Lovitta Foggo has pledged that the Progressive Labour Party will introduce permanent oversight committees to oversee parliament if elected, accusing the One Bermuda Alliance of “hypocrisy”.

In a statement Ms Foggo, the PLP spokesperson for government reform, said Michael Dunkley, the Premier, had failed to act on promises to improve good governance.

Ms Foggo took aim at government MPs Bob Richards and Jeff Sousa, who had come under fire for their decision not to declare interests before the 2012 General Election.

“As much as Premier Dunkley wants to rewrite history in the election season, he can’t,” she said.

“To the people of Bermuda, actions speak louder than words, and the reality is that the Premier has had nearly five years to address the Register of Interests and campaign finance reform and all the other promises made by the OBA in 2012 that they failed to keep.

“Only now, on the eve of a no-confidence vote and eve of an election, does the Premier make vague overtures to do something — but can’t say what. It has long been clear to the people that he will never bring real and meaningful campaign finance reform forward.”

Noting allegations made during “Jetgate” regarding a $350,000 of donations made by American developer Nathan Landow and others to an account set up by the Bermuda Political Action Club, an OBA-lined grass roots organisation, Ms Foggo said that campaign finance reform is a necessity.

“Opposition leader David Burt and the PLP are on record supporting campaign finance reform,” she said. “The next PLP government will introduce legislation to regulate political campaign finances to ensure a level playing field and reduce the risk of corruption at a political level.

“We believe that the best policy ideas should win — not the political party with the biggest war chest. We see the introduction of campaign finance laws as a long overdue safeguard for our democracy.

“We will introduce Integrity in Public Office legislation to modernise our laws surrounding the buying of votes, voter fraud, conflicts of interest and other aspects of our electoral and political process subject to abuse by those who would seek to use wealth, influence or intimidation to obtain political or economic power.

“The PLP will also ensure that changes are made to the Register of Interests to facilitate more disclosure of the financial interests of MPs and senators.

“On good governance, the PLP will go even further. We will implement that Sage Commission recommendation, rejected by the OBA, to establish three permanent oversight committees to oversee the work of Parliament.

“Democracy is meant to represent the people, and the people’s representatives should have the ability to provide the oversight that leads to better outcomes.”

Ms Foggo said the PLP is committed to bringing transparency to the issue of political party financing, adding: “The people of Bermuda deserve to know that their elected leaders are working for them, not working to benefit themselves at the people’s expense.”

Responding, Senator Lynne Woolridge, One Bermuda Alliance chair, said that the party had made ensuring good governance a “guiding principle”.

“Where the PLP talks about good governance, the OBA has acted — making Pati a reality, getting audit approvals in all its financial statements and transparency measures for drug testing to online reporting of ministers’ travel expenses,” she said.

“Anyone considering today’s pre-election statement on campaign finance reform should consider a few information points that come to mind: The PLP Government’s last five financial statements could not be endorsed by the Auditor-General, its leadership engaged in pay-to-play, and its administration of government contracts remains the subject of police investigation.”

The PLP, Ms Woolridge said, had never explained or apologised for its “ethical lapses” or its “financial dealings” while in power.

”In the meantime, the OBA reversed the PLP recession and got the island on a path of recovery that is expanding opportunity and paycheques in hotel developments, returning cruise ships, growing visitor numbers, (bringing the) America’s Cup — making a real difference in the lives of Bermudians.”