You asked, Mr Editor, for my take on the 2014/15 Budget. Here you go in no particular order: —

First, I thought the Statement was pretty faithful. It followed the One Bermuda Alliance script as we have come to know it since their election. There were as a consequence no real surprises.

Nor was there any immediate pain or disappointment with no new or increased taxes, and no claw back of concessions. Apparently no job losses in the civil service as well.

We have been promised instead a $70-million cutback in spending. There will obviously be some real disappointment here, and quite probably pain as well.

It depends very much on just what will be cut and how well (or not) the cuts can be managed. The devil is in the detail which should emerge in the coming days.

However, this promise must also be viewed with some scepticism, and justifiably so. We learned that while Government took in just over $21-million more in revenue than budgeted for the current year, the OBA Government turned around and spent more than $32-million than planned which resulted in a further $10-million deficit.

Not promising that. Quick note here too: while the Minister referred to the figure $32-million in overspends in his written statement the attached tables showed that the figure may even be higher and be around $45-million.

Either way we are not seeing the kind of tighter control which we were promised, and which is needed if cuts and targets are to mean anything.

But there are times when words do count. Full marks to the Minister for raising the issues of the banks and their lending practices as well as Belco and the need to come to grips with electricity prices and the emergence of alternative sources.

Being in discussions may not tell us much about just what is being discussed and considered, but the language employed gave the impression that action by Government may well result — even if the talks don’t produce agreed results. We will wait to see.

On relaxation of the 60/40 rule, I think the Minister makes a mistake if he thinks the only people who are concerned are political demagogues whether they are reluctant or hesitant or opposed. Concern is more widespread than that.

People across the community are concerned that we do not give away Bermuda.

Parents want to have something to hand down to their children and in turn their children want to know they will always have a shot at the piece of the rock in the place they call home, which for some is their only home. They are not seeking or looking for political gain.

Say what you like about the oligarchs, and there is a lot you can say about how they feathered their nests, but they did not sell off Bermuda completely and left us something to compete with and to compete for to call our own.

There is a concern too, that if we simply open up Bermuda the division between, those who have and those who have not will simply widen without a plan. It may even become unbridgeable.

Yes, a relaxation of the rule has helped in the past, at some critical times and in some critical industries. But the policy then was selective, limited and with restrictions.

A similar cautious approach may be required again, particularly if the Government is to bring people along, and bringing people along with you is critical when it comes to change.

Like opportunities, once that trust is lost it is difficult, if not impossible, to retrieve.

More temperate language may be far more helpful to the public debate and discussions that will occur, starting with the Budget Debate in the coming weeks.

Those whom the Minister has accused of fanning the flames of fear may yet accuse him of the same for highlighting in strong terms the potential risk of losing our financial independence should we not embrace the change which the Government is proposing.

On plans to privatise and/or mutualise and/or outsource various parts of Government, it isn’t just that the jury is still out on these options.

It hasn’t even been empanelled yet. The groundwork has still to be laid, with the unions obviously and people generally.

On this the Minister may have struck the right note when he said: “We recognise and understand people’s fears about change and we will work carefully to make change work for the individual and the common good”.

That’s what people want to see, I expect, and not just hear.

* Your views are welcomed on The Royal Gazette website or write jbarritt@ibl.bm.