The OBA responded with its own take on what ‘progress’ the PLP Government has made for women.
The Opposition One Bermuda Alliance cited “empty sloganeering” and said it is dumfounded that the PLP has the audacity to imply that they have made anything fairer for anyone, much less women. The OBA issued a list of factors to underscore the struggles of women, ranging from education, homelessness and financial struggles to the grim reality of having to bury their children because of increasing gun and gang violence.
They posed the questions,” Is it fair that women are burying their children because of increasing guns and gangs? Is it fair that women have to decide between paying for groceries and buying their children a new pair of shoes or their prescription medication? Is it fair that 72-year-old women are going back to work just to make ends meet?”
Female PLP politicians say their Government has made Bermuda fairer for women
Women are more supported and protected under the PLP than the OBA, according to female PLP politicians. They told media today that the PLP Government of the last 7 years has made Bermuda fairer for women.
Crystal Ceasar, Minister for the Cabinet Office, cited BEDC programmes to promote economic empowerment, expanded access to job training, and how the PLP has enabled women to work.
Tinee Furbert, Minister of Youth, Social Development and Seniors, highlighted increases in benefits, and Senator Lindsay Simmons put the focus on what has been done to keep women safe.
When asked for the statistics to show how the PLP policies have positively impacted women, they did not have them at hand.
As shown at the end of the report above and in the charts below, Employment Survey statistics show that the female share of overall jobs has dropped by half a percent over the last decade.
However, Median Gross Annual Income for women has increased by about 4-and-a-half percent.
We have reached out to the police and women’s support groups for a better picture of what impact PLPs policies have had on women’s safety.
The PLP said Bermudians deserve thoughtful & realistic plans to address our challenges—not vague promises, empty slogans and recycled rhetoric in response to today’s OBA election news conference.
The Progressive Labour Party took a swipe at the opposition One Bermuda Alliance following their news conference today claiming the Opposition has resorted to personal attacks and fear-mongering to deflect from their previous time in government. A party spokesperson said under OBA leadership, the country saw cuts to education, slashes to social programs and policies that left Bermudians struggling… including denied pension increases to seniors, high taxes for workers and other austerity measures. On OBA leader Jarion Richardson’s concerns about the danger of voting for the FDM or independents …the PLP said the real danger is putting the OBA back in power. “Bermudians deserve thoughtful & realistic plans to address our challenges—not vague promises, empty slogans and recycled rhetoric,” the PLP said.
A teenager was taken to hospital after an alleged hit and run incident. It happened just after 8am today in the Hermitage Road, Devonshire area. A female car driver came into contact with the 13-year-old male pedestrian after he exited a bus. Police say the driver stopped to check on the teen before driving on. The teen was taken to hospital for checks but was not believed to be seriously hurt. Any witnesses, as well as the driver of the car involved, should call Constable Oba Swan on 211.
Sir Gary Hickinbottom is set to take up his post after Justice Bell has completed his term of office
Governor Rena Lalgie, has announced the appointment of The Rt Hon Sir Gary Hickinbottom as a Justice of Appeal for the Court of Appeal of Bermuda.
Sir Gary, who has had a distinguished legal career spanning over four decades, will assume his role following the completion of Justice Bell’s term of office.
Of the appointment, Governor Lalgie stated, “Sir Gary brings to the Court of Appeal a wealth of valuable knowledge and insight from his 20+ years of experience as a Circuit Judge, High Court Judge, and Court of Appeal Judge both within England and Wales and in Commonwealth jurisdictions, as well as his experience as an arbitrator and assessor.”
Sir Gary is set to serve as an Acting Justice of the Court of Appeal during the March 2025 session.
Opposition hosts its first news conference since last week’s election call, and outlines its vision
Opposition Leader Jarion Richardson has promised real change and long term solutions to Bermuda’s most pressing concerns.
This morning, the OBA held a news conference at its Reid Street headquarters to unveil its election campaign, focused on “correcting the course of the country” after what Mr. Richardson described as 19 years of mismanagement under the PLP government.
Flanked by party candidates, he said this election is hardly straight forward given the risk of the Free Democratic Movement and independent candidates splitting the vote, which he says could solidify another PLP victory.
