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The young crave real leadership

David Burt, the Premier, with members of his Cabinet (Photograph by Akil Simmons)

We are 30-plus days in with the new government and too early for any report cards, but signs that a buzz of investment issues have already lined up against their door shows there is no lack of interest in working with the new government, or that confidence is broken.

Yes, getting projects to the doors is only one piece of the equation, while the most significant is what gets through the doors and on the ground, where they can be seen to be of benefit, and that is indeed another matter.

David Burt chose to carry both the Premiership and the Ministry of Finance, but left capacity to be filled in the cabinet ranks and given the big issue is the economy, one could only assume he did so to get a clear glance at the state of affairs without having to look over the shoulders of another as Minister of Finance.

The finance ministry may be a post that he delegates a bit later, to use up the cabinet capacity available to him.

Premier Burt, as a young person, was thrust into politician action fairly early, therefore he has had the opportunity to see the performance of a few predecessors and probably realises the need for the post he holds as Premier, to be one as a leader that directs his ministries.

He can ill afford to allow the ministers to run their own courses, without following a national plan. The “cog in the wheel” excuse for ministerial indiscipline, was thrown out years ago and this Premier, in order to be successful, should anticipate the resignation of any minister who balks or presents obstacles to a broader national plan.

Unfortunately, through no fault of the government, we have seen two murders and an equal number of road deaths, which if nothing else, provides a clear reminder of the serious issues facing the country.

These are in fact leadership issues — the young men are crying out for leadership of example and vision with flesh and heart, not an administrator. While we do not have a presidential-style government, we have parliamentarianism, where the leader is first among equals and does not enjoy the mandate of the populace.

Nevertheless the demand and expectation on the leaders is no less than that of a president and the people will be looking at the Premier to lead the country through all of its issues.

On the other side of the political fence there is no indication that the OBA has found a new purpose and as time evolves the question of whether they will simply provide a loyal opposition, or morph into another political dynamic, remains to be seen. The work begins for them also, they will either wander about in the wilderness, as in 1998, or quickly come to terms and take the appropriate steps that lead to reform.

The huge July 18 electoral mandate came with a huge underlying expectation attached and perhaps is a clear demonstration of the new norm for Bermuda politics. The populace will never be taken for granted, they are alive and thinking.

Personally, I believe there are a number of quality opportunities that could set the stage for a better day. These opportunities may require us to stretch our imagination and need for vision, but they are there.

The leadership just needs to be broad and open enough to seize the momentum.

Bermuda still is an excellent place to invest. The role we play in the world of reinsurance is really an example of the kind of role we can play in the international arena for other industries.

We just need to break our complacency and find them.