Response to Robert King's Statement

Issued by the Progressive Labour Party

Robert King’s Divisive Language is Not Best for Bermuda’s Future

The Progressive Labour Party (PLP) remains committed to building a Bermuda where the needs and well-being of all citizens are at the forefront of our policies and initiatives. Contrary to MP Robert King’s assertions, the PLP governs with a balance of empathy, evidence, and decisive action, ensuring that our decisions are rooted in both the well-being of the people and sound economic principles.

We believe that feelings matter. Bermudians who aren't being touched by economic growth and improving job numbers and who don't see Bermuda getting better for them shouldn't be ignored. It just motivates us to work harder, think deeper, and continue to push for solutions that reach everyone and have a truly transformative impact on their lives.

Our approach, which believes that no Bermudians should be left behind, is a sharp contrast to how the OBA operates: 

  • The OBA thought it was ok to freeze pensions for five years for our seniors regardless of how seniors felt. 
  • The OBA  thought it was ok to slash a woman’s access to mammograms, regardless of how women felt.
  • The OBA thought it was ok to invest over 100 million dollars into an America’s Cup where, according to its own economic report, the beneficiaries overwhelmingly did not represent the racial makeup of Bermuda, regardless of how Black Bermudians felt. 
  • The OBA thought it was ok to grow an economy where Bermudian jobs fell and non-Bermudian jobs grew.
  • The OBA thought it was ok to push forward a reckless, irresponsible Airport deal that continues to hamper our country’s progress regardless of how Bermudians felt.

The OBA thought all of that was okay, and in fact, their “leaders,” such as Jarion Richardson, have refused to apologise, refused to change their approach, and pledged to continue their reckless, society-destabilizing approach.

The OBA may not care how Bermudians feel, but we in the PLP do. Alongside facts, figures and statistics, our approach is underpinned by the simple belief that Bermudians matter and Bermudians’ feelings matter.  

That's why we can apologise when we don’t get things 100% correct.

That's why we can constantly look at our decisions, and when new facts arise or when we learn that our approach is inadvertently creating harm, we can pause, reassess and try again.

 

We believe that governance involves listening to the concerns of the people and responding with empathy and action. Our policies are shaped by the realities that Bermudians face every day, from the cost of living to the challenges of accessing quality healthcare and education​. In the PLP, we believe in an inclusive approach that leaves no one behind, which is why we continue to invest in the social safety net and strive to make steady progress toward Bermuda, which is fairer and more equitable for all.

In conclusion, the people of Bermuda will not be swayed by Mr. King's divisive rhetoric and misrepresentations. The PLP will continue to govern with the principles of fairness, empathy, and economic responsibility, working tirelessly to build a better Bermuda for everyone.