Mr. Richardon pledged to legislate absentee voting for students and ordinary residents within the first year in power should his party be elected, following heavy criticism about the timing of the February 18th election.
Bermuda can’t depend on miracles nor be over reliant on the Corporate Income Tax revenues, Mr Richardson said.
Mr. Richardson also stating he remains confident that a full slate of candidates will be rolled out on Nomination Day, which is January 31st.
For the full news conference, click the video link above.
The National Hero tackles the PLP head-on in scathing op-ed
(Sir John Swan, Instagram, 2024)
The following letter was sent to Bermuda Broadcasting by Sir John Swan on the 13th of January 2025:
And so it begins – January 13th 2025
So the Premier has now announced the much anticipated election. On February 18th Bermudians will cast their ballots and decide who and what style of Government they want for the next five years.
I am proud to have announced that I will be standing as an independent and am pleased that we are already seeing other individuals rise to the challenge as independent candidates. And I believe many more will be announcing in the coming days. You may ask why I, at my age, have decided to re-enter the world of Bermuda politics and it’s a good question.
I believe that contrary to the spin of remarks made in announcing the election, Bermuda is in a very serious situation. I believe so many of the most important factors of life in Bermuda are simply off track and failing.
We heard no mention of the size of our national debt nor that virtually all of this debt has been incurred by a PLP Government. The published debt is well over $3 Billion, something over $50,000 per resident of Bermuda, but if you add in the other debt Bermuda owes, the total is probably closer to $6 BILLION!
There was no mention of the lack of graduation success of our students in the public education system.
Also, no discussion on the failing public infrastructure – the state of our roads, buildings, bridges, etc
What about the crisis of our medical system, where thousands of Bermudians cannot afford health insurance, where emergency patients cannot get beds in the hospital because of long term, non urgent patients taking the space required.
The fact that so many Bermudians cannot afford to pay for the basics of life in Bermuda and have to continuously decide whether to pay for prescriptions, rent, electricity or food and so much more.
It is very clear that the current political system is failing. Party Politics is failing. Indeed in the press conference where the Premier announced the election, what did those in attendance chant in the end “PLP All the way, all the way PLP”. WHAT ABOUT BERMUDA I ASK? We cant bring the same answer to the same problems and expect a different answer.
I ask Bermudians to ask themselves are they better off than they were, are they confident in the future, do they believe the current system is going to solve the problems and bring Bermuda back on track. I am running because I believe the answer is no. And I believe I cant just hide in the outfield, I have to engage and try to help. We need a new system, a system where all of Bermuda can be involved in finding solutions and working together to make them happen. This is the vision that the Independent movement brings. Its time for real and meaningful change.
Motorists asked to exercise caution around working crews and open trenches
BELCO has resumed its transmission upgrade works in the west end of the island.
A company spokesperson announced today: “Works resumed with the opening of cable joint holes to facilitate the pulling and jointing of underground transmission cables on Middle Road in the Warwick Pond area and will continue, between the hours of 7:00 am and 7:00 pm, daily.”
During this period, traffic will be restricted to a single lane with traffic controls in place. Motorists are advised to drive cautiously or consider using detour routes via South Road or Harbour Road.
BELCO Managing Director Shelly Leman stated, “We are in the final stages of our transmission upgrade project and I appreciate the public’s patience and understanding as these essential works take place. Once completed we will have a modern, more robust grid that will assist in our journey towards a more sustainable energy future.”
The upgrade will continue westward along Middle Road toward Lighthouse Road and Southampton Princess, with crews progressing approximately 800 feet per week. Single-lane closures will move accordingly as work advances.
Bad weather had disrupted service over the weekend
File photo
After cancellations over the weekend due to poor weather, the ferry service resumed full service today. For the complete schedule, visit www.marineandports.bm
Members of the public share their thoughts on the introduction of absentee voting to grant young people and those living overseas the ability to participate in elections while off-island.
With Premier David Burt announcing a General Election slated for February 18th, many have expressed concerns about the level of participation for Bermuda’s young people.
We sought to find out the public’s opinion on the matter on the streets of Hamilton.
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