December 6, 2012Dear Sir,The Progressive Labour Party is bent on blaming others for the current state of the economy, even though they admit that there have been mistakes and corruption in the past including fiscal mismanagement with increased debt, budget overruns, policies on term limits, immigration and housing, all of which have contributed to driving international business away from the Island. First, according to the PLP, our economic difficulties were due entirely to the problems with the US economy and now Vince Ingham, at a political rally this week, lays the blame for “the Islands economic problems on the business community”.If I did not know Mr Ingham, I would say he must have no understanding about business but as I do know him, I am disappointed to see that he is talking out of both sides of his mouth for political gain. It seems that he does not know that very few businesses make political donations and those that do usually make equal donations to both parties so there is no pot of money being given by business to “the other side”. At the very least I would expect that he does understand that business is accountable to its shareholders (those people who are willing to invest money in a potentially profitable business in expectation of a return on that investment) and that it is Government that is accountable to the people or electorate. It is therefore the Government that is responsible for developing social programmes, and other sensible and sound policies to encourage growth that will create jobs and income which in turn will enable funding for such social programmes.Vince Ingham’s self serving comment about Bermuda business not having a social conscience is such an insult to the Bermuda business community that it cannot go unanswered. It is comments such as these that encourage the international businesses to move to another jurisdiction of which there are many. It is a shame to see candidates who put their desire to be elected first and have little regard for those companies that contribute so enormously to our island. Bermuda Business contributes millions of dollars in Bermuda and must contribute more money to charity as well as scholarships for our youth than in any other community in the world. I can’t believe any voter in Bermuda, let alone in his district would want to support a candidate who makes arrogant statements like these as they will not only discourage Bermuda business from continuing to support our youth and making these charitable donations but will instead continue the current policy of making the international guest workers feel unwelcome, thereby perpetuating the exodus of these companies and resulting in fewer opportunities for jobs.GREG HAYCOCKPembroke