The Premier's ten big ideas for Bermuda's economic recovery

WEDNESDAY, OCT. 24: Last week, on the BIG Night, Premier Paula Cox outlined ten BIG ideas for economic growth and recovery.

She made it clear that no matter how hard the OBA tries to wiggle — that this election is going to be about the future and what kind of Bermuda we want to live in.

The choice in this election, as outlined by the Premier, is fundamentally a choice between standing strong with middle class and working class Bermudians and building an economy favouring the richest among us.

It’s the OBA that has called for austerity policies that will mean deep and radical cuts to education, police, jobs and so much more. It’s the OBA that says that we need to enrich the already wealthy so that the drips of their wealth can trickle down and quench the thirst of the masses.

The PLP and Paula Cox prefers a different approach — one that grows our economy from the middle class out. Our approach is one that stands strong for middle and working class Bermudians during difficult economic times.

The approach outlined in the Ten Point Plan for Growth and Recovery includes attracting and growing international business and our tourism sector while also ensuring that Bermudians and Bermuda companies are preferred and have access to jobs and opportunities.

To grow international business, the Premier  announced that we would attract new and varied investors from other parts of the world, including the Middle East. She said that we will develop incentives to bring Hedge Fund business to Bermuda to further strengthen our business environment.

Anti-Gang Council

She noted we will focus on a “Bermudian first” hiring system for government projects. And, she said that we will establish an Anti-Gang Council to focus on developing additional programmes like MIRRORS that put our young people on the right path and create opportunities.

In education, the Premier announced a new focus on teaching technology literacy so that our students can be ready to access the jobs of the 21st century. She said that Bermuda will expand household recycling.

On the debt, she said we will focus on the revenue side. By growing our economy through investment by both government and the private sector we will have more revenue to cover our expenses and bring down the debt.  She also pledged that as a caring government, the PLP will expand the number of seniors’ homes and work with the Salvation Army to build a homeless shelter.

And, finally, she noted that Bermuda will engage in a major job creating infrastructure project by reinventing the Hamilton Waterfront.

The Premier outlined a bold and positive vision for our future. She made it clear that we are the party with the ideas and the vision to take Bermuda to the next level.

This election is about the future and offers a clear choice between a party that stands strong for Bermudians in difficult times for the global economy and a party that calls for austerity — rapid and radical cuts to the jobs, benefits and programmes you rely on.

Where do you stand?

• Stephen Todd is the PLP candidate in Constituency 30 Southampton East Central.