In the most recent round of economic articles and speeches from the UBP and PLP what is missing are solutions to truly empower Bermuda's people.

The Bermuda Democratic Alliance is well aware of the concerns and issues facing our country. We have formed an economic advisory committee which has been working diligently to present new, fresh and dynamic ideas to pull Bermuda back from the abyss and truly empower all Bermudians – but concentrating hardest on providing opportunity for the working class electorate that is primarily black which expected much from the PLP but has in reality been blatantly neglected. This neglect, as my colleague Sylvan Richards Jr pointed out in yesterday's Bermuda Sun, is "devastating in real life." For too long the political elite in this country has talked the talk but not walked the walk. That political elite now tries to change their tune from one of trumpeting supposed economic success over the last six years to one of distancing themselves from their own failings.

Before you simply say "more opposition scaremongering" and stop reading, remember that MP Terry Lister one of the candidates for leadership of the PLP said "there are some dark clouds ... the Bermuda economy is troubled. We have seen some companies leave our shores and others reduce staffing. These moves hurt the Bermudian people, the Bermuda economy, and the national psyche." He made some proposals – here is a summary of his "plan" for saving Bermuda.

1. Capital spending will be cut to reduce the country's debt burden.

2. Each [capital] project will be reviewed to determine the necessity of moving the project forward now.

3. Authorise a tax review to determine how the amount necessary to operate the Government can be collected in a manner that is fair to all.

4. Programme reviews to determine the effectiveness of Government's spending.

5. Ensure that programmes established years ago still effectively address needs in our society.

6. Encourage and support the work of both the Government internal audit team and the Auditor General.

Forgive my cynicism, but surely all of the above should have already been done over the past 12 years? What is in his plan to actually empower Bermudians and the working class of this country which is primarily black? The BDA rolled out an economic platform in May and made various proposals, some of which are remarkably similar to those of MP Lister's from August (see our website www.thealliance.bm) – perhaps he liked what he read? The BDA's plans present real change and opportunities for economic empowerment: We would:

1. Increase the transparency and effectiveness of the Government tendering system.

2. Increase access to Government projects for small businesses.

3. Ensure that all Departments, Ministries and Quangos use the same procurement system and operate under the same spending procedures.

4. Consider reverting to a duty system that defers duty collection until goods are sold.

5. Establish a 'Low Income' Payroll Tax bracket for businesses with employees making $50,000 annual salary or less, with a reduced percentage tax on both the employee and employer.

6. Review the potential for Worker Cooperatives (for example giving Works and Engineering workers a piece of the pie by lease to buy vehicle programmes and ring-fenced access to Government contracts). Workers would be trained in running their own business and given the support over a five-year period to ensure success.

7. Promote new industries in an effort to diversify the economy, employment, and Government revenue streams.

We are also looking urgently at ways in which to increase the training of Bermudians and give employers extra incentives for employing Bermudians through tax incentives and rewards in terms of tendering. All such plans will redistribute wealth and bring about true economic empowerment. Simply tightening the Government's belt and asking Bermudians to toughen up per MP Bob Richards is not enough. We need to achieve prudent long-term Government spending, explore new and innovative ways to raise Government income and review the current tax policy to give relief to lower income people.

Whilst the BDA plans for your future and Bermuda's future and plans for real change, the political elite will spin their lack of progress and our words to try and fool you. They have already tried to label the BDA as inexperienced and new BP and a plethora of other nonsense. Don't be fooled by this claptrap. Do you want real change and a Better Way or just words and mismanagement? Don't squander the opportunity before you. A vote for BDA is a vote for Bermuda. It is the logical choice for real change.

By Michael M. Fahy is Chairman and BDA spokesperson for finance.