The Premier today denied claims that a lack of major new programmes in the Throne Speech meant the Government was running out of imagination and energy.

David Burt was speaking after the One Bermuda Alliance attacked the legislative programme as being long on rhetoric and short on detail.

But Mr Burt insisted the Government was maintaining a strategic emphasis on programmes already announced as well as a limited number of fresh policies.

He said: “In this year’s Throne Speech there are not many grand new policies from the Government but a steady focus on executing the commitments we have made to the people of Bermuda.”

Mr Burt dismissed claims that the Parliamentary blueprint displayed a lack of forward thinking and flair.

He said: “I don’t think that the Government requires any more imagination.

“We have a very large, well thought out recovery plan, which was assessed independently.

“The people of this country don’t need more ideas, what they need is execution.

“And that is where the Government is focused.”

He added: “There are new Bills which will come before the House this year which were outlined inside the Throne Speech.

“But the majority of where our work is focused is the successful execution of our platform of pledges and our economic recovery plan, building on the progress of the pledges that we made last year.”

Mr Burt said that a reference in the Throne Speech to the Bermuda Tourism Authority not generating enough revenue did not mean a major revamp of the organisation would be carried out.

He added: “I don’t think that there is any issue with the way that the BTA is currently structured.

“The BTA like other government departments receives policy direction from the ministry … those things have not changed.

“Any entity must make sure that they are being challenged to deliver when they receive public funds.”

Mr Burt said: “Bermuda’s economic recovery will also be driven by a tourism recovery.

“Local tourism has suffered due to the pandemic. This period of uncertainty presents a new opportunity for change.

“As the minister responsible for tourism I have a duty on behalf of the people of Bermuda to challenge the Bermuda Tourism Authority to do the best they can do.

“The independence they enjoy does not translate into absence of accountability.

“The question then is how we use our strengths to grow the tourism economy and what change must be delivered to make the difference in today’s crowded tourism market place.“