Premier Ewart Brown’s cruise ship gaming bill lost in the House of Assembly this morning after the Premier tried to push it through without his backbench critics knowing.

The bill was defeated by 18 votes to 11, with seven Progressive Labour Party MPs including the Whip voting against it and a further four PLP MPs absent.

Yesterday, Government Whip Lovitta Foggo, under advice from the Premier, had told the United Bermuda Party, backbenchers and the media the bill would be carried over to the next Parliamentary session which begins in November.

However Dr. Brown told The Royal Gazette a “strategic decision” was made at the last minute this morning to try to push the bill through.

Most of his supporters were in the room at the time — but they were quickly joined by opponents from both sides of the House before the vote took place.

Ms Foggo joined fellow PLP MPs Ashfield DeVent, Dennis Lister, Patrice Minors, Wayne Perinchief, Alex Scott and Dame Jennifer Smith in voting against the bill at the committee stage.

The Premier said afterwards he had no specific plans to attempt to resurrect it at this stage.

In a statement Dr. Brown said: “I invited the vote on the Bill being reported to the House today. This matter has been on the Order Paper for some time and there was nothing to be gained from the uncertainty of holding it over.

“Cruise lines and tourism partners interested in this Bill needed to know where Bermuda stands on the issue. We owe it to them to say yes or no and to be clear.

“Today’s vote was clear and the uncertainty is removed. Those cruise lines and tourism partners now know where things stand and can plan accordingly.”

For the full story and reaction, see tomorrow’s Royal Gazette.

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