Finance Minister Bob Richards declared himself “surprised” by the hostility he faced at an acrimonious town hall meeting called by the One Bermuda Alliance to present the recommendations of the Spending and Government Efficiency Commission.

The Deputy Premier’s remarks came at the close of Wednesday night’s packed and often heated presentation before an audience of hundreds.

Mr Richards told The Royal Gazette he believed there had been a great deal of public consultation with the Commission before the members of SAGE broke to compile their suggestions more than a year ago. The volunteer body held a series of its own town hall meetings last year before submitting its final report to Government.

But Shadow Finance Minister David Burt last night charged that the One Bermuda Alliance administration was bent on forcing cuts on the Island’s workers.

“It is essential that we balance the budget — however, it must be done in a balanced fashion,” Mr Burt said.

“Salary cuts and further job losses will only make our economy weaker and prolong the recession. Privatisation and outsourcing will only serve to widen the gap between the haves and have nots. The OBA need to focus on diversification and economic growth because if the civil service is to shrink, people will need jobs in the private sector.

“Public service reform must be done in a collaborative fashion and not with the arrogant approach of the OBA which tells the workers how things must go. The OBA must listen and find common ground with workers on a way for all of us to move towards a balanced budget.”

Drawing down Bermuda’s deficit has been a keystone of Mr Richards’ economic policy, but Mr Burt accused the OBA of increasing Bermuda’s debt rather than cutting it.

“The Government must have enough evidence that we cannot cut our way out of this problem,” he added. “Government spending has fallen consistently since 2010, and we are still in a recession, so cuts are not the answer.”