Opposition calls for absentee voting, a referendum on CARICOM, and corporate tax revenue to pay down debt, create local jobs and improve infrastructure

Statement by Douglas De Couto, Shadow Finance Minister and OBA MP for Constituency 25, Warwick North East:

It’s a good time to reflect on the past year and look forward to 2026. I don’t have space here to recap the whole year, but even just the last few weeks have given us plenty of food for thought.

One of the One Bermuda Alliance’s priorities is to make a Bermuda that works for future generations, and act today to make that happen. We compare that to the PLP Government’s numerous promises, plans, and strategies, that don’t produce results.

Here are three things we wish for our current and future generations.

First, to get it out of the way, both parties pledged to implement absentee voting at February’s election. But only the OBA advanced that by tabling legislation. Meanwhile, the Government purposely left absentee voting out of its original budget and refused to collaborate, only promising it will happen next year. Don’t be fooled by technical excuses. If the Government wanted absentee voting to happen, it could have worked with the OBA to pass a law this year.

Second, we wish for a Government that is transparent and truly consultative on important topics, rather than hiding information and telling people what they’ve done after the fact. Caricom is a big example. Bermudians have a range of feelings about joining Caricom as a full member. But all Bermudians agree that we need more information about what joining Caricom means, why it might be good for us, and what the drawbacks might be.

When repeatedly asked in Parliament by the OBA for more information, the Premier and the Government refused to answer, hiding behind procedural excuses. And because Bermudians have mixed feelings, the OBA believes a referendum is the best way forward. However, the Premier has now stated there will be no referendum. If support for Caricom is strong, wouldn’t having a referendum be an easy decision? And if support is not strong, doesn’t that mean Government should not move ahead with Caricom?

Third, and perhaps most importantly, the OBA wishes for a local economy that works for Bermudians, and a Government that’s not trapped under massive debt. We want a growing local economy, so young Bermudians can see a future here, and one that supports good jobs for Bermudians that don’t work in International Business.

Government continues to brag about positive economic statistics that are driven by IB’s successes. Meanwhile, the retail and wholesale sector has shrunk year on year. Restaurants have had their lowest year of sales since 2021. The most recent Retail Sales Index is lower than last year. And inflation has increased from 1.7% to 2%, or +18%. That’s why many Bermudians still struggle to match their reality to Government’s spin.

The One Bermuda Alliance would work to get real organic investment in the local economy that creates energy and jobs, not just selling real estate to people from overseas.

Finally, with the Corporate Income Tax (CIT) now in force, the OBA would use that money to shore up Bermuda’s financial future by paying down debt, investing in critical infrastructure, and spending on critical social support. Meanwhile, government has not said much about their long-term plans for the CIT money, other than the Premier’s recent statement that they will not pay down debt early.

That’s the OBA’s wish list – and we are committed to making it a reality.