Zane DeSilva has accused the One Bermuda Alliance of doing a “cut and paste” job in its Throne Speech, effectively taking credit for policies and projects put in place by the Progressive Labour Party.

Referring to the Government’s claim that there had been a “surge in hotel development” involving Ariel Sands, Fairmont Hamilton Princess and Pink Beach, among others, the Shadow Tourism Minister protested in his Throne Speech reply: “A surge? A surge, Mr Speaker? Surge is code word for hoodwinked. They hoodwinked the public into thinking it was their work.”

In response, Shawn Crockwell, the Tourism Minister, acknowledged the work of the PLP, in particular the announcement of the Hamilton Princess development under Wayne Furbert, the former Business Development and Tourism Minister. The Green family bought the hotel in September 2012, under the PLP, saying at the time: “We would like to thank the Government for their help in enabling us to complete the deal so quickly.”

Mr Crockwell went on to say, though: “The real work is done after the announcement,” pointing out that the work was now under way, under the OBA’s watch.

Highlighting that the first phase created 250 jobs, as will the second phase, followed by 115 permanent jobs, Mr Crockwell added: “We took the baton and we made it happen.”

The Tourism Minister tipped his hat to the introduction of the Hotel Concessions Act 2000 led by the late David Allen, the PLP’s first Tourism Minister, but added that Bermuda, “is still way behind and needs to come up with something fiscally attractive for developers”.

Revised legislation paved the way for a $14.2 million tax concession for the Hamilton Princess for what was then drafted as a $70 million hotel development, that figure has since risen to $90m. At the time, former Independent MP Terry Lister criticised the revision saying it disregarded the “give and take” spirit of the Act that included training and employment benefits for Bermudian workers in return for relief.

He said in an interview: “That give and take was actually taken off the table in this revised document. There’s no give and take, it’s only give —give away your taxes with no terms and conditions on the return.”

Mr DeSilva went on to describe the OBA’s “trickery with words” in relation to the groundbreaking at Ariel Sands saying that despite the ceremony attended by Premier Michael Dunkley, part-owner Michael Douglas, government ministers and businessmen – the project hadn’t technically broken ground as it was only in the demolition stage with no application for construction in place.

He called for more information on the project and proof that it would create 50 to 70 jobs during construction, as announced at the ceremony.

Ariel Sands’ developer Seth Weinstein of Olympic Property Partners said in a recent interview with The Royal Gazette: “Whether you call it a ‘groundbreaking’ or a commencement ceremony, the fact is that the activity starting on Wednesday marked the beginning of the redevelopment of Ariel Sands, the first phase of the development being the demolition of the existing structures.”

Ariel Sands was to get a $100 million makeover during Dr Ewart Brown’s time in office but was shelved, in part, due to the downturn in the economy. Mr Douglas recently told The Royal Gazette that his decision to go ahead with the redevelopment now, marked a vote of confidence in Bermuda’s economy, as well as in the current Government and site developer.

The new redevelopment is slated for completion in the spring of 2017.