Column: OBA’s Smith On Cost Of Living & More
[Opinion column written by the Opposition Leader Ben Smith]
In my day-to-day activities, whenever I stop to talk to everyday Bermudians, the topic of conversation is usually the same—how they are surviving everyday life in Bermuda. While it’s no surprise that some are faring better than others, at the core there are glaring similarities.
Families are feeling the pressure of the eye watering cost of living in Bermuda. Too many are struggling to find a place to live. Roads that should have been repaired years ago are still in poor condition. People are also concerned about the driving culture in Bermuda. Many tell me they feel less safe on the roads now than they did a few years ago. There are also real worries about access to healthcare. Some would prefer to suffer in silence with the hope their ailment goes away, rather than face exorbitant medical bills.
These are the issues people raise, and they ask a simple question: Why does it feel like finding solutions to these problems are not a priority of the Government?
That question has guided the decisions I have taken in recent weeks as the interim leader of the One Bermuda Alliance.
Recently, changes were made to our Shadow Cabinet and this wasn’t done simply for effect. In fact, it was quite the opposite. The changes were the result of a proper review of what strengths each of our Parliamentarians hold. The intent was to place the right people in roles that are better aligned with their passions and areas of expertise.
As a team, this will enable us to work collaboratively, and to better serve the people of Bermuda.
If we expect to earn the responsibility to govern, we must show that we are organised and ready to do so.
We have also set up three committees that focus on cost of living, health, and community safety. These are working groups that are expected to produce practical solutions with clear steps for delivery and a way to tangibly measure progress.
For too long, ideas have been raised and plans have been announced without a clear path for delivery. That approach may create headlines, but it does not solve problems. People across Bermuda can see that.
If you drive around the island, you can see the gap between what is said and what has been done.
Roads remain in a poor state that frustrates commuters and places peoples’ life at risk. At the same time, driving standards have slipped.
One should not feel like they are playing Russian Roulette as they navigate never ending pot holes.
It’s no secret we are in the midst of a housing crisis. Families and individuals alike are trying to find somewhere to live and cannot. And now it seems, when people do find places, the rents are way beyond their economic reach. Young Bermudians, turned off by this sense of hopelessness, are finding it difficult to remain in Bermuda—if they return after graduating from school.
We cannot keep offering lip service. Bermudians are tired. They are financially stretched. They are displaced. This cannot continue.
While there have been a number of political distractions in the last few months, my responsibility is to stay focused on what people are telling me matters.
Bermuda does not need more noise. What we need is steady leadership and a clear plan. It needs people who are prepared to do the work, even when it is daunting.
We are working to meet that standard. That means being disciplined in how we operate. It means being clear about what we are trying to achieve. It means following through.
For too long, we have seen promises that do not lead to change that the people of Bermuda can feel. The issues our people are facing are interconnected and they require a multi disciplined approach.
In the end, this is not about winning an argument. It is about making improvements that people can see and feel in their own lives.
- Opposition Leader and OBA Interim Leader Ben Smith
Any solutions?
What in the Chatgpt!