PLP Blog | Bermuda Progressive Labour Party

Yesterday, Finance Minister Paula Cox announced a plan to revitalise north east Hamilton. Minister Cox's plan is part of the PLP Government's continued commitment to cracking down on crime and improving quality of life in Bermuda. Minister Cox:

The plan outlines a number of fresh and innovative initiatives which will transform the EEZ into an aesthetically pleasing environment, while taking into account the need to balance the area's cultural, historical and architectural attributes...

Such a transformation includes revitalising the current design and infrastructure, adding more street lights, expanding the pedestrian aspects of the area, the introduction of more public art in the area, and the creation of public and private open spaces.

Even the Royal Gazette calls the PLP Government's plan "innovative and creative." Minister Cox concludes:

Attracting more Bermudians and tourists alike to the area, improving and increasing housing stock, providing community facilities, protecting areas of cultural value, consolidating neighbourhoods, increasing commercial opportunities, upgrading visual and social experiences, restoring control to the neighbourhood and inspiring investor confidence are projected to be some of the beneficial outcomes.

Revitilising North East Hamilton is part of the PLP's continued commitment to improving the communities where Bermudians live, work and play. Bermudians and tourists alike will benefit from the job creation, new economic investment, and additional economic opportunities that a revitilised North East Hamilton has to offer. Once again, the PLP Government is leading the way.

The long, slow death of the United Bermuda Party is marching forward with an article in today's daily (featuring an expected, pro-opposition headline). In the article, former UBP Leader Wayne Furbert had some scathing words for the UBP.

Wayne Furbert on the so-called "reform" report:

I was disappointed and disgusted.

Knowing that there were people on that committee that I had a lot of trust in – I won't call their names – who I always thought wanted change, yet nothing comes out.

It makes you wonder what is going on. Who's controlling that report?

Maybe it's the same, old wealthy elites that have always controlled the UBP? People who are out of touch with the community and who are more concerned with holding on to what little power they have left than understanding why a majority of working Bermudians don't trust them.

Furbert also expressed a startling lack of confidence in UBP Leader Kim Swan. The Royal Gazette:

He said leader Kim Swan was only in charge because no-one else wanted the job.

"I think most of the group recognise that Kim is not the leader to take the UBP forward."

Wow. Harsh words. I wonder if the pro-UBP media will now begin a series of articles on Kim Swan's support within the UBP? Doubtful. But, that's not what matters - what matters is that Bermudians know that Kim Swan is a weak leader who ascended to the leadership more by default than because of strong support for his leadership. He's distrusted by the Bermudian people and it's now clear that he commands little respect in his own party.

Furbert concludes:

Most of those people are in safe seats, they can't win marginals. Yet still they are telling me - a guy who understands marginals, who understands more about the black community, that I am wrong. I find that so ironic...

The problem is most black people in this Island cannot trust the UBP, they don't find it attractive.

There's good reason that people don't trust the UBP. They don't trust the UBP because of three decades of rule of, by, and for the aristocracy. They don't trust the UBP because of how they treated black leaders like Gwyneth Rawlins, Jamahl Simmons and Wayne Furbert. And, now, it's clear that the UBP isn't reforming because the old money elitists that control the UBP aren't capable of real reform.

During Emancipation week, Premier Ewart Brown and the rest of the PLP leadership were out and about in the community meeting with Bermudians and talking about the issues that matter to people's lives. Here are a few scenes from Emancipation Week:

"Trial by Fire" on Wednesday Night at the Hamilton Princess

Bootsies on Wednesday Night after "Trial by Fire"

Premier @ Captain's Lounge after work on Wednesday

Premier Greeting Players @ His Pre-Cup Match Reception

Premier @ Cup Match

2008 YTD Tourism Performance
Above 5-year Average

Total visitors to Bermuda in the second quarter of 2008 declined 4.29% when compared to the same period last year, Premier Dr. Ewart F. Brown revealed in a Tourism and Transport Ministry address earlier today.

Premier Brown is Minister of Tourism and Transport.

Although there is a visitor arrivals decline in the face of an economic slowdown in the United States, the 2008 year-to-date numbers outperformed 2004, 2005 and 2006.

