Everyone knows the history of the United Bermuda Party and its ideological and political descendant, the One Bermuda Alliance. It is a history of using economic terrorism via blackballing, pulling mortgages and altering legislation to punish those who stood against the oligarchy and fought for freedom, justice and equality for black Bermudians.

The irony is that after performing these despicable acts, the UBP/OBA would mock the very victims of their economic terrorism as being unable to hold a job or run a business.

In the context of this historical pattern of behaviour, one can truly understand why the OBA deliberately and wilfully ignored the advice of technical officers within the Ministry of Health in an effort economically to destroy yet another person who stood against the oligarchy and fought for freedom, justice and equality for black Bermudians — former Progressive Labour Party leader and premier Ewart Brown.

An injustice was done by the OBA’s decision to go against the advice of paid professionals within the Civil Service. It was a disservice not only to Dr Brown, but to the taxpayers of Bermuda. This deplorable act also exposed the Government, and by extension the taxpayer, to legal action that would have depleted any savings made by making this reckless, irresponsible and politically motivated decision.

The decision to make right what the OBA made wrong was not an easy one for the PLP. We knew that the OBA and its surrogates would paint this as a “friends and family” deal and would attack our character and our integrity, as they have done so many times over the years. Whether it was our former leader or not, what the OBA did was wrong.

These economic injustices have happened to many in our community over the decades of UBP/OBA rule, and sometimes tough decisions will be required to right these wrongs. Not everyone will like it or appreciate it, but as the Government we must correct wrongs that have unfairly penalised many.

One year ago, Bermudians overwhelmingly rejected the OBA’s anti-Bermudian, economic terrorism model. And just a few months ago, given the opportunity to maintain the status quo, the people chose again to reject the OBA at the polls in Warwick North East.

Make no mistake, this was a tough decision that many, including Dr Brown, did not feel went far enough. Yet, as a government committed to correcting injustice, we could not and would not let this OBA decision stand.

There may be even more tough decisions as we intend to take on the forces that continue to escalate our cost of living and as we continue to transform Bermuda into a place that truly works for Bermudians.

• Scott Simmons is a government backbencher and the MP for Southampton West (Constituency 32)