Junior Cost Of Living Commission Established
Minister of Home Affairs Alexa Lightbourne has announced the establishment of the inaugural Junior Cost of Living Commission to include young people’s perspectives in Bermuda’s affordability strategy.
A Government spokesperson said, “As part of the Government’s commitment to ensuring that Bermuda’s affordability agenda reflects the lived experiences of all generations, the Minister of Home Affairs, the Hon. Alexa Lightbourne, JP, MP, announced the establishment of the inaugural Junior Cost of Living Commission.
“The group was formed during the Ministry’s summer student programme to incorporate the youth voice in the development of Bermuda’s strategy in addressing the cost of living.
“The Junior Cost of Living Commission convened in July and met weekly to develop practical recommendations on affordability for submission to the statutory Cost-of-Living Commission through the Ministry of Home Affairs, including measures not fully explored in the Affordable Bermuda Agenda.
“This was another opportunity for the Ministry to be inclusive of Bermuda’s youth and to continue actively encouraging and including them in the development of policies and legislation that will also impact their future. An important element of the Junior Commission’s work was the opportunity for members to draw on their experiences of studying and living overseas. Members identified several initiatives that they had encountered in other jurisdictions and considered whether aspects could potentially be adapted to Bermuda’s circumstances.
“The Junior Cost-of-Living Commission chaired by Mr. Einnajae Caines, comprised a diverse group of young Bermudians representing local institutions, international universities and the workforce, including:
- Mr. Einnajae Caines – Nottingham Trent University
- Mr. Mathew Moreno – Indiana University
- Mr. Jayce Fraser – Georgia State University
- Mr. Tajer Basden – Johnson C. Smith University
- Miss Kyiah Robinson – University of Essex
- Miss Nasya Burgess – North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University
- Mr. Christen Lugo – Leeds Beckett University
- Mr Ywione Darrell – Bermuda Monetary Authority
- Miss Ajai Peets – The Office of Youth Affairs
- Mr. Zayne Sinclair – Youth Entrepreneur
“During its meetings, members examined the purpose of the Junior Cost-of-Living Commission and explored what affordability means from a youth perspective.
“The discussion highlighted that affordability challenges vary across different stages of young adulthood, from education to employment and independent living. It was also noted that future policy responses must reflect these differing lived experiences.”
Minister Lightbourne said, “By empowering young Bermudians to challenge ideas, test our initiatives and put forward their own recommendations, we are strengthening both our policy development and our democracy. If we are serious about building a more affordable Bermuda, we must also be serious about listening to the generation that will inherit it. The Junior Cost of Living Commission ensures that young Bermudians are actively helping to shape the solutions.”
Junior cost of living but not absentee voting.
Performative Politics – Emphasizes the theatrical or spectacle side—rallies, press events, executive-order signings, commissions, or high-profile statements that create the impression of decisive leadership or progress while often producing minimal actual policy change. Academic work has described this as the state using language, symbols, and gestures when it faces pressure but lacks capacity (or will) for real results.
Gesture politics – refers to actions, announcements, or symbolic moves made primarily for public attention, political credit, or the appearance of activity, while having little or no real substantive effect or follow-through. The Cambridge Dictionary defines it as any action done for political reasons to attract attention but with little real effect.
Announcement politics – A pattern of publicizing plans, initiatives, or intentions for media or voter appeal without subsequent implementation.
Fake – MP who did speeches and wrote announcements for a former Premier who is now pretending to be effective with lots of Instagram posts (daily), lots of announcements but is not capable of actually doing anything. Ably assisted by a Communications (director) and other bloggers.
New premier, please appoint a team who are capable of actually doing the work and not just talking about CONSULTATION and smiling for press and media announcements.
The saddest part is these young Bermudians on Junior Cost of Living Internet Meetings Club actually believe they will have an impact and have no idea they are being used as stage props. Sad.
Typical typical typical.
Agree 100%
All we have now is a bunch of posers using a lot of fluffy language.
It’s a pity there’s no other group who can ‘politic’ as well as the PLP .