In 2004 there were 204,812 total visitors in the first six months.

In 2005 there were 218,217 total visitors in the first six months.

In 2006 there were 265,835 total visitors in the first six months.

In 2008 there were 267,666 total visitors in the first six months.

In the past five years, only 2007 outperformed 2008 in the first six months. In 2007 there were 281,607 total visitors in the first six months.

In an effort to maintain Bermuda’s consistent industry growth, despite an economic slowdown in the country where most visitors emanate, Premier Brown will convene a Tourism Summit on August 15th with about 20 industry partners.

The Premier said: “We’ll talk about the U.S. economy and discuss to what extent we need to shift additional resources to Canada, the United Kingdom and Europe where economic conditions are healthier, but airlift is limited.”

Air arrivals in the second quarter of this year were up from most countries, excluding the United States. Air visitors from Canada were up 6%, the United Kingdom up 5.9% and the rest of the world up 12.1%, the Premier revealed. Air visitors from the United States were down 14.5%

The Royal Gazette reported on the first ever meeting of a joint select committee on education. Chaired by PLP MP Neletha Butterfield, the group consists of members of the Progressive Labour Party and the United Bermuda Party.

The committee will discuss the Hopkins Report and take a bipartisan approach to improving education. This select committee is a testament to the PLP Government's sincere efforts to improve education on the island. The truth is, improving our schools is more important than political parties and the PLP is taking the lead to bridge the partisan divide and bring people together to deliver for Bermudians.

Today's Bermuda Sun blared a misleading headine whose veracity their own article contradicts.

Based on a reading of the headline, "Survey: Politics Hurts Business," one would assume that a large number of international business people interviewed would have cited our political climate as a problem. Moreover, the sub-headline goes on to site the "political climate" as one of the major "obstacles" that Bermuda most overcome. Wow, based on the headline, lots of people surveyed must have complained about our politics, right?

Wrong. Unfortunately for the UBP, the headline is incredibly misleading. The survey and the Sun's own article contradict the misleading headline:

For the seventy per cent overall who said they were very or somewhat familiar with the Bermuda market, five per cent expressed concern about the political climate.

That's it? Just 5%? A 5% response warrants the headline "Politics hurts business" and a sub-headline that cites "political climate" as a major obstacle for international business? That's ridiculous. Even when the Sun manipulates the numbers to try to get the statistics to tell the slanted story they want to write, they still can't get the politics response over 10%.

The Sun's headline is misleading and Bermudians deserve to know the truth. But, that's not the only problem with the survey and the article.

It's worth noting that the article is only focused on the negative - what Bermuda is doing wrong. The truth is, when it comes to international business, we're doing a lot of things right here in Bermuda. It's why international business is attracted to this island. A balanced survey and a fair article would also report on what Bermuda is doing right in addition to what it can improve.

With the 10th anniversary of 1998 just a few months away, Walter Roban, JP, MP has submitted an update to the history section of our website.

MP Roban's update primarily chronicles the year 2007.

2007 saw the loss of some giants in the history of the Progressive Labour Party. Dame Lois Browne-Evans, Dr. Pauulu R N O B Kamarakafego and the last remaining member of the "Garage Gang" who founded our great party, Albert 'Peter' Smith. They will not be forgotten:

In March 2007, party founding member Albert 'Peter' Smith dies at the age of 80. Mr. Smith is the last of the 'Garage Gang' the core group of individuals who founded the party in 1963; the members of this group were Wilfred 'Mose' Allen, Hugh ‘Rio' Richardson, Robert Austin Wilson, Edward DeJean, Walter N H Robinson, Dilton Cann, and Alan Butterfield.

In April 2007, the architect of Universal Adult Suffrage in Bermuda, former PLP MP and Party Education Officer, Dr. Pauulu R N O B Kamarakafego (formerly Roosevelt Brown) passes away after a period of extended illness.

