OBA Leader: ‘It Was An Error & I Apologise’
[Updated] Noting that during the Budget reply he said the OBA would reintroduce the TA fee and examine a VAT tax on healthcare services, OBA Leader Cole Simons said he “did not adequately consult with or vet these suggestions with our caucus – our Parliamentary representatives and candidates” and “it was an error in judgement for me to do this without consultation and I would like to extend a public apology to them and the people of Bermuda. ”
This follows after the OBA released their Reply to the Budget which stated they would “reintroduce the travel authorization fees which can be imbedded in ticket costs or collected on arrival in Bermuda [Supported by IB] ” and “examine the possibility of introducing a minimal VAT tax on health care services.”
Opposition Leader Cole Simons said, “As a longstanding Member of Parliament and leader of the Opposition, I am a firm believer in accountability; not just accountability to the people who I serve, but to my colleagues as well, whom I hold in very high regard.
“On Friday, in my Budget reply, a portion of my statement triggered a lot of discussion. When outlining the numerous ways the OBA would turn the economy around, I said we would reintroduce the Travel Authorisation fees, which can be embedded in ticket costs or paid upon arrival to Bermuda—a suggestion which was supported by the international business sector to help our struggling economy.
“I also stated we would examine the possibility of introducing a minimal Value Added Tax [VAT] on health care services.
“While the aforementioned were included in my Reply, I did not adequately consult with or vet these suggestions with our caucus – our Parliamentary representatives and candidates.
“It was an error in judgement for me to do this without consultation and I would like to extend a public apology to them and the people of Bermuda.
“Let me stress…the OBA does not want to see the residents of Bermuda burdened with any additional taxes and they do not wish to see the reintroduction of the Travel Authorisation or any affiliated fees.
“The OBA will not reintroduce the TA in any form.
“Over the weekend, I apologised to my colleagues; there was never any ill intent and our commitment, as a team, is to continue to work together for the betterment of Bermuda.
“We cannot lose sight that many people in Bermuda are barely surviving under David Burt’s PLP Government.
“The One Bermuda Alliance has a choice—we can sit back and allow more residents to hurt, or we can, in solidarity, hold the Government accountable for its actions.”
Update 8pm, Feb 28th: OBA MPs Scott Pearman and Craig Cannonier responded to questions about this matter at a press conference today.
Cole has got to go. He doesn’t have the intellect to counter the drooling paste eating idiots in the PLP.
The OBA need a leader who will go on the offensive and call out PLP bullsh*t repeatedly and mercilessly. Cole, simple put, doesn’t have the killer instinct.
A politically naive statement.
You always take the time to call anyone who votes for the PLP idiots and many other hateful names. It’s know wonder why the OBA has a very difficult time attracting well round educated black Bermudians, which would provide the balance we desperately need. Bloggers like you only bring the party down.
Constructive criticism is ok, but hateful name calling is almost like saying the “N” word.
Have a nice day.
You are correct. As soon as I read disparaging remarks like theirs, I stop reading and tune them out. They may have constructive criticisms, but it is marred by unnecessary hateful dialogue.
That’s how I feel about every racist post by a plp follower.
Hold on a minute. He’s the leader of the opposition who was handed a political opportunity to go for the jugular of a discredited Premier and Government.
Instead, it appears, he talked about bringing back perhaps one of the most controversial taxes in recent times without consulting with his team.
He let the PLP off the hook. Whatever else he said, and much of it was very good, gets lost in the noise.
As i said, politically naive.
And yeah, while I understand the history, if you willingly vote PLP now, you will continue to vote for failure.
“You always take the time to call anyone who votes for the PLP idiots and many other hateful names.”
So do you, and other plp voters….and then you go on with this gem:
“It’s know wonder”
You’re nothing but an ignorant racist snowflake, sit down, we already know what you are. You, and most of your ilk, are hypocrites.
Why even bother telling them the truth? Let them continue to score goals in their own net. OBA part 3 Jarrion will be fronted next as their current leader was just another individual being used for his skin color.
Bingo! Race card!
When you have nothing else, that is the card that you play.
It has gotten very old.
Same cards the UBPoba use time and time again. You do realize everyone in Bermuda understands why Cole Traveled Authorization Leader is the face of the party. The next face will Jarrion. When you have nothing else that is the only card you play.
Really? The OBA plays the race card? Or…you don’t have a cogent argument, so you lie and deflect from the truth.
Cole does not have what it takes to go up against the union & the people who are quite unashamedly unethical but not illegal in the PLP ranks.
Cole is a gentleman. There is only one gentleman standout in the PLP.
The OBA needs more types to deal with the PLP using equal tactics.
Agreed. The OBA need to be ruthless and, sadly, Cole isn’t. This was an unfortunate misstep.
You cannot make this up.
The plp makes everything up…they’re just joining in. LMFAO
This clearly shows a lack of cohesive planning and or strategy by the OBA to address the issues of the day. The Party leader is basically doing his own thing without properly reviewing a strategy and its impact on Bermuda and its people. How could he even mention this when his former leader voice the OBA opposition to the TA fees loudly for an entire year? Seriously is this the type of leadership we are expecting for Bermuda? Cole is not the man to lead the OBA to a position of a strong opposition party, let alone form a government.
lol… funny how some can fall for such a simple illusion …lol.
do you really not see those things suggestion were intentionally said; so that he would get replaced and it would look like oba is brand ‘new’ because the old was removed gate fall man again how many times will he play that role ..lol.
these cycles are getting silly its time for God’s way to return return to the Earth