Column: Darrell On Policies, Election & More
[Opinion column written by Senator Owen Darrell]
The rhetoric from the One Bermuda Alliance [OBA] attempts to distract the public from the harsh realities of their record of failure and anti-Bermudian policies and approaches.
Their surrogates are pushed into the limelight and tasked with trying to get Bermudians to forget that the OBA was given the reins of power once, and their record during that period and the people’s judgement on their tenure speaks for itself. It was the OBA’s inability to connect with the people, their focus on policies that favored the few over the many, and their refusal to take accountability for the consequences of their decisions that led to their overwhelming rejection at the polls. The people of Bermuda spoke clearly, choosing to reject the OBA’s anti-Bermudian agenda in favour of a PLP government committed to serving all Bermudians.
The OBA’s narrative conveniently glosses over the fact that during their time in office, they failed to deliver on the promises that mattered most to Bermudians. While they boast about St. Regis and the America’s Cup, they neglect to mention the widening inequality, the lack of opportunities for ordinary Bermudians, and the social discontent that grew under their watch. Under their rule, shared sacrifice meant that the working and middle classes sacrificed with the wealthy, privileged and elite shared the spoils. Their policies did not bring about the prosperity they promised, but instead deepened the economic challenges that many Bermudians face today.
Furthermore, the OBA has yet to acknowledge their failures or offer an apology to the people they let down. Instead, they double down on the same approaches that were rejected in the last election and the election before that. Their unwillingness to recognize why they were swept from office shows a disturbing disconnect from the reality that Bermudians face every day. They continue to push an agenda that has already been rejected by the people, hoping that this time around, they can sell the same failed policies under a different guise.
The Progressive Labour Party [PLP], on the other hand, remains focused on addressing the needs of all Bermudians, despite the challenges that come with governing during difficult times. Yes, we have faced hurdles, and we have had to make tough decisions, but our commitment to the people of Bermuda has never wavered. We are not content with Bermuda as it is; instead, we continue to work steadily to improve the lives of all Bermudians.
The OBA may try to capitalise on the challenges we face, but we know that they are more interested in getting back in power so they can open the immigration floodgates, shift the tax burden back on to regular Bermudians than they are in building a Bermuda that doesn’t only work for the rich.
Bermudians are wise enough to remember that when the OBA was given the chance, they failed to deliver.
They promised 2000 jobs and not only failed to keep that promise, their policies grew non-Bermudian jobs and shrunk job opportunities for Bermudians
They oversaw a 49 year low in tourism arrivals
They tried to give the children of guest workers the right to compete with our own Bermudian children for jobs and opportunities
They cost Bermudian tax payers hundreds of millions of dollars with their botched, incompetent Morgan’s Point and Airport deals
They tried to slash a woman’s access to mammograms
They continue to brag about the America’s Cup that within their own economic report revealed that the majority of economic beneficiaries were white
They tried to further marginalise Bernudians and open the immigration floodgates with Pathways to Status
They pepper sprayed peaceful protesting seniors
They were led by the only Premier forced to resign in disgrace from allegations of corruption.
Their calls for change ring hollow when they offer nothing but a return to the same old tactics that led to their defeat.
They have changed a few faces, pushed their more offensive characters into the background, and shuffled around their leaders but they haven’t changed and remain a danger to the hopes and aspirations of regular Bermudians.
The PLP isn’t, perfect and we have made mistakes. But unlike the OBA we’ve been willing to apologise and willing to adjust our approach. We will continue to steadily build a Bermuda that works for everyone, not just the privileged few, and we remain committed to a vision of progress, unity, and opportunity for all Bermudians.
- Senator Owen Darrell, Minister of Youth, Culture and Sports
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