OBA: 2012 Budget is a 'nice story'

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 24: The One Bermuda Alliance has called the 2012 Budget a “nice story”.

Shadow Finance Minister Bob Richards spoke to the media following Premier Paula Cox’s presentation of Government’s Budget Statement this morning.

He said: “It’s a nice story, but it’s not a plan.

“We’re in trouble here in this country.

“We need to know how to put our people have to work.

“We need to know how we’re going to get rid of this debt.”

He continued: “We need to know how we’re going to be able to afford health care.

“None of those questions have been addressed.

‘That’s the first reaction.

“There’s also a big credibility gap in the numbers.

“They have not produced numbers anywhere near the mark.

“We don’t have any real faith that these numbers represent reality.”

OBA Leader Craig Cannonier added: “ I think what stands out mostly is Bermuda needs to ask the questions.

“Is this going to put food on the table, is it going to create new jobs, educate out kids better?

“If you just read through the budget, it may just seem like it’s a nice story but at the end of the day, the reality of what Bermudians are feeling and living is a stark difference.”

He continued: “Are the answers of the questions for every day Bermudians?

“We will continue to go through the budget in detail.