“If the people cannot trust their government to do the job for which it exists — to protect them and to promote their common welfare — all else is lost.”

— United States President Barack Obama

Since the recent BTUC industrial action, I have been doing a lot of soul-searching. In my quiet moments I have been asking myself this question: “Why were so many of my fellow Bermudians compelled to gather in such large numbers to express their displeasure against our current Government, a Government of which I am a sitting member of parliament?” What I have learned over the years is that it is necessary, every so often, to take a long hard look at the man in the mirror. This has been such a time for me.

After meditating on this question and seeking the input and opinion of a few of my peers whose opinions I value and cherish, it became apparent that there was a common theme I was hearing. That theme was trust, or more precisely, the lack of trust in our One Bermuda Alliance Government being expressed by many of those who took to the streets two weeks ago.

Over the past few months, a few well-known critics of our government have spoken about a “deficit of trust” between some segments of the public and government. It is not that I did not hear them, however, last week’s marches compelled me to truly examine the depth and extent of that “trust deficit”.

What I do know is this: trust is the most essential ingredient in effective communication. It’s the foundational principle that holds all relationships together. Without trust, there can be no relationship. Without trust, an aggrieved person will not believe one word coming from the mouth of the individual or group they feel aggrieved by. Our Government, a Government I believe in, a Government in which I and many other Bermudians do trust, must tackle this deficit of trust that is pervasive amongst segments of our society if we are to be truly successful.

When I reflect on my own political journey, I remember a time pre-1998 when I did not trust the United Bermuda Party government. I did not believe a word they had to say and no one could convince me otherwise. I did not trust them, period!

However, at the time I did have a personal relationship with a sitting UBP Parliamentarian who had been a family friend going back many years. In the 1970s this gentleman assisted me in obtaining my first job in a then fledgling International Business sector. Although he was a member of the then UBP Government, and I was aligned with the PLP, I respected, trusted and admired him as a person. We would have respectful exchanges when expressing our differing political views. I trusted him. Over time, my political view and affiliation evolved and he and I now sit together on the Government benches.

I say all that to make this point: as Government, we are committed to improving the lives of our fellow Bermudians, all of them, regardless of class, creed, ethnicity, sex or political affiliation. I have friends and family on both sides of the political spectrum and I love them dearly. Why would I conspire against my own flesh and blood? It makes no sense. I do, however, take ownership that some of the decisions we have made collectively have given some people reason to distrust us. As Government we must do a better job of communicating our thinking and our plans to the public. We must work harder to bridge the differences with those who disagree with Government policies.

However, let me be clear: Bermuda is facing a financial and economic crisis the likes of which has never before touched these shores. Everyone in the House of Assembly and the Senate — Ministers, backbenchers and, yes, members of the Opposition, are fighting hard on behalf of all Bermudians. Our differences lie in the understanding of the crisis and the remedies.

Has our Government got it right 100 per cent of the time? No, but after two years of work in many areas our economy is improving and no longer sliding into the abyss.

The challenge today is that the improving conditions have not yet made a significant difference in the lives of Bermudians who have been struggling. Too many remain unemployed or underemployed, and much remains to be done to restore the jobs and opportunities they need to provide for their loved ones and pursue their personal goals. It’s a big challenge that was underscored last year by the Finance Minister when he said: “The status quo is the enemy.”

I am confident we are on the right track to making things better for people. I know my colleagues will continue working hard to revive the economy and create opportunities. It’s about job creation, fair access and financial security. It’s about preserving a way of life that benefits all Bermudians. These are trustworthy goals, and it is up to us to make them real for the people of Bermuda.

• Sylvan Richards is the OBA MP for Hamilton South and is also Junior Minister of Home Affairs