The Throne Speech was as heavy on the rhetoric of solidarity as it was light on the details of recovery.

It took Rena Lalgie, the Governor, 8,241 words to say not very much at all.

Not her fault as, apart from a few thoughts of her own tacked on at the end, the speech was written for her by the Government.

Universal healthcare was once again dangled in front of voters – but there was little sign of a road map to such a lofty destination.

Buzz words like “streamlining” and “merging” of health administrations were trotted out instead, but they were just sugar-coated ways to say job cuts could be on the horizon to provide extra funding for services.

There was, on the economic front, little meat on the bones.

A promise was made to boost the Bermuda Economic Development Corporation and there were constant references to the Government’s economic recovery plan, but not a whole lot else.

Consumers were promised cheaper energy bills through new regulations but there was little else of what politicians call “retail” – the goodies needed to entice voters to the ballot box.

Tourism was talked up, but, despite being the second biggest employer on the island before the Covid-19 crisis, few new proposals were unveiled.

But there did seem to be a bit of a dig at the Bermuda Tourism Authority.

The speech said: “Leadership in tourism policy must come from the Government of Bermuda, who commit tens of millions of taxpayer funds to the organisation, a commitment which demands a far greater return than has been realised in the years since the creation of the authority.”

But does it really matter, anyway? Analysis by The Royal Gazette showed that of the 22 key points showcased in last year’s Throne Speech only six were enacted.

Nearly half the pledges – 10 – did not see the light of day and the remaining six were only partially progressed.

This time around there were fresh promises, ranging from helping unemployed 18-26-year-olds and investment in economic empowerment zones to defending the island from cyber attack.

But the thrust of the legislative agenda lacked energy and imagination.

Right now, the political throne is looking a little bit rickety.