One Bermuda Alliance leader Cole Simons has admitted his party made mistakes in power as he accused the Government of being obsessed with the political blame game.

Mr Simons hit back at David Burt, the Premier, after he launched a string of attacks on how the OBA ran the country when it was in government between 2012 and 2017.

The Premier said the island’s finances had been drained by the controversial airport redevelopment deal signed by the OBA.

Mr Simons said the Progressive Labour Party was only interested in sowing political division.

He added: “Did the OBA make mistakes while we were the government? Yes, absolutely, but we made decisions that we felt were in the best interest of the people of Bermuda at the time – albeit with the measly resources left behind after 14 years under the helm of the PLP.

“No, not every decision was the right one and, as a result, we learnt some very valuable lessons.”

Mr Simons said the PLP tried to blame everyone else for its own mistakes.

He added: “Instead of being intent on blaming the One Bermuda Alliance for anything major that goes wrong under the Progressive Labour Party government, Premier Burt and his team should take accountability for their actions, or lack thereof, and focus instead on finding real solutions to minimise the detrimental impacts on the community.

“Their rhetoric of not taking accountability for their actions is old and quite frankly tiresome.

“The people of Bermuda need and deserve more than political divisiveness, especially at a critical time like this.

“The people of Bermuda deserve workable solutions and tangible plans. As a Government and Opposition, we can and we must work together for the betterment of Bermuda.”

Mr Simons insisted the OBA wanted to be a constructive Opposition.

He said: “The One Bermuda Alliance is committed to supporting the PLP Government when warranted, and we are also committed to holding them to account when we feel that more can and should be done.

“It’s easy to judge when you are not in the driver’s seat. But let’s not forget, the PLP has run the island for 19 of the last 23 years.”

Mr Simons was speaking after Mr Burt claimed the airport contract had left the island’s finances with a “critical challenge”.

Mr Burt also criticised the OBA’s handing of the environment as the Government announced part of Marsh Folly was being prepared for landfill waste as supply chain problems hit repairs to the Tynes Bay incinerator.

He said: “The people of Bermuda continue to endure the results of a nightmare one term government which happily signed away our rights to the airport and broke the bank to support the America’s Cup, all the while neglecting critical maintenance at Tynes Bay, citing lack of budget.

“Those decisions are still costing the treasury dearly and are also now affecting our natural environment.”