20 November, 2014

Dear Sir,

Who’s interest is the OBA putting first, the people of Bermuda or special interest?

Please allow us the opportunity to express our concerns to your reading audience.

Our early history records our place in the Maritime Atlantic World. Bermuda’s people and partners have a long history of providing service both in the hospitality, international and finance sectors of our economy. We have committed treason and indulged in pirating during our early isolation and our people did what was necessary to survive.

During the 20th century our political and industry leaders recognised our economy was vulnerable at the time, especially during the Second World War, and started to open Bermuda by inviting international interest to establish a presence to conduct business activities to protect their off shore operations elsewhere in the world.

In opening our shores, the conventional wisdom was, and should always be, to protect the interests of Bermuda and its people. At the beginning of this century we have seen a gradual relaxation of this policy and more so since the OBA has come to power. In fact, the Finance Minister has admitted that we may have to relax this policy even more. To say, we may have to rethink the 60/40 rule is an understatement to say the least.

The recent announcement of the historic agreement to pave the way for a 21st century airport facility, and other recent announcements made by the OBA, is clearly an effort to undermine Bermuda and its people, especially the middle-class, on the argument that PLP left us in us in such a financial state that we may have to flush the baby down with the bathwater, in order for us to survive.

We do not recall a statement in their election platform that suggested that we will have to give up our interest in order to continue to help others in the world to solve their problems.

We cannot believe the OBA came up with this vision to transform our economy in such a way, in order to benefit foreign corporate interest, without the endorsement of those special interests. It is apparent that the OBA has given its stamp of approval on this proposal in the belief and hope that the benefits that may accrue to us will reach all the way down to the bottom of the ladder so that everyone benefits this time.

We will have more to say on the new airport facility agreement going forward and hope you will allow two concerned Bermudian’s the opportunity to share our independent and unbiased thoughts to the wider community.

Sincerely,

David J Tavares and Erwin P Adderley