OBA Leader: ‘Premier Has Wrong Priorities’
[Updated] “The day after an election is not the time to fly to a regional meeting,” Opposition Leader Jarion Richardson said this evening.
Mr Richardson said, “Premier David Burt has the wrong priorities. The day after an election is not the time to fly to a regional meeting any more than the day after a national cyberattack.
“The country still does not have its new Cabinet or Deputy Premier. Bermuda’s problems are huge, persistent, and impacting Bermudians every day.
“The Premier needs to stop flying around the world and focus on Bermudians. He’s clearly not taking his obligations to Bermuda seriously, and taking the electorate for granted.
“The people of Bermuda only voted in his administration on Tuesday. By Thursday, he’s left them with a caretaker government on the eve of one of the most crucial budgets in political history. I just wish I could say I’m surprised – but I’m not.”
Update: In response, MP Chris Famous said, “The One Bermuda Alliance (OBA) continues to show a fundamental misunderstanding of governance and Bermuda’s role and position in the region and the world.
“Let us be clear: Bermuda does not have a caretaker government. The Constitution is clear, and the OBA would do well to read it before making incorrect claims. The government continues to function with the same Cabinet Ministers in place. Additional cabinet appointments will be made in due course, as is the usual process. There is no crisis — just an opposition looking for headlines.
“We are presently in Barbados, representing Bermuda, at a major CARICOM meeting. Leaders from across the region are discussing economic cooperation, trade, security, and development. These are real issues that affect Bermudians – from foreign direct investment to regional partnerships in the hospitality industry that will help us grow our workforce/economy and collaborate on combating antisocial behaviour.
“As importantly, we are here discussing food security, which has been one of the top concerns of our fellow Bermudians,
“The OBA suggests that international engagement is somehow a distraction — but ignoring global affairs is not an option for a country like Bermuda. On one hand, they and others speak of the need to increase our outreach to international organisations. On the other hand, they decry when we do just that. So, how else will we grow our economy without engaging with international organisations?
“As always, we will continue governing, delivering for the people, and ensuring Bermuda is known and respected on the world stage.”
Haven’t you learned anything? The people want issues to be dealt with. First we should be happy he is attending to state business . Second I AM Sure the 24 hour stress takes a toll and he probably slept all the way there but I guess he is not supposed to sleep on the plane. Give us a break. You should be ready to say here are two issues we would like to work on that will benefit our people. Let’s get it done then we can do more. Oh no. Empty vessels make the most noise. Why you wasting so much time while your snowball is melting?
Mia Motley makes these politicians all look like clowns.
Jarion is excited but he would be wise to know there is a cabinet in place and the work continues.
Jarion has proven time and time again that he knows and understands nothing about how government works. Can we please get a new OBA Leader. Lets not wait until the next election is here.
What has Burt done for you? I mean be honest with yourself , what has he done, other than travel and make promises. What is better aboutthe Bermuda you live in now versus the bermuda of 25+ years ago? Look at the schools, the roads, the education system, serious crime , cost of living, your taxes, health sytem, homeless situation?
He might tell you that they lowered payroll tax tohelp “the people” but he also CREATED a NEW TAX branded the sugar tax. So all he did was rob Peter to pay Paul. The reality is that PLP supporters won the battle this week, but we are losing the WAR.
Schools and you have no solutions. The Govt comes up with a change and before it is implemented it is ripped to shreds. Every country in the world is struggling. Listen to the news. Sounds like you can’t adjust. When he does get it done the people will still call him names. I say take away all pension increases and financial assistance and you will find a new group of merchants because that is where your time will go. So Moses parts the Red Sea for the people of St Davis to leave and the Bermudians say why can’t we stop and barbecue the dead fish? You will never stop looking in the mirror when you write such nonsense . First put away your crayons and show us what you can do. Ain’t happening right because you can’t untie your shoes. Be honest.
Food security has NOT been one of the TOP concerns of Bermudians. That is a made up narrative to suit PLP agenda. The rising cost of food and inflation with the PLP not having a war chest to help mitigate it is the one of the TOP concerns.
Build an agricultural cold store building is lovely, but will it reduce the cost of food? That has NOT been addressed ! I think the expensive agricultural building isn’t for local farmers, but a cold storage for cheap produce from Caribbean where someone in the PLP looks to bring it in take their 40% profit with no storage cost, because a facility was paid for and maintained by the taxpayer. Local farmers beware, if the PLP undercut you, you are out of business.
Can someone please tell Jarion that the election is over and the OBA lost. Actually if you look at his leadership style that is why we lost. The party needs a new face with clear direction and not another suit to fill a post.
Ya, like you voted for the OBA? What dont you like, that he speaks the truth?
THe PLP won the battle but is losing the war!
What is better about Bermuda since Burt took over two elections ago? Cmon Im sure you can think of a few things? Let me help you …
CRIME
HEALTH
ROAD WORKS
BRIDGES
SCHOOLS
EDUCATION
SERIOUS CRIME
POVERTY
EFFICIENTCIES OF GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS
TOURISM PRODUCT
EMPLOYMENT
Need more help? I can keep going on.
Good points but you may as well be talking to an empty coconut
The ObaUBP leader needs to remain. It’s funny watching him take the party down with the titanic. haha
We just need a whole new party to form based on Qualified individuals … but that may be too much to ask for .
“from foreign direct investment to regional partnerships in the hospitality industry that will help us grow our workforce/economy”
THIS SAYS IT ALL RIGHT HERE PEOPLE….your job is not secure as much as they tell you it won’t be free trade!
David Burt dont care what you think or have to say! That’s the PLP attitude. Cheers to another five years of this and so much more.
And neither does anyone else that’s why the OBAxUBPi is sitting 11 fathoms deep in sewage again after the election. Now go grab a bucket for 5 years, and 15 more after that.
The OBA’s new candidates proved only one thing to Bermuda. That the party was having a HARD TIME ATTRACTING QUALITY NEW CANDIDATES. THE OBA JUST GAVE US ANYONE AND PLACED A RED SHIRT ON THEM !!!!! The only one that was A+ was Fahy. Thank you for coming back.
Yep back to the oba/UBP farm with the chickens.