On 29 May 2007, the public awakens to the devastating announcement that Dame Lois M. Browne-Evans DBE JP former Party Leader and Opposition Leader has passed away suddenly at the age of 79 in the early hours of the morning. She apparently suffered a stroke. Later that Tuesday morning Premier and Party Leader Dr the Hon. Ewart F. Brown and his Cabinet addressed the country on the passing of Dame Lois. In his comments on behalf of the Government, Premier Brown describes her as, "... a legend like no other…a champion for justice - not just for blacks but for all Bermudians..."

The funeral of Dame Lois on 5 June 2007 was the most emotional in recent memory with thousands of Bermudians witnessing and listening to the ceremony at the Cathedral of the Holy Trinity. A procession to her internment led by her family and closest colleagues in the party, was followed by thousands of people. It was apparent that her contribution to the people and country was remembered and would not be forgotten.

2007 was also the year of our strong, third straight general election mandate. The election is remembered:

To the surprise of many, just hours after the Throne Speech, Premier the Hon Dr. Ewart F. Brown ends the election mystery and suspense. He announces to the country that he has visited the Governor and requested he prorogue the Parliament in order to hold a general election dated Tuesday 18 December 2008.

In a first for Bermuda, Premier Ewart Brown used a YouTube video on the Progressive Labour Party's website to announce the date of the general election.

At the Annual Delegates Conference Banquet that followed on 3 November, Premier Dr Ewart Brown delivered a rally call to party supporters to mobilise and work in concert. In a hard-hitting speech, Dr Brown called for members to focus their energies on winning the upcoming election.

The six weeks going up to the election was filled with a great deal of energy and sometimes-confrontational rhetoric between the completing parties. The campaign slogan for a third consecutive victory was, 'Moving Bermuda Forward' with a mission to make it ‘Three Straight!!!’ Another effective campaign tag line promoted across the island was ‘PLP Solid!!!’ The party focused its energy and resources on saturating the political landscape; proving the party was the dominant force in the country for progress and change.

The Party put forth a presentation and image of a government that has delivered by ensuring sound economic stability and performance, enhanced the quality of life for seniors, providing affordable housing, a turnaround in Tourism and a commitment to education reform.

The party launched it platform on December 9, 2007. A comprehensive and expertly crafted document titled, 'Patterns of Progress', it outlined the party’s vision, plans and promises to the people for its next term of government. Some of the party's chief promises in the platform were:

• Interest-free down payments for 500 first time Bermudian homeowners
• Building more geared-to-income housing units, especially single unit apartments for young Bermudians.
• The continuation of the Bermuda Race Relations Initiative throughout 2008.
• Partnerships with businesses to develop training and apprenticeship models in information technology
• Free ferry and bus transportation
• Free day care for means-tested Bermudian families though neighborhood based childcare providers such as churches;
• Future Care; a comprehensive healthcare and insurance scheme for seniors.

On December 18, 2007, the party succeeds with a third straight victory winning 22 seats of 36 seats in the House of Assembly. Despite the disappointment of losing the seat in constituency 4 St. George’s South, two sitting members M. Dean Foggo, and George Scott the party maintains its parliamentary majority. Two exciting victories for the night was new candidate Zane DeSilva gaining a seat in Constituency 30 and Patrice Minors retaining her seat by defeating challenger Michael Dunkley, the Leader of the Opposition.

Not only did the party successfully keep its majority, it managed to increase its percentage of the popular vote from 51.6% percent to 52.5% percent.

In 2008, we have delivered on our mandate and passed free day care to those who need it, revolitionised education with bold reforms, extended dental benefits, and we extended public transportation and education benefits.

The PLP has always been focused squarely on improving the lives of the Bermudian people and we will continue to live up to our commitment to social and economic justice.

PLP rising star Marc Bean spoke candidly in today's paper about Dr. Brown and his leadership. Senator Bean:

Many people see him in the public or in the media and their opinions are formed or shaped by what they hear, but I can speak from a position of being up close and personal...

Dr. Brown is not a perfect man, I've said that on other occasions, but nobody's perfect and he is a very strong leader...

He takes advice and he listens, contrary to what people may think, he listens, but at the same time, because he is a physician, he is decisive... In other words, he will make the final decision if that responsibility is not carried out by the person to whom it is delegated.

