Cannonier lists priorities as party leader

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 14: New OBA leader Craig Cannonier has issued a hit list of priorities for his party if they win the next General Election.

Senator Cannonier said the overall thrust of the new party would be to put Bermuda first in decision-making and get the country working again.

But he added that the economy, crime, education and public sector reform would all be targeted if the OBA ever takes over as Government.

He said: “There is a punch list of upfront initiatives that I believe will set the tone for an OBA Government that is clearly committed to making this country work better for Bermudians.”

Sen. Cannonier said that an OBA Government — as already promised — would cut pay for Ministers.

He added: “It’s essential to lead by example, particularly during tough times. We need to show as clear as a bell that we are all of us in this together. We will not ask people to sacrifice without asking the same of ourselves.”

Sen. Cannonier said tackling gang violence and gun offences was another priority for the party — and a Bermuda version of the successful US Operation Ceasefire was a vital tool.

He added: “Our first priority is to stop the shooting, stop the killings. It’s why we will bring Operation Ceasefire here. This is an approach to violent gang crime that has worked well in US inner cities. It’s not a cure-all, but it is a vital first step that we feel Bermuda needs to take.”

Sen. Cannonier, who is the shadow Economy, Trade and Industry Minister, said that Bermuda needed to get the economy back on track.

He added: “Within our first term, we’ll reduce the national debt to sustainable levels, produce a balanced budget and foster conditions that will grow businesses and jobs.

“In the immediate term, we can take steps to help small businesses — we know they’re suffering.

“This includes paying vendors in 30 days – the current Government is a notoriously slow payer — and fast track planning applications to get job-producing projects off the ground and direct 20 per cent of government spending on goods and services to small businesses.”

Education reform

Sen. Cannonier said that reform of the education system had been “stalled” for four years and needed a new direction as fast as possible.

He added: “This is an unforgivable state of affairs. Effective leadership is the first priority and our education team, headed by Dr Grant Gibbons and Toni Spring, will provide it.

“One priority is the implementation of a technical vocational curriculum beginning at the Middle School level. This will increase opportunities for our young people.”

Sen. Cannonier said the OBA would also revamp the island’s political institutions to make them more accountable.

He added: “We believe our system works best when decisions are subject to scrutiny. We will strengthen Parliamentary committees – give them real power to investigate and call witnesses.

“We will grow political cooperation through the bipartisan potential of the committee system. We want to make better use of our MPs and Senators by putting them together to work on solutions for Bermuda.

“We want to set a new tone in the politics of Bermuda and this is one avenue we can take to achieve that.”