Vexed Bermoothes

Polls show that the Bermudian public is strongly against the attempted takeover by the central Bermuda Government of the currently independent municipal corporations.

Whether this is a statement of support for the Corporations, or a vote of no confidence in the PLP Government, is debatable.

But the takeover is a fixation of the Premier, and he appears … as usual … to have bent the PLP caucus to his will.

Based on news reports of the draft law, the PLP’s approach (for now they own it) to taking over the corporations is worrying and part of a pattern.

The rumours have been rife for years that Tourism’s steadfast failure to procure cruise ships for Hamilton and St George was really an attempt to starve those towns of revenue, forcing it all to Government-controlled Dockyard.

And also the Government takeover of Par La Ville raises eyebrows.  You may remember that City Hall has lead the way in lining up an urban hotel developer – yet was cut out in a press conference held by the Premier and the developer last year.  Hmm.  This takeover will deprive the City of even more revenue for which it has worked hard.  And, given the array of questionable hotel deals in which Government has been involved in recent years, it will fuel the stink and rumour about dirty dealings in that sector.

The PLP plan – rather than introduce the reform that they say is needed – instead aims to starve the Corporation of Hamilton of revenue by depriving it of tax revenues, while taxing it.  The PLP knows that the public does not and will not support a law to take over the City … so it appears they are taking the sneak attack approach to crush it financially.

This is not reform – reform is not the focus of the draft law.  Money is the focus.  Surprised, anyone?

In my opinion the Premier’s approach goes to the heart of the matter, that this is really about power and money, not reform.  This bill is destructive and will put jobs and services at risk in a time when Bermuda is already under significant social and economic pressure.  The rancour and sneaky tactics also cause deep distress amongst observers of Bermuda – including both our residents and our international business customers – about exactly what is going on here.

If adopted, I predict the current draft law will be a disaster for the municipalities and for Bermuda.  Stick a fork in it.  Ball’s in your court PLP backbenchers…