Cost of Living Legislation Fails In Senate
[Updated] A tied vote in the Senate today [Sept 14] resulted in the Cost of Living Commission Amendment No. 2 Act 2026 failing to pass.
The five PLP/Government Senators voted for the legislation, all three OBA/Opposition Senators opposed it and two Independent Senators [Joan Dillas-Wright and John Wight] also voted against it and Independent senator Tawana Tannock was recorded as absent when the vote was taken, so the the 5-5 tied vote resulted in the Bill failing to pass.
The bill [read PDF here] served to ”enable the designation, price information monitoring and price sharing of critical services, the price increase control of essential commodities, the consultation and collaboration between the Commission and other public authorities with responsibility for the regulation or consumer protection of commodities, and to make related amendments.”
The Chamber of Commerce had expressed concern about the legislation saying that, “overregulation of the private sector will not reduce the cost of living or the cost of doing business in Bermuda.”
OBA Senator Victoria Cunningham, the Opposition Senate Leader, said, “The defeat of the Cost of Living Commission Amendment (No. 2) Bill 2026 in the Senate is not a defeat for cost-of-living relief, it is proof that the Senate’s scrutiny process works exactly as it should.
“This Bill was tested on its merits, in open debate in both Chambers. It did not survive that scrutiny and notably, it was not only the Opposition that reached that conclusion. Independent Senators, exercising their own independent judgment on the substance of the legislation, arrived at the same view: that this Bill would have handed the Government sweeping new discretionary powers over Bermudian businesses without a corresponding, demonstrated mechanism for bringing prices down.
“That is the Senate doing its job. The Senate exists precisely to catch legislation that has not been fully thought through before it becomes law and on this Bill, across party and independent lines, that is what happened.
“To be clear: the Opposition’s position has not changed. We will support any legislation that genuinely reduces the cost of living for Bermudian families. This Bill did not do that. It expanded ministerial power and business compliance burdens without addressing the actual drivers of Bermuda’s cost of living: shipping, import duty, and energy costs.
“We call on the Government to return with a bill that tackles those root causes directly. Bermudians deserve real relief, not a wider regulatory net.”
Update: Opposition Leader Ben Smith said, “Today’s Senate defeat of the PLP’s price control legislation is a huge win for Shadow Minster Dwayne Robinson, Senate Leader Victoria Cunningham, and our whole OBA Team.
“More importantly, the defeat of the PLP’s disastrous bill is also a win for all Bermudians.
“Today’s Senate vote also shows the continuing value of Independent Senators, who can vote on Government legislation, taking into account Island-wide interests.
“Today the OBA and Independent Senators combined to do what was right for Bermudians.
“The PLP Government’s attempt to address our cost of living crisis with price controls was deeply flawed.
“Given the PLP created many of the problems Bermudians now face, no one should be surprised the PLP cannot solve them.”
Update: Shadow Home Affairs Minister Dwayne Robinson said, “I commend the One Bermuda Alliance and Independent Senators on fulfilling their democratic role and putting the brakes on harmful Government legislation. The Cost of Living Commission Amendment [No.2] Bill 2026 was voted down in the Upper House.
“This Bill would have had a negative effect on consumer choice, market competition, and Bermudian employment.
“The bill can only be delayed for a year. My recommendation is that the Minister take the time to truly consult with industry stakeholders and work on a plan to address the high shipping costs for our local businesses providing essential commodities.
“I would encourage her to reflect on the effectiveness of her strategy of attempting to pressure or shame independent senators in the public domain to influence their vote.
“As always, the One Bermuda Alliance reminds the Minister that she should:
- repeal the sugar tax
- remove the Foreign Currency Purchasing tax
- pursue Competition laws
- increase the strength of our regulators to enforce market fairness along with consumer rights
- to remove herself from the IRP process [which has cost the taxpayers $24,000 and counting in government legal expenses]
“If she starts here, Bermudians will feel immediate relief from the crippling cost of living.”
“I would encourage her to reflect on the effectiveness of her strategy of attempting to pressure or shame independent senators in the public domain to influence their vote.”
Why? That strategy has worked for the PLP Government for years.
The independents show that they are really not independent, but more so allies with the Governor and the OBA. Especially when it comes to protecting profits of business over the wellbeing of the people.
I wonder now what the OBA and Independents believe the solutions are?
“As always, the One Bermuda Alliance reminds the Minister that she should:
repeal the sugar tax
remove the Foreign Currency Purchasing tax
pursue Competition laws
increase the strength of our regulators to enforce market fairness along with consumer rights
to remove herself from the IRP process [which has cost the taxpayers $24,000 and counting in government legal expenses]