The One Bermuda Alliance changes its political tune to suit itself, according to Government Senator Jonathan Smith.

Sen Smith pointed to the OBA’s accusation that Government uses the global recession as a scapegoat as a prime example of that fact.

“But in 2009, in the Budget reply by the then-United Bermuda Party, there are 40 references to the global economic crisis from the same Shadow Minister,” he said in the Upper Chamber.

“Fast forward three years and it’s a completely different narrative.”

Sen Smith also called on voters to “ask the tough questions” of the Opposition.

“What percentage of Government revenue would they direct to national security? What’s their housing plan? What’s your idea of sustainable debt? What programmes would you cut?”

In his reply, Opposition Senate Leader Michael Dunkley repeatedly accused Government of mismanaging the public purse.

In terms of agreements in ideas between the two sides, Sen Dunkley said: “Most good things and right things in life are not original ideas.”

He accused Government of falling back on the position of “saying we’re wrong to criticise”.

“This is a Government that has forgotten its first duty to the people of this country, which is to maintain a strong economy, to create conditions that provide jobs and opportunity and to protect the safety and security of all.”

He said there were “compelling reasons to be pessimistic” about the Island’s future.

“The Government ignored the threat of recession, despite the warnings,” Sen Dunkley said.

“When it came, the Government was not prepared and Bermuda is suffering the consequences.

“Where governments are expected to step in with –public projects during a downturn, the Government had already played its hand by massive public spending in the years when the –economy was already –overheated.”