🏠 Tackling Affordability: The Progressive Labour Party’s Commitment to Bermudians

From: Anthony Richardson, PLP Candidate for Constituency #7

For many Bermudians, affordability is the single biggest challenge in their daily lives. Whether it’s rent, groceries, electricity, or banking fees, too many families and seniors find themselves struggling to keep up. The Progressive Labour Party (PLP) understands these realities and has already taken concrete steps to ease the burden—cutting taxes for 86% of workers, freezing fuel prices, and expanding affordable housing. 💡

🔍 The PLP’s 2025 Platform: Practical Solutions for Affordability

🏡 Housing Initiatives:

• Affordable Housing Conversions: Transforming the Bermudiana Beach Resort and Grand Atlantic into affordable housing with rent-to-own opportunities and a housing lottery for first-time buyers.
• Inclusionary Housing and Zoning Policy: Ensuring new developments include affordable units.
• Landlord and Tenant Act Amendments: Protecting both renters and landlords while ensuring fair treatment.
• Ending Homelessness: Developing a comprehensive plan in partnership with nonprofits and key stakeholders.

💲 Everyday Cost Reductions:

• Customs Duties Elimination: On all building materials and motor vehicle parts, lowering expenses for homeowners and vehicle owners.
• Energy Tax Reduction: Further 20% reduction, bringing the total to 80%.
• Transportation and Communication Savings: Lowering private car licensing fees by 10% and cutting mobile phone taxes by 50%.
• Digital Grocery Price Tracker: Helping consumers compare food prices to ensure fair pricing.

🔒 Enhancing Consumer Protections:

• Financial Watchdog: Monitoring and reducing excessive banking fees.
• Mortgage Protections: Strengthening support for those facing financial hardship.
• Lender Code of Conduct Updates: Ensuring fair borrowing practices.
• Addressing Insurance Premiums: Working with the Bermuda Monetary Authority to manage rising home insurance costs.

The PLP has never been afraid to act. Over the past seven years, we have cut taxes, stabilized healthcare costs, expanded affordable housing, and strengthened worker protections. Now, through our 2025 Platform, we are going even further—ensuring that affordability is not just a goal, but a reality. 📈

We invite every Bermudian to read the platform, engage with its ideas, and be part of the conversation. Together, we can continue building a fairer, stronger, and more affordable Bermuda for all. 🌍