, to pay down the debt is the same set of activities to recover the economy. And there’s a few broad themes of actions we would undertake. For example, we would increase the population to spread and reduce costs. This is especially important given the number of people leaving the island. We need people to generate economic activity and every person who understandably leaves generates more need for the persons who stay. We would control spending by reforming the highest costs in Government. That means being very specific about the services offered to the public by each cost center and then shedding any costs which do not accomplish those specific services. That includes assessing each impediment to business, like excessive regulation. We would be very clear about the role of each regulation and those which do not pass the cost-benefit analysis will be amended or eliminated.”

Many people discuss the cost of living. Do you think it’s realistic to bring it down and if so, how?

Mr. Richardson said, “The cost-of-living can be reduced but it’s by way of dozens of small, hard decisions instead of big, flashy decisions. The economists keep pointing out the hard decisions that we have to make, and we have to have the courage to make them. If we must increase the population, then that’s what we do. Equally, we know food costs are high globally. And we have quite literally generations of importers and distributors, who have been navigating our complex and aged regulations for decades.

“Each cost-of-living detriment has its own set of causations and impacts. So, each cost-of-living detriment has to be addressed at the level of its generation e.g. the devil is in the detail.”

What do you think the PLP Government’s worst error so far has been?

Mr. Richardson said, “First, not all parts of the Government [including Cabinet Ministers] are equal. And not all the challenges they face individually are the same. And I certainly don’t believe in laughing at those who try hard, with diligence, clarity of vision and thoughtfulness, and fail.

“Second, “the Government’s worst error” depends on how we assess their performance. Is it based on how much it cost, unintentional consequences, harm to the community, or public opinion?

“With all that said, my view is Government’s worst error is their fixation on vanity projects. They appear to mix-up aspirational with fanciful. We all want medical tourism to succeed, but first, we want the roads fixed and the trash picked up.”

What is one thing you think the PLP Government has done well?

Mr. Richardson said, “They have kept people’s focus on the OBA, consistently and accurately on message. They have multiple media personalities and outlets including columnists. They use their massive financial resources so their public relations and messaging are loud and clear. No matter what the current public topic is, sooner or later they will talk about the OBA. And if that fails, institutional discrimination, historical land grabs and racial inequalities. They masterfully ensure that the lens of public attention never rests on their efforts for too long.”

Same sex marriage, if the OBA gets back in power will they bring a bill to legalize it?

Mr. Richardson said, “This is an important issue that people, especially young Bermudians, feel very strongly about. The OBA represents people of different races, economic statuses, social and family structures, and with different beliefs. And we have members on both sides of same-sex marriage issues. We will continue to canvass the view is of our party members and continue to represent all Bermudians. If we were to legislate same-sex marriage, we’d need those interested to join the party, debate their colleagues and pass that motion. Until that time, our primary focus is preventing Bermuda’s further social and economic slide, and members are otherwise free to press their own points of view.”

Is there anything else you think the public should know? 

Mr. Richardson said, “Just because the easy decisions are in our past doesn’t mean that our best days are in our gone. Bermuda will have to fight to regain our tourism product, our pole position in financial services and to reform our nuclear families. And it’s entirely worth doing and possible.”

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