HAMILTON, Bermuda, CMC—Premier David Burt has dismissed the suggestion of a lift within the ruling Progressive Labour Party (PLP) as nonsense.
“I don’t accurately represent where things stand. The fact is that in every family, there are challenges, and we will work through those particular challenges. The entire parliamentary group is united on delivering a progressive agenda. That is resonating with the people.
“It’s nonsense to say that we are not good at governing,” Burt said, adding that the ruling party “will continue to press forward with governing.”
But he acknowledged that “there will always be different policy matters that people disagree with,” adding, “That’s the benefit, or curse some would say, of having 30 seats, now 28.”
Former cabinet office minister Vance Campbell, who resigned from the government and has since joined the central opposition One Bermuda Alliance (OBA), said earlier this week that the PLP was no longer “fit to govern” this British Overseas Territory.
“Our children are Bermuda’s future. Our children must make their way in the world that we leave behind. So I entered politics because I wanted that future to be better for all our children, and I wanted to be part of a team that delivered that better future,” Campbell said at an OBA news conference, adding, “In 2011, I believed that team to be the Bermuda Progressive Labour Party.”
However, he said his experiences since then have taught him differently, saying, “Sadly, today, in 2024, in assessing the years between 2011 and now, the conclusion that I kept coming to was that the political party that I joined many years ago, the Bermuda Progressive Labour Party, no longer presents the best option for securing a better future for Bermuda.
“I can no longer visit my constituents’ homes and say to you, in all honesty, that I still have faith in the PLP. I can no longer ask you, my constituents, to support me as a PLP MP.”
But Premier Burt told the newspaper that his administration has had several successes after inheriting “a significant Budget deficit,” the expensive failure of the Morgan’s Point project, navigating a “once-in-a-century pandemic, and managing to recover our economy.”
Burt said the statements by his former minister, whom he once described as a “valued member of the Cabinet,” came from “someone trying to ingratiate himself with his new party.
“But his comments were completely different when he was in the House of Assembly when he spoke during the budget reply,” Premier Burt said, noting that people could “make their views and opinions” on the administration’s performance.
“We have record international business growth; we have the largest number of jobs in international business and the lowest unemployment rate…through difficult circumstances”.
Burt also dismissed accusations that a personal agenda is influencing his leadership, telling the newspaper, “I remain focused on delivering for the people of Bermuda, and we, right now, as I announced in my national address, are working on a midyear budget review.”
He said the ruling party is intent on “increasing social investment and social protections” while the OBA “advocated for the slashing of government programs and support.
“That’s what they say at every single point in time. I am happy to have a debate, and we will have that debate when Parliament resumes on September 20.”
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