The criticism by Jamahl Simmons of the Bermuda Tourism Authority after the Riddell’s Bay liquidation announcement last week is another example of the Opposition using any excuse to cast doubt about Bermuda today.

It contains a lot of what people dislike about politics: undeserved criticism, negativity and a whole lot of amnesia.

Riddell’s Bay Golf and Country Club, a private sector operation, has had financial struggles for years, yet Mr Simmons connects its closure to the performance of the Bermuda Tourism Authority, which was formed just 14 months ago.

It was a cheap attempt to score a political point against the BTA and the Government. He could have easily connected the financial struggles at Riddell’s Bay with the exodus of Bermuda residents under Progressive Labour Party governments, but that would not have served his purpose.

No one is pleased that the oldest golf club in Bermuda is closing its doors. People will lose jobs and the Department of Workforce Development will have to step forward straightaway to do what it can to help them find employment elsewhere.

But Mr Simmons’s effort to cast a cloud over Bermuda tourism ignores everything positive that is happening — new hotel developments taking shape at Pink Beach, Ariel Sands, Morgan’s Point and St George’s; America’s Cup and the massive media exposure it will generate; and the BTA’s good work to revive the Bermuda brand.

These projects represent the rebuilding of Bermuda tourism undertaken by the Government and led by former tourism minister Shawn Crockwell. They will create jobs, and career and business opportunities for Bermudians. They reflect confidence in the island, confidence in its future and the promise that things will get better.

I accept Bermudians being sceptical about promised developments, especially for East Enders who have seen the promise of a new hotel disappear too many times to remember. I accept it because it also serves to keep pressure on the Government to make it all happen.

But we don’t have to give into pessimism and negativity, as Mr Simmons and his colleagues want us to.

These are promising times and I am an optimist. We still have a lot of work before us. Progress takes time, but it is happening. Bermuda tourism is moving in the right direction.

•Nandi Outerbridge is the government MP for St George’s West (Constituency 2) and the Junior Minister of Community, Culture and Sport