I read with interest the opinion by government senator Crystal Caesar, titled “Don’t be cowed by the ‘noise’ – things are really happening”.

This article is another Progressive Labour Party media release that trumpets little while many Bermudians continue to struggle and lack opportunities.

I am not surprised by the attack on the former One Bermuda Alliance government and, again in this article, the continued attempt to undermine the building of the new airport terminal and the America’s Cup.

Let us not forget that in spite of the PLP not being able to unearth anything of substance to rightfully challenge the contract for the development, it continues to spread misinformation. It is a fact that the project to date is progressing well, countless Bermudians are working on the site, there are training opportunities for Bermudians and the development has been met with international acclaim.

This brings to mind an old saying: “When in a deep hole, it’s best to stop digging.”

Yet, instead of heeding good advice, the PLP doubled down and upon assuming the government commissioned a consultant’s review of the airport project, which it hoped and prayed would provide the ammunition it wanted so badly to back up its unsubstantiated claims. That backfired badly, as it essentially validated the contract signed by the OBA.

In regards to the America’s Cup, the Trump-like comment used was that it was “a raft-up for billionaires”.

Really?

This mammoth undertaking was a big success for Bermuda and Bermudians, it received worldwide coverage and improved the economy and lives of Bermudians. These are facts.

Yet, instead of capitalising on the event and leveraging future opportunities, such as the massive potential of superyachts, the PLP as the Government continues to belittle this significant achievement and the tireless commitment of thousands of Bermudians who made the success possible and who, by doing so, portrayed our island home in such a positive light to more than 150 countries and 450 million people around the world.

However, I note the senator’s weak attempt to trumpet achievements over the past year such as the Tourism Investment Act, which was developed under the OBA, and support for Bermuda Heroes Weekend, which the OBA supported fully since inception. However, glaring in omission from the article is a mention of bitcoin or cryptocurrency, a third pillar of the economy, according to the PLP.

Sadly, while the Premier, David Burt, has said on many occasions that they have learnt from their previous time in government and recently as Opposition, the often-used excuse was repeated once again that the PLP did not cause the worldwide economic downturn of 2008.

That is a fact, but the policies and actions of the PLP government were a significant factor for the Bermuda economy going into a deep funk, which the OBA corrected by first righting the ship and then steering the island into calmer seas and a much healthier position.

The PLP government needs to get on in dealing with the lack of opportunities for Bermudians and strengthening our community. Bermuda is worse off today than in 2017 and many have less confidence in the country.

With all the challenges we face, it is sad that the PLP continues with the politics of “manufactured division”. These tactics remind me of a comment made by Barack Obama in 2008 when he rightly criticised Republicans in saying: “If you do not have a record to run on, then paint your opponent as someone people should run from ...”

This sums up the PLP, but we must do better.

• Michael Dunkley, an Opposition backbencher, is a former Premier of Bermuda, and the MP for Smith’s North (Constituency 10)