Over the last few parliamentary sessions before the Christmas break, we witnessed a number of very interesting things, one of which was the “debate” on the Corporate Income Tax (CIT) on a motion tabled by my parliamentary colleague, the Shadow Minister of Finance, Douglas De Couto.

I say “debate”, since most of the government Members of Parliament did not participate. The motion for debate was “That the Honourable House do take note of the opportunities, challenges and risks to Bermuda arising from Bermuda’s CIT”, which was broad enough to allow members from both sides of the House to add their own thoughts on CIT.

Since the relevant legislation and various amendments have already been passed in Parliament to create the framework for the CIT collection, there has been scant detail from the Government, particularly from the Premier and Minister of Finance, on how the CIT funds will be managed, spent, and saved. Given that the CIT revenues could be close to $1 billion (yes that is a “b”) in 12 months or less, this is not the way the Government should be conducting itself.

Rather than give undertakings on how monies will be utilised, even in percentage terms, the voters and those corporate entities that are paying CIT have no idea at all whether the funds will be prudently managed or allocated in a fair and efficient manner. Instead of sharing, the Premier’s rather churlish response has been to say “wait until the Budget” which will be presented in mid-February 2026. In other words, wait. This makes little sense. What is worse is that when the OBA has inquired about the plans, it is dismissed with a wave of the hand as if to say “shoo fly”.

Understanding how CIT will work is far from easy. When I said that there were no doubt members of both sides of the House that might find this so, including me, an allegation was made that I was being condescending in suggesting such a thing. That allegation was clearly being used as a subterfuge and a way to stymie debate.

While this is tactical, it does little to help the voter understand the intricacies of CIT and how the revenues will rise and fall dependent on whether there are losses in the reinsurance market. It does little to explain how deferred payments and rebates will work, and it does little to explain the recommendations of the Fiscal Responsibility Panel that published a report, which has never been tabled for debate, on how experts in the field believe CIT should be managed.

Add this unwillingness to engage on CIT to the failure by the Government to enter into any kind of real discussion on Caricom pros and cons. The curious response on this topic is “we are waiting for a draft agreement”. This standard excuse has now been ongoing for well over a year. Meanwhile, those who ask and comment on the lack of transparency are not so subtly labelled as anti-Caribbean. We know what that is code for.

What we have learned after continuous pressing is that the question of Caricom will not be put to a referendum. This announcement has been made before the receipt of a draft agreement, before the publication of a promised Green Paper and before the publication of a White Paper. Unless there is a free vote in Parliament, the Government is basically saying “trust us to do what is best for Bermuda” -- without explanation or sound reasoning presented. The consultation appears to be a post-decision consultation and should be concerning to all Bermudians. In our view a referendum is absolutely required.

Add to this the announcements of modular and container housing. No information was given in Parliament about how the decisions were made on the suitability of the units, what they will look like, and for that matter, why they were purchased before planning permission had been given.

A promised housing plan for 2025 to 2035 has not come to the House of Assembly, so we have no idea how these homes even fit into an overall plan.

Finally, after pressing, the plans were revealed at a town hall event in the West End. Why not disclose all the information to parliament for scrutiny and debate?

Meanwhile, the Bermudiana Resort is still zoned for tourism and is being rented at exorbitant rates to guest workers while Bermudian families wait for a home.

Then you have the whole debacle on voting reform. My colleague Dwayne Robinson had meetings and discussions with numerous persons, including the Parliamentary Registrar. On the eve of the parliamentary debate and after weeks of being on the order paper, the OBA’s tabled Bill to allow for absentee balloting was suddenly deemed a money Bill. Under parliamentary rules, this means the Opposition was prevented from leading a debate on the matter. This sidestepped the need for the PLP to either vote against our Bill or provide amendments. Again, why?

Where am I going with all this? Frankly, the public is getting short-changed. The Government can do better. Legitimate questions are side-stepped, opportunities for debate ignored and if you dare query the failures of the Government, you are labelled in less than subtle ways, from Proud Boy to anti-Caribbean. No wonder it is so difficult to attract people to be MPs!

The public deserves better. Parliament should be the first stop for announcements such as new housing concepts. It should be the first place where discussions are had on Bills, whether they are opposition or government Bills, and it should be the first place where matters of how your money is spent are debated. Matters of potential constitutional importance, such as Caricom, should be openly debated; however, given the potential for fundamental changes to international relations, this should ultimately be decided by referendum.

Parliament should not be a place of simple rubber-stamping by a select and chosen few in Cabinet. Instead of being open to the sunshine of public scrutiny, we seem to be engaged in an emotionally contemptuous game of Snakes and Ladders where you, the voter, are the game pieces played with at will.

So, as we move into the New Year, I wish all of Bermuda the very best and I hope that it will bring a renewed era of answers and transparency to several outstanding matters and that parliament is the first port of call for policy announcements. I suspect my hope is misplaced.

∙ Michael Fahy is the Shadow Minister of Housing, Municipalities and Home Affairs and the MP for Pembroke South West