OBA’s Douglas De Couto On Cost Of Living
[Updated] The OBA will tackle the cost of living by ‘growing the local economy and increasing opportunity, improving healthcare coverages and reducing costs, addressing housing costs and availability, reducing the cost of energy and food and supporting seniors,’ OBA candidate Dr Douglas De Couto said today.
Dr. De Couto — the candidate for C25 Warwick North East — said, “The economy and the cost of living is perhaps the biggest concern of Bermudians today. From our canvassing, from conversations with family and friends, and in some cases our own experiences, we know that many people in Bermuda are struggling to make a living and get by.
“We know this is one of the most important problems we need to work on for the Bermudian people.
“That’s why our platform states that: ‘Every person living in Bermuda should have the means to live a dignified life with adequate healthcare, housing and food. Our mission is to ensure that every Bermudian, including the most vulnerable in our society, enjoys this basic right.’
“There are many underlying causes for this problem, and while some may be out of our control, many are – and the One Bermuda Alliance is laser-focused to applying maximum effort to improving this for Bermuda.
“The cost of living crisis is intertwined with our poor local economy. Government and industry statistics show that since before Covid:
- There are 989 fewer jobs on the island than since the PLP took power in 2017
- The local GDP has only grown 0.4% per year since before Covid – no growth at all
- Shipping volumes are down -10% since before Covid – fewer people buying fewer things
“How someone feels about their cost of living is directly related to the economic opportunities available to them – and people’s current mood reflects the local economy’s particularly poor performance under the current Government.
“The Government will also want to claim success for reduced inflation – but that’s not much consolation for those stuck with already-high costs, and stagnating opportunity on-island.
“The One Bermuda Alliance will tackle the cost of living by:
- 1. Growing the local economy and increasing opportunity
- 2. Improving healthcare coverages and reducing costs
- 3. Addressing housing costs and availability
- 4. Reducing the cost of energy and food
- 5. Supporting seniors
“And, in all of our initiatives, we will take care to care of those most in need.
Local Economy
“We believe in a growth mindset, and increasing the size of the economic pie for all. While there is an important and necessary role for direct Government support for those in need, we aim for a future where fewer people even require that support, because they have the opportunity for success.
“We will cut red tape and bureaucracy and make it easier for Bermudians to start and run businesses. This includes increasing the certainty and transparency of working with Government. Today, Government ministers often override rules and regulations for some, but not others. We will ensure fair access to Government contracts for all. We will also cut payroll taxes for business that hire young Bermudians, to incentivize their employment.
“And, we will attract high quality investment, from overseas and local investors. We will aggressively market to and seek them out – rather than fly to Dubai and CARICOM we will get actual projects and investments working on the ground today, that hire Bermudians and use Bermudian firms.
“A growing economy will also attract a larger working population, helping with costs like healthcare and pensions, which can be reduced by spreading them over a larger, younger, and healthier population.
Healthcare
“Health care costs and coverage are impacting Bermudians at all economic levels. Some Bermudians can’t afford any healthcare, some can’t retire for fear of losing healthcare, and others struggle with prescription and co-pay costs.
“We will ensure that everyone in Bermuda can get good health care with good health outcomes – at an affordable cost. We will do this by working collaboratively with our health care professionals and insurers – not threatening to lock them up.
Food and energy
“Like healthcare, food and energy costs are negatively impacted by our smaller working population. Fewer people buying food, gas, and electricity means those businesses need to charge more per person just to cover staff and operating costs. That’s why a growing, more vibrant economy with more workers is part of keeping those costs in control.
“However, we’ll immediately cut the Sugar Tax, and work with importers, distributors, and retailers to ensure that savings makes it to the costs of goods experienced by Bermudians. We will also work with local farmers and fishermen to increase local food production. For example, rather than bringing in expensive foreign consultants pitching high-tech and energy intensive vertical farms, we’ll work with our experienced local farmers on ‘right-tech’ solutions that work for Bermuda.
“We’ll address energy costs by giving the Regulatory Authority stronger powers to keep electricity costs in check. And, we’ll work on practical and immediately useful expansions of renewable energy, such as streamlining planning and other rules to make solar power feasible for renters and those with lower incomes.
Seniors
“Bermuda has an aging population, that needs to be taken care of with dignity and appreciation. Many individuals struggle to afford basic necessities as they age, and many families struggle to pay for care for their elders, including food, housing, and professional assistance. That’s why so many seniors are stuck in the hospital, when they should be somewhere dignified, comfortable, and cost-effective. We’ll support better services for our seniors, whether it to be to support independent living, or provide them a safe place to live with appropriate care.
“It would be fair to say all of the above collectively represents an ambitious agenda, which we acknowledge. However, it’s all essential work to arrive at a fair and prosperous Bermuda for all of us.”
