Accusing the governing party of a litany of failed promises, the Progressive Labour Party has promised to usher in a more participatory democracy with rigorous governmental oversight and campaign finance reform.

“People may ask why the PLP would invite additional scrutiny of their government after the next election, as it is bound to cause embarrassment,” Opposition leader David Burt said at a press conference yesterday.

“The reason is simple — because better scrutiny and better oversight will lead to better results and outcomes for the people of Bermuda.”

Mr Burt said the Opposition intended to expand on its goals next week, at a town hall meeting to be held at 6.30pm on Tuesday at the Leopards Club.

Pointing to the party’s legacy of enacting good governance legislation during the PLP’s time in government, Mr Burt outlined a raft of initiatives, including:

• Petitions obtaining a critical number of signatures would be brought before the legislature or given a referendum;

• An independent commission on debates would designate crucial issues for discussion by public forum;

• Action would be taken on the Sage Commission’s recommendations for permanent oversight committees;

• A permanent staff member would be put in place for the Public Accounts Committee;

• Anti-corruption legislation would be enacted, and criminal penalties would be put in place for violations of financial instructions;

• Campaign finance reform would be introduced for “greater openness and transparency surrounding financial contributions to political parties and the expenditures of political parties”.

Mr Burt was joined by Walton Brown, the Shadow Minister of Home Affairs, who said the Opposition would begin by establishing an electoral commission, a key recommendation of the Parliamentary Elections Committee, followed by implementing election spending limits.

“Without limits, expenditures could spiral out of control and make election results more about how much money you spend than how the people’s condition will improve,” Mr Brown said.

A PLP government would require public disclosure of large donors, he added, and put together “relevant campaign regulations”.

“This issue is intimately connected with spending limits,” Mr Brown said.

“In the absence of such limits, we will remain in the murky area of simply buying political influence as was raised in the Jetgate spectacle. To date there has been no full and proper investigation regarding the $350,000 donation that the One Bermuda Alliance repeatedly denied any knowledge of. Only after the donor himself publicly confirmed the contribution did the OBA admit to the use of those funds in their 2012 election ground campaign. What followed was the resignation of [Craig] Cannonier as Premier but we know little more.”

Michael Dunkley responded last night by saying he “fully” supported fair and transparent elections in Bermuda.

“I will review the statements made by the Opposition,” the Premier said. “I am willing to meet with members of the Opposition at any time to discuss improving the electoral process in Bermuda. Any meetings should, of course, involve the Parliamentary Registrar.”

Mr Dunkley also responded sharply to the PLP statements — particularly where Mr Burt chastised the OBA for not being “serious” on good governance and falling short on its 2012 election promises.

Mr Dunkley said the Opposition had failed to account for “irresponsible, uncontrolled spending that dropped Bermuda into a financial hole that has taken years of responsible management by this Government to fix”.

The Premier also hit back at Mr Burt’s contention that the OBA had ignored the Sage commission’s call for three oversight committees.

“Government actions to restore control over Government spending are following Sage Commission suggestions. We are deeply appreciative for the hard work of the commissioners because they have helped to put Bermuda on a hopeful path.

“It is quite interesting that the Opposition leader appears to be supporting Sage when he and his colleagues were extremely critical of the Commission, particularly when the Government was setting it up.

“Sage Commission recommendations have been and are continuing to be implemented in order to extend and entrench performance accountability throughout the Civil Service.”

In a PLP release late on Thursday night, Mr Burt said: “Unfortunately for the Bermuda voter, Premier Dunkley is misleading them (the public) yet again. No one said that the OBA “rejected Sage”, but it is a fact that the OBA have rejected and refuse to implement a key recommendation of the Sage commission to increase the oversight of public spending. “The PLP has been consistent in supporting this recommendation and has been consistent in advocating for more oversight powers for Bermuda’s Parliament. I would hope that going forward the Premier can resist the urges of his consultants and tone down the rhetoric so we can, as he said, “simply address the facts”.

“As we approach an election the voters deserve reasoned debate on the issues from their leaders. On this recommendation from the Sage commission there is a different vision for the future; the PLP believes that our Parliament’s oversight powers should be enhanced and the OBA does not agree. It is a clear difference between the parties and it will be up to the voters to decide which is best for the Bermuda.”

•To read the PLP statements in full, click on the documents under “Related Media”