Column: DeSilva On Fuel Rates, OBA, Tax, More

[Opinion column written by MP Zane DeSilva]

Anyone who marched, fought and stood against the OBA during their time in power knows first hand that they are not to be trusted.

Over the weekend, they gave us another look at their two-faced nature and reminded us, in case we had forgotten, that they love to play games with words to create confusion and division.

When news broke that the RA had given permission to BELCO to jack up their prices, like you, I was looking for answers as to how we could stop this. Like you, I knew many Bermudians couldn’t take another blow to their wallets and I knew that many businesses would pass the cost on to their customers, inflicting more pain on our people.

When the OBA came out calling for cuts to the Fuel Adjustment Rates to offset the rate increase, I already knew the government was working to take decisive action and that there should be no hassle from the other side when we brought that legislation forward. But, of course, this is the OBA we are dealing with.

So, the bill comes to the Legislature, the OBA supports it and like all of Bermuda, we gave a sigh of relief that our Government was giving us all a cushion against another BELCO increase.

Low and behold, not two days later the OBA is criticising the Government because we did the same thing they said they would do. OBA MP Scott Pearman, who previously called for the tax cut, now dismissively claims, “…this is a cut in BELCO’s tax.”

So, MP Pearman, did you want us to cut fuel taxes and cushion Bermudians from another BELCO increase or not?

Did you believe this was just, “…a cut in BELCO’s tax,” when you were pushing for it?

Were you just playing political games when you called for the tax cut or are you playing games now that the PLP has cut the tax?

Inquiring minds want to know.

Perhaps the real reason the OBA changed their tune is because they have for so long been pushing the bogus narrative that a PLP government can’t manage money that they started to believe their own deception and thought we couldn’t afford to cut the taxes.

Well once again we have proved them dead wrong.

Fortunately, Bermudians are hip to how two-faced the OBA can be and aren’t surprised with their latest stunt. Those of us who marched and fought against the OBA when they were in power especially know whose side the OBA is on and it ain’t ours.

- Zane Desilva

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