On July 27, 2003, it was stated during a Progressive Labour Party conference, “We misled you because we had to — because our greatest goal before Thursday was for the party to win the election. And the reason you felt so betrayed is because we did everything in our power to pose as a united front so that we would do nothing to endanger winning this election.”

It can be contended that the PLP’s strategic framework has remained largely unchanged since that pivotal moment 21 years ago. The democratic process serves as an instrument for the present PLP administration to sustain a firm hold on power, all while the nation’s citizens across all age groups endure significant hardships.

The alarming rate at which young Black Bermudian males are losing their lives highlights this issue, as the Government, seemingly representing the people, misleads the public about its genuine motives to retain authority. Meanwhile, the country’s very foundations are being eroded, leading not only to loss of life but also to an impending economic collapse should the administration continue its present trajectory.

Let us now turn our attention to the Bermudiana Beach Resort. Originally, in 2011, what was known as the Grand Atlantic, was conceived by the PLP as a development for affordable housing and a hotel, with an initial investment of $42 million, sourced from public funds. Some may say this was a bad idea from the start. In 2014, attempts by the One Bermuda Alliance to secure financing for the hotel’s operation were unsuccessful.

On July 27, 2019, Lieutenant-Colonel David Burch alleged that the affordable housing initiative failed because of efforts by campaigners to prevent individuals of African descent from residing on the south shore of the island. He further claimed that the Grand Atlantic project was deliberately undermined, describing it as a victim of "sabotage".

The resort, transformed from the former apartment blocks, was initially slated to open in July 2020.

As reported on March 5, 2024, the Premier and Minister of Finance informed Members of Parliament that a guarantee had been issued for a $25 million loan on behalf of the Bermudiana Development Company, a subsidiary of the Bermuda Housing Corporation, to facilitate the completion of the resort on the south shore in Warwick. This was in effect a guarantee from Bermuda taxpayers, bringing the total investment in the project to $35 million, with anticipated completion by this summer.

On November 1, 2024, Colonel Burch announced that, after an expenditure of approximately $150 million on the project, Ernst & Young conducted a feasibility study and concluded that the hotel model was no longer viable. This report has yet to be released to the public. It is noteworthy that neither the hotel developer and partner, Hilton, nor the staff working on the project, including those responsible for securing room bookings, were consulted. This raises questions about the thoroughness of the feasibility assessment, given that rooms were already furnished and ready to accommodate guests.

How can it be explained that only eight months after an additional $35 million was invested into the project, a feasibility study on the completed hotel concluded that it was not viable? This conclusion appears illogical, as no justification was provided regarding why a finished hotel would not be profitable.

And let’s place this woeful project in the context of our economy. Our annual obligation to service a $3.5 billion debt should be essentially considered a “Ministry of Debt”, given its continually increasing annual budget of $140 million. One cannot help but wonder what impact annual interest payments would have if redirected towards community development. Perhaps paving the roads, creating more rooms at the hospital or increasing our police numbers.

Colonel Burch and his associates unilaterally terminated the contract with their business partner, doing so without prior communication of their concerns. This decision was taken without informing the dedicated staff who were working diligently to launch the hotel and establish sustainable employment opportunities. Furthermore, the public announcement to prioritise renting the condominiums to high-income earners — ie, expatriates — rather than Bermudians is particularly objectionable.

There is growing scepticism regarding Colonel Burch and his administration's commitment to serving the public interest. Concerns have been raised about continuing patterns of misinformation and deceit. If the PLP is permitted another term as government, there is apprehension about the potential for significant harm to the country’s prosperity.

If you love Bermuda, vote this government out.

• Robert King is the Shadow Minister of Youth, Social Development and Seniors, and the One Bermuda Alliance MP for Smith’s North (Constituency 10)