Strong, effective and decisive leaders deliver for Bermuda. This year alone, we've seen expanded health care benefits, landmark education reform, expanded transportation and higher education benefits and free day care for working Bermudian families.

This is the mark of effective leadership in action that puts people first. No matter how much the the elitists in the UBP and the media may try to divide and smear, Dr. Brown and the PLP team will remain focused on improving the lives of Bermudians.

Senator Bean is doing his part:

I am really enjoying this position and there is a lot I am learning about.

Only 20 percent of my work has to do with the Senate directly and 80 percent is to do with the ministries and I'm enjoying the challenge.

Tourism is in transition from a position of stagnation to a period of growth. Transport is essential, especially living on an Island like Bermuda so we are looking to increase the use of public transport such as ferries.

We also need to look at the behaviour of road users.

We are now experiencing the negative effects of that with 11 road fatalities and countless numbers of serious injuries this year.

So, that's a challenge with in itself because no legislation or policies can change people's thinking and behaviour.

Likewise, the environment needs to be protected. The world is facing a food crisis, so it's important we start thinking about ways and means we can increase the agriculture production in Bermuda including fish and, at the same time, finding that balance and protecting the Island's resources.

And sports, to me, is one of the centrepieces of nationhood.

Senator Bean is a young and energetic leader deeply rooted in the community. He understands the needs of working people and ably represents them in the Senate and as a Junior Minister. Like so many in the PLP caucus, he isn't distracted by petty, personal politics and is focused squarely on improving the island that he loves.

The PLP is delivering expanded health and dental care for Bermudians at no additional cost. The Royal Gazette:

Health Minister Nelson Bascome announced yesterday that Government's Health Insurance Plan, HIP, will be expanding its coverage starting on Friday.

The expansion, which he said comes at no additional cost, was initially announced in May. It includes a basic dental plan, provided in co-operation with the Argus Group, as well as $100,000 in coverage for kidney transplants.

It's simply laughable that while the PLP is revolutionising our education system and expanding health and dental coverage for Bermudians that we are the ones that are supposedly 'elitist.' It seems like there's a big disconnect between the media spin and the truth.

Judge us by our works and our commitment to helping working families. Not by mere words and unfounded accusations in the pro-UBP media.

The policies of the PLP government are focused on improving the lives of hard working Bermudians. And, this health care expansion is a landmark reform that will help working families.

Good dental care is a critical part of good health. And, by providing dental coverage through HIP at no additional charge, we are improving the lives of those who couldn't otherwise afford it. This is an important reform and one that will effect the quality of life for countless Bermudians now and in the future. The Royal Gazette:

The dental coverage offered by HIP includes basic preventative and diagnostic services, along with surgical and minor restorative dentistry work, funding 75 percent of expenses on qualified procedures.

This is bold reform that helps people. And, it's yet another example of how the PLP is using it's time in government to improve the lives of working families. There's nothing elitist about expanding dental coverage. Far from it. It's about taking care of the health and dental needs of those who need it most.

While the media may want to focus on sensational accusations, the PLP government is focused on helping hard working Bermudians.

Even the Royal Gazette acknowledges that the PLP government is "revolutionising education" by implementing much needed reform.

The Bermudian people called upon the PLP government to deliver better education and we've acted in a bold and responsible way. We commissioned a comprehensive study, we identified the problems and, now, we're moving quickly to take steps to fix our education system with landmark reforms.

The Royal Gazette:

Under the new law underperforming principals and teachers will face the sack, a new Commissioner of Education will supervise and evaluate education performance and the school leaving age will be raised from 16 to 18.

The PLP government's education reforms are about increasing accountability and improving student performance. It also reorganizes the Education Department and it focuses squarely on improving student performance in the core areas of reading, comprehension and math. There's also a strong emphasis on improving critical thinking skills.

While the media may focus on the sensational, the PLP government is focused squarely on improving the lives of Bermudians. This legislation is bold and shows how the PLP effectively tackles a big problem. First, we study the problem, then we analyse proposed solutions and, finally, we take bold action.