Log In

Reset Password
BERMUDA | RSS PODCAST

PLP and OBA in heated exchange over early return of Parliament

Opposition leader Marc Bean contends the ruling party’s “minimal legislative agenda” is the sole reason behind three Parliamentary sessions this month before the House reconvenes in November.However an OBA spokesman described Mr Bean’s comments as “counterproductive spin”, saying the Government is working hard to dig Bermuda out of a hole left by the former administration.Premier Craig Cannonier’s recently announced an extended Parliamentary session in an effort to move ahead with promises made in the Throne Speech.Responding to the news, Mr Bean said: “Since becoming Government, the One Bermuda Alliance’s tenure has been known more for deception, blunders and inaction than the ‘urgency of now’.“As we were willing to work with the OBA on this special extended Parliamentary session, the PLP was willing to work through the traditional summer break,” Mr Bean said.“The minimal legislative agenda prepared by the OBA however hindered the ability to work through the pressing issues facing our people.“This failure of leadership by the current government shows an inability to manage the legislative process and that should concern all Bermudians.”He continued: “Despite the pressing need to get our people back to work, the OBA have failed to take action or produce a plan. In fact, the OBA have failed to take action on concrete items such as: the Gaming Referendum, in place and ready to launch the day the OBA took office.”He also cited the formulation of the Infrastructure Development Strategy, “a key component of the PLP’s plan to get construction workers back to work” which was in the process of being completed the day the OBA took office.Another key component in the PLPs plan to get Bermudians back to work cited by Mr Bean was Job Corps.“So we ask again, where was the ‘urgency of now’, for the past nine months?Mr Bean concluded: “We stand willing to work through all future breaks in an effort to listen to the people of Bermuda and to get all relevant parties working for the people of Bermuda.”An OBA spokesman responded that the Government has been working diligently to move Bermuda forward since their election.“The statement by the Leader of the Opposition is typical of the condescending, counterproductive spin by the PLP,” the spokesman said. “They say they are eager to work with the Government while devoting all their time to doing whatever they can to sow distrust, division and confusion in the community. It is an extension of politics before all else.“The OBA Government has been busy digging Bermuda out of a deep hole — a hole dug by the now conveniently amnesia-ridden PLP. The recovery is going to take time, careful planning, discipline and some tough decisions, and we have only just begun.“We will accept constructive criticism from the Opposition, but their slash-and-burn approach to the politics today serves no useful purpose other than to keep alive a highly partisan approach to national issues that we think most Bermudians reject.”