Vexed Bermoothes

Nothing on increasing government accountability or transparency, on reeling in costs in the face of the economic slowdown, or on how Bermuda will respond to external and internal threats to international business and tourism.

Apprenticeship scheme based on internationally recognized technical qualifications and a legislative framework that promotes training.  Sven, meet Johnny.
One-Stop Career Centre for public […]

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Mr. President and Members of the Senate, Mr. Speaker and Members of the Honourable House of Assembly
Since Bermuda’s Legislature was last convened, every country in the world has been made to confront the challenges presented by the state of the global economy. Bermuda has been no exception. Although the economy and its various effects on […]

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From a reader:
If Horton was thrown out for the slow pace of education reform, when do we get Dr. Brown throwing himself out of tourism?
Another reader queries the role of the “Education Reform Implementation Committee” appointed by Dr. Brown and headed by Phillip Butterfield.  Does the Minister have control, or does that sidebar committee?

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Parliament is about to reconvene after their long summer recess (yes, it’s November).
No information has been made public about the parliamentary agenda for the coming months.
Oh, except the backbenchers want a pay increase.
That tells you what the priorities are, doesn’t it?
Ya ya, I know the Throne Speech is coming up.  But that normally ends up […]

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Barack Obama, with his message of change and hope, has won the US election with a thundering mandate.  It is a remarkable day.
Like Bermuda, America wants new faces and a determination to face the issues rather than wallow in past battles and fears.  Put simply, the electorate is tired of the same old shit.
Obama’s “New […]

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Randy Horton has been sacked as Minister of Education. That lends some credence to the rumours that he was engaged in a leadership challenge.
El James will become the 7th (!) Minister of Education in the past 10 years, in an area of Government that is troubled and turbulent, and so terribly important.  I wish him […]

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On November 15, the PLP will “celebrate ten successful years in government” at a big swishy banquet.
I suppose that’s an accurate description if you define success as “being in government” as opposed to “creating success for Bermuda”.
So, have your hopes and dreams of 1998 for “change in governance” come true?  Do you think Bermuda is […]

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The PLP insiders often complain about the swirl of innuendo and distrust directed towards them by a broad cross section of the community.
But it’s little wonder this happens when so often their opaque actions breed a lack of trust.  Example at hand:
The proposed hotel development at Southlands was shoved down the community’s throat with a […]

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Dr. Brown continues his media sweep in the UK, this time looking ill-at-ease on CNBC.  It’s interesting how he continues to be marketed as “Prime Minister”.
When questioned about how Bermuda will respond to attacks from onshore tax and regulatory authorities, the Premier responded:
“I believe that if we have a President Obama, he will be sensitive […]

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The Premier was filling space on late night BBC World radio broadcasts tonight, sounding tired and very “off-message”.
Pondering Bermuda’s economic uncertainties in the face of declining international business and tourism revenues, the announcer Roger Hearing asked the Premier what Bermuda intended to do.  His answer:
“We haven’t been able to come up with another pillar for […]

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