Dear Sir,

Timing is everything. Since the recent General Election, we already have what I would call Exhibit A on the table, proving my theory that voter loyalty is ultimately not attached to good governance and responsible policymaking, but rather is firmly aligned with financial aid and the political message of caring and fairness.

This newspaper has just reported in depth on Zane DeSilva’s financial involvement with the Savvy music studio scandal and, by doing so, has finally removed many layers of public suspicion, which have been swirling around for three years.

There is now firm evidence that a $100,000 payment was made by fraudster Anthony Blakey, of Savvy Entertainment, to the personal bank account of Mr DeSilva, less than a month after the company was given the $800,000 government loan to build a music recording studio, which never came to pass.

Mr DeSilva was subsequently charged with money laundering. We have learnt that the case against Mr DeSilva was dropped because he signed a consent order admitting that the $100,000 was recoverable property — being a portion of the loan proceeds — which is an admission that the money was obtained by unlawful conduct.

Riddle me this: Magistrates’ Court records show that in 2024 two men stole tools from a parked car and were each sentenced to one year behind bars. Both admitted stealing the items, valued at $980. A man who stole three motorbikes was sentenced to more than two years behind bars. Yet, when a government MP “obtains” $100,000 from the public purse and admits he came by it unlawfully and pays it back, he gets rewarded with a promotion.

Introducing Mr DeSilva as our new Minister of Housing and Municipalities. Consequences for some, not others. This message has been received, loud and clear.

Now, can you imagine the uproar if the Progressive Labour Party and the One Bermuda Alliance “roles” were reversed in this saga? An OBA MP receives $100,000 of taxpayer monies unlawfully? There would be marching in the streets!

Here is the hypocrisy of it all: the OBA’s campaign-financing incident in 2012 — we all know as Jetgate — was not against the law and did not involve taxpayer monies, but the furore that surrounded it continues to be thrown around like a grenade by the Premier and PLP loyalists to this day.

So, tell me, does David Burt care one iota that this incident with Mr DeSilva was unlawful? Apparently not. We now have a new housing minister who says his contribution will be a “huge advantage”. The question begging to be asked is, for whom?

So the next time anyone, anywhere, utters the word “Jetgate” when discussing Bermuda politics, just smile politely and walk away. Because, at that moment, they will have proved they are not worth one more second of your time.

That’s one topic we can finally put to bed.

BEVERLEY CONNELL

Pembroke

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