The One Bermuda Alliance makes a few claims that on the surface come across as if it is attempting to show empathy for the working and middle-class people of the country. Yet when you do a tiny bit of research, these claims are easily disproved.

As a prime example, it has claimed for years that the Progressive Labour Party is hostile to international business. Yet, during the Budget Reply press conference, it said that the success of international business and its effect on the economy is now a problem.

International business is doing well; the PLP appreciates this and provides a collaborative relationship to ensure the voice of international business is heard to ensure that it remains competitive and that we remain the domicile of choice.

The two most successful economic periods in Bermuda’s history have occurred under different PLP administrations.

The OBA claimed that the corporate income tax would be harmful to international business. Yet every IB association has given its verbal and written approval. The PLP took a collaborative approach and has taken a lead from the business community which fully supports views that were formulated into policy.

The Opposition also states that the PLP is unfriendly to guest workers. Yet there are rises both in the number of Bermudian and guest workers across all industries. The PLP introduced legislation that prevented the disruption of families and gave long-term security to workers who had spent a substantial period of their life in Bermuda.

Emigration

The OBA then goes on to say that there is mass migration out of the island. Yet the number of employed Bermudians has risen year over year. Let’s examine that claim:

• Are people emigrating? Yes

• Is there one single reason? No

• Is it the level that is being stated for political reasons? No

If one were to canvas any given constituency, approximately 95 per cent of those on the voters list are either still there or moved to another constituency in the country. For further information, the constituencies with the highest level of movement in or out are Pembroke East Central (Constituency 16) and Pembroke Central (Constituency 17).

Otherwise, the numbers in each constituency have not changed much.

As a prime example, there was a recent by-election in Smith’s South (Constituency 8). If the OBA was being honest, it would admit there were very few gaps between those registered and those still living in the same homes.

Every country experiences persons moving to different locations for vastly different reasons:

• Family connections

• Retirement options

• Education

• Career development

• Athletic opportunities

• Cost of living

Relief for the people

Let’s look at cost of living as a reason. Over the past few years, the following has been put in place to lower costs for the working and middle-class people of Bermuda:

• More than 50 new affordable housing units brought online

• Increased daycare allowance for young families

• Increased allowance for seniors at rest homes

• Increase in pay for civil servants

• No cuts to Civil Service

The OBA has never made any of the above social issues a priority. Both in government and out of government, its priority has remained:

“Granting such individuals streamlined pathways to full rights”

— Joseph Marable (OBA deputy co-chairman and candidate in Hamilton West)

Simply put, the OBA’s “maths is not ‘mathing’ up”.

No doubt, more can and must be done. Our balanced 2024-25 budget puts the Government in a stronger position to do more for the people of Bermuda.

• Kim Swan is the Junior Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport, and the MP for St George’s West (Constituency 2)