PLP Response
Update 6:00pm: A PLP spokesperson said, “The OBA’s little eight-page pamphlet that they call a platform is little more than a bunch of nice-sounding words that conceal their real policies. We all remember what OBA candidate Carl Neblett said when he was asked about the cost of living—he said he had “no idea” what their plans were. Mr. Neblett is being more honest than Mr. Decouto.
“The OBA’s economic record is there for all to see: furlough days, a record deficit and the bad airport deal that cost tens of millions of dollars in revenue guarantees and leased this critical asset out to a Canadian company. The OBA’s economic record includes the bad Morgan’s Point deal that cost over $200 million and underfunded public schools so they could spend hundreds of millions on a boat race for the rich. And, the OBA told our seniors money doesn’t grow on trees.
“Contrast the OBA’s record with that of the PLP. When it comes to inflation and cost of living, these are tough times all around the world. And, in these tough times, we’ve stood by you and helped put a little more money in your pocket. We have reduced taxes for 86% of us while increasing taxes on the wealthy. We introduced the minimum wage. We raised the childcare income qualification and raised the childcare grant. We increased senior pensions six times. And, we built or refurbished over 70 affordable units with more on the way.
“We have concrete and realistic plans for the future that will provide more cost of living relief. This includes a senior daycare centre and support for a food coop to bring down the cost of living.
Update Feb 7 | PLP MP Neville Tyrrell said, “The OBA’s pamphlet doesn’t tell you what their real plans are – their selection of Michael Fahy in a traditional UBP/OBA safe seat does. Their plan is not to focus on the cost of living, but, to focus on bringing back Pathways to Status.
“On February 18th, protect our Bermudian status and let’s keep building a fairer Bermuda for all of us.
“We all remember what happened the last time the One Bermuda Alliance was in government. They did not increase pensions for four long years only to do so on the eve of the election. Now, OBA Shadow Finance Minister Doug Decouto in a press conference this week lamented how difficult
it was to raise senior pensions! He said, “It’s easy to give a pension increase, it’s not easy to pay for it.” This should set off an alarm bell for all seniors.
“These are difficult times all over the world. Cost of living is a major issue. Seniors are already struggling. And, now, the OBA will not committee to raising senior pensions every year? We remember when they told our seniors money doesn’t grow on trees. Seniors – beware. If you want to protect your pension increases, vote PLP.”
For full coverage of the 2025 Election and past elections, visit the links below, with comprehensive coverage available on our network website BermudaElections.com, the leading source of data and election videos.
- All: Our coverage of the 2025 General Election here
- 2025 Candidates: List of the 110 candidates
- Constituencies: Data/past results of all 36 constituencies
- Videos: Over 200 videos spanning multiple elections here
- Official: The Government’s election website here
- Comprehensive: Our BermudaElection.com website here
The new govt should immediately get 2 from each party and 2 independents and give them 4 week paid weeks of putting all ideas on the table and having one action report or we will hear today the govt come with a backlash against the oba because it has its head squashed between handles bars stuck on the govt radio saying : ,”they are making it up as they go.”
This is a wonderful piece of ‘fluff” from the OBA – again. I want the “how” of your plan – - I asked the Opposition Leader last summer to provide the “meat” to this plan and I am still waiting. I was one of the first people to hear your proposal and I am still waiting – - should I wait on Feb 18th as well?
The OBA will improve the economy the same way the last time they took over. Fiscal responsibility without monies disappearing everywhere.
yet again, no details.
“We will ensure that everyone in Bermuda can get good health care with good health outcomes – at an affordable cost. We will do this by working collaboratively with our health care professionals and insurers – not threatening to lock them up.”
Dramatics with no details.
Bermuda has an aging population, that needs to be taken care of with dignity and appreciation. Many individuals struggle to afford basic necessities as they age, and many families struggle to pay for care for their elders, including food, housing, and professional assistance. That’s why so many seniors are stuck in the hospital, when they should be somewhere dignified, comfortable, and cost-effective. We’ll support better services for our seniors, whether it to be to support independent living, or provide them a safe place to live with appropriate care.
“It would be fair to say all of the above collectively represents an ambitious agenda, which we acknowledge. However, it’s all essential work to arrive at a fair and prosperous Bermuda for all of us.”
Truth, with no details on the how.
what i love is to watch people poke holes in these …would they apply the same to the governing party if they did all they would see is fluff , failed promises , no vision , no solutions , bad decisions and just plain wasted funds. We are all so far off than were We Should Be. With 3+ billion in debt we should all have have felt the love but unfortunately we have way too many who cant pay the bills.
We saw growth under the OBA not that i am really a huge fan but progress is progress