Dear Sir,

Over the past ten years, four generations of Lambert women have emigrated from Bermuda to reside in Britain. The earliest documented records of the Lambert family living in Bermuda date back to the early 1800s.

As a ninth-generation descendant, I find myself dictating and authoring this letter from Ontario, Canada. I was declared legally blind ten years ago. I emigrated here a year ago, after 77 years of living in Bermuda.

Collectively, my family members are among the reported 6,000 Bermudians who have emigrated to other countries for affordability, employment, education and quality of healthcare services in recent years.

David Burt was elected the youngest Progressive Labour Party leader and premier in 2017 to much fanfare. Like many other Bermudians at the time, I was impressed by his youth and eloquent communication skills, but reluctant about his unproven leadership skills in managing a billion-dollar economy and approximately 5,000 employees.

Let’s fast forward: Bermuda is entering the eighth year of Burt’s “Project 2017” economic experiment. In 2025, the gaping disparity in Bermuda between the haves and the have-nots is an injustice.

Mr Burt’s leadership and administration can be best summarised by broken promises and priorities, failed strategies, poorly executed initiatives and merry-go-round Cabinet appointments. To clean this up for the next premier would be like running behind an elephant with a giant dustbin.

Let me share my reality, Mr Burt:

• Very few Bermudians are better off since 2017. Bermuda’s middle and working class are living in poverty

• Food, housing, healthcare and electricity costs have skyrocketed, resulting in social and financial instability for many households

• In 2020, the electorate provided your party an overwhelming mandate, electing 30 PLP MPs. The elevation of “favourite” politicians has resulted in them temporarily becoming disabled — a bunch of mutes — which is disrespectful to those of us who are permanently disabled

• The PLP government appears to have hit the lottery again with the new corporate income tax. Please do not provide Bermudians more examples of the PLP government leadership’s financial impotence and weak stewardship in managing finances

• Please don’t give Bermuda another “catfish budget” this year. We know it’s pre-election budget that will be filled with promises of how it will help so many Bermudians. This is the eighth attempt under your administration

• Please share a viable economic growth plan. The PLP government has become a laughingstock owing to administrative bloat, waste, general inefficiency and cronyism

• Can you share with Bermuda the cost of Caricom membership and economic benefits?

Many Bermudians have grown tired of the Government’s poor performance in the Public Service. The voters who elected you must hold your party accountable.

CLIFTON LAMBERT

Ontario, Canada

Warrant Officer W2/Sergeant Major (Ret)

Royal Bermuda Regiment