Video: OBA Leader Press Conference
[Updated] Opposition Leader Jarion Richardson is holding a press conference this afternoon [Nov 8] to give his initial reflection of the Throne Speech. We will have additional coverage later on and in the meantime the live video is below.
Update 4.19pm: Mr. Richardson said, “Today’s Throne Speech should have offered a beacon of hope to the people of Bermuda, but instead it left them with a feeling of helplessness.
“Instead, they heard a whole lot of old promises…many which have been unkept.
“But if you’ve heard a Throne Speech before, it is clear…the PLP has simply rehashed old promises, hoping that nobody caught on. With Christmas around the corner, imagine receiving a gift that your loved one found in the back of your closet, so they rewrap it in new shiny paper and give it a different name.
“To the people of Bermuda, the theme of this year’s speech should have been promises made, promises broken, because, for the most part that’s what it is.
“The Government says it will do more to address youth violence, but isn’t that what the Gang Prevention Unit was supposed to do. Hundreds of thousands of dollars and a number of deaths later…yet here we are today. Lawlessness on this island still continues.
“One would think the Throne Speech would have addressed the youth in Bermuda overall, but sadly not one word. It’s obvious the Government doesn’t value their vote. But our youth are our future. Where was the mention of creating better tomorrows for them via educational and employment opportunities? Where is the plan to entice them to remain in Bermuda instead of leaving the island for greener pastures and creating brain drain?
“Promises made, promises broken. The PLP Government has been in power for the majority of the last 25 years and there is still no universal health care.
“Insurance companies are merging and purchasing health service providers. Businesses are doing what they have to in order to survive and we have the PLP Government to thank for that.
“Where are the vertical farms that the Government has mentioned in the past? If nothing else, the pandemic taught us that Bermuda needs a proper strategy for food security. When we become the Government, this will be a priority of ours.
“Let’s touch on education reform. We have heard from just about every stakeholder in the community that many of our students within the Bermuda Public School System are not receiving the quality of education that they deserve. Currently the system is under reform, but what is actually happening. The plan for signature schools does not appear to be working, yet the Government announces that it is going to be executing the plan at Sandys Secondary Middle School. But that begs to question: why would you add another school into a plan that is not working instead of fixing the ones that aren’t operating optimally first?
“Promises made, promises broken.
“Regarding our seniors, the Government is saying it giving seniors the opportunity to work longer, but in reality they are being forced to extend their working life in order to survive the eye-watering cost of living.
“This speech was simply a lot of gifts which have been repurposed and tweaked here and there. There was nothing to get excited about, and to be frank, it was a disappointment.
“The PLP Government has proven that it has no clear strategy to improve the island. Bermuda needs to be audited from top to bottom. The Government is trying to solve problems that it has in fact created—and expects Joe Public to think that it’s doing something new.
“The Throne Speech’s theme is a Fairer Bermuda for all…but how is it fair when Bermudians can’t secure affordable housing, when there were no-bid contracts awarded during the pandemic, when the former AG awards her husband a lucrative contract? Does that seem fair to you, Bermuda?
“Where we are today is a result of the House that Burt built. It’s a mess and it’s clear…the PLP Government is no longer qualified to return this island to prosperity. There doesn’t appear to be a clear vision for the country. It is just throwing old ideas up against a wall with the hope that something will stick.”
The Throne Speech is the government’s legislative agenda for the upcoming year. If it doesn’t involve legislation then it doesn’t need to be in the Throne Speech.
It isn’t an election platform.