Four months ago, I started making weekly contributions to this newspaper and, as Christmas Day approaches with 2024 just around the corner, I wanted to take this opportunity to give you a flavour of what I have heard.

I will try to be as positive as possible and show some Christmas spirit, but I have to say it is not easy.

I promise you, I am not the Grinch. Rather, I am giving you the gift of the obvious.

I have spent a considerable amount of time talking to hundreds of people in the past several months, and what has been refreshing is the desire of fellow Bermudians of all walks of life who have been prepared to share their views, hopes, fears, dreams and aspirations. Some conversations have led to spirited debate, others have been just a few words of encouragement, but the most common theme across the spectrum is that Bermuda has lost its way.

I can honestly say there is not one person I have spoken with that actually believes Bermuda is on the right track. Not one. That in itself is desperately sad. The other common theme is that many people are planning an exit strategy.

The reasons are varied, but more often than not, it boils down to the cost of living. Seniors who have spent their whole lives here say they cannot afford to retire in Bermuda. Younger people say that unless they are in legal services or the reinsurance industry, there is a lack of jobs. Many middle-aged people plan to leave our shores when their children are off to college. Non-Bermudians with children in their early teens often say they will leave — and do — since their children cannot get status. It is actually depressing. It all means a commensurate decline in economic activity with the knock-on effect of fewer jobs for Bermudians.

What has gone so terribly wrong?

Just this past week, I watched boarding installed over the entrance to Crisson’s old African store since it had become a centre for untoward activity. The Star of David was desecrated by the ignorant. Shootings have become commonplace. The old Dog House remains dilapidated since the planning board turned down plans for major redevelopment on the site. The stench of urine fills the air farther down Front Street outside the old Crisson’s jewellery store. Ironically, the belongings of a “resident” of the storefront were piled haphazardly in front with a backpack emblazoned with the Progressive Labour Party logo. Storefront windows have been regularly smashed, shops have closed and remain empty, and the restaurant industry is barely hanging on.

On a Sunday, things are worse. Hamilton feels like the setting for a zombie film. I do not know how many places remain in business. A tourist I spoke with who has been coming to Bermuda since the mid-Eighties could not believe how depressing everything seemed! She was shocked at our fall from grace.

It is not all the Government’s fault. I suspect that many who have owned buildings in Hamilton for generations are either too cheap, too greedy, too lazy or too cash-poor to redevelop their properties for the modern age. Remember the saying: “The first generation makes it, the second generation spends it and the third generation blows it.” This attitude, mixed with strict planning laws designed to inhibit rather than encourage growth, a shrinking population, disastrous immigration policies and a burdensome tax structure, leads to a perfect storm of rot and dilapidation. You know what I am saying is true.

The Government can make any number of feel-good announcements about debt reduction, new hotel concessions or a lower-than-believable inflation rate, but unless you and I actually feel that things are improving, those words are as meaningful as stepping in dog poop.

What I see is the Government espousing to the world at COP28 about our apparent environmental awareness, yet we watch smoke stacks from Belco burning heavy fuel oil night and day, rebate rates cut for those with solar panels, and water supplies of surrounding residents poisoned. I see our infrastructure crumbling around us, from bridges to roads to government buildings. I see grocery prices higher than ever. I see Bermudians flocking overseas, local spending down and layoffs a common occurrence. Just this week, we heard that shipping container imports are down 20 per cent from 2018. I am surprised it is not more. I see school reform is total disarray, roads in a state almost unfixable and a country in a perpetual state of decline. I see critics torn apart by deniers. I doubt you see it any differently.

Our national plan for success, in summary, appears to be charging $10,000 for the privilege of a obtaining a permanent resident’s certificate, joining Caricom, relying on a new corporate tax — with amounts as yet to be determined from an unknown number of entities to be collected from in a manner yet unknown when there is still a tax-exemption certificate in place — sugar taxes and hotel concessions. Vertical farming, fish factories and deep-sea mining seem to have been discarded as ideas (thankfully). When you really think about it, it would seem the golden goose is no longer laying. Perhaps it is being prepared for the Cabinet Christmas bowl.

I do say to you as a reader, sorry. Sorry to point out the obvious. However, the reason I say these things is that I do care. I want Bermuda to be the best. The best place to live, raise children, educate our children, give certainty to our seniors and to be a place where we can all succeed. Bermudians and non-Bermudians. Black and White. Young and old.

That can happen only if we recognise the truths around us and be prepared to make the tough choices and decisions that need to be made. As much as the Government may dislike this message, it is time to truly change. It is time to be bold and be a tent for all. It is time to be progressive. Until we do, our Christmas goose will be well and truly cooked.

Sadly, my only Christmas gift is thank you. Thank you for being so open to me about your feelings. Thank you for stopping me in the street and writing e-mails to me. Thank you for sharing. I hope you continue to do so. Most of all, thank you for reading.

Merry Christmas, Bermuda. May 2024 be more prosperous for you than 2023. I hope it is.

• Michael Fahy was the Government Senate Leader and Cabinet minister in the One Bermuda Alliance government from 2012 to 2017. Thoughts or comments to opedfahy@gmail.com