“You can't have your cake and eat it [too] is a popular English idiomatic proverb or figure of speech. The proverb literally means ‘you cannot simultaneously retain possession of a cake and eat it, too’.”

— Wikipedia

For quite some time it has been known that Bermuda, as with most countries, has a low birthrate. This has led to the need for all countries to rethink their immigration policies in order to maintain or grow their working populations. Jason Hayward, the minister responsible for immigration, is on record stating that Bermuda needs to grow our numbers by 8,500 persons over the next few years.

The salient questions then become:

• What industries will create thousands of jobs?

• Where will these people live?

At present, the only industries that will create a near-instant demand for thousands of jobs would be the construction and operation of a number of hotels. There will then be the knock-on effect of increased renovation and construction for residential units to house these persons. This then leads to an increase in retail and service jobs.

Sounds simple, right? Not so quick.

For the past year there have been between three and five planning applications submitted for several hotel developments:

• Fairmont Southampton

• Nautilus Hotel (west of Azura)

• Ariel Sands

• Phoenix group submission next to Bermudiana Hotel

Most would be excited to actually see these developments come to fruition in order to help further grow the economy. Yet, low and behold, we have witnessed a concerted effort to launch objections to each and every one of these projects. Yes, there are those who seemingly do not want these projects to go ahead.

Hypocrisy

So the question now has to be asked.

How can we grow the working population of Bermuda if there are constant organised objections to the numerous projects that will create thousands of needed jobs?

On one hand, the One Bermuda Alliance constantly speaks about its desire to give away Bermudian status. Additionally, it stands in Parliament and waxes eloquently about wanting to work in a “bipartisan” way for population growth. Yet, somehow it remains silent when it comes to standing up for projects that would create hundreds of jobs for Bermudians and guest workers.

Simply put, “you can’t have your cake and eat it, too”.

• Christopher Famous is the government MP for Devonshire East (Constituency 11). You can reach him on WhatsApp at 599-0901 or e-mail at carib_pro@yahoo.com