Curtis Dickinson has dismissed David Burt’s claims that the $376 million Fairmont Southampton deal has been done as the former finance minister accused the Premier of using “cute talk” to “confuse” people on the flagship issue.

Mr Dickinson came out fighting in his bid to take over the running of government, also hitting back at claims he is too aloof for the top job as he insisted he was more of a man of the people than Mr Burt and he would turn around Bermuda’s fortunes.

The former finance minister emphasised his humble origins as Progressive Labour Party delegates and MPs were poised to decide tonight whether he will oust Mr Burt as leader of the party and premier.

Mr Dickinson questioned Mr Burt’s assertion that the Fairmont Southampton agreement was now signed.

He told The Royal Gazette: “The deal is done, but it’s still being papered? So, is it done, or is it being papered? And, I would venture to say that the deal is not done.

“I think far too often cute language is used to create confusion.

“As a former finance professional, when you are papering a deal, that means you are documenting what you have essentially agreed to, the key terms.

“A deal is not done until it’s signed. A term sheet is not a deal. A deal being signed and fully executed by all the parties involved is when a deal is done.

“My issue remains at this time that the guarantee needs to be structured in a way to provide protection for the people of Bermuda in the event that things do not work out.”

The comments came after Mr Burt told PLP members at a leadership debate on Saturday: “The deal has been done. The deal has been signed.

“What we are doing is getting to the closing process, which takes 45 to 60 days.”

The level of government sweeteners and guarantees for the revamp agreement with developer Gencom was the reason Mr Dickinson quit the Cabinet only days before the February Budget.

In a wide-ranging interview, Mr Dickinson said he backed the idea of holding another referendum on same-sex marriage and ruled out forming a new political party if he lost the PLP leadership race.

Mr Dickinson insisted he had a greater understanding of social and economic diversity than Mr Burt.

Asked if he thought it was a low blow that Mr Burt appeared to claim Mr Dickinson was more comfortable on Wall Street than Devonshire Recreation Club, he said: “He said what he said.

“I am able to transcend neighbourhoods, I’m just as comfortable back of town as I am on Front Street.

“The reality is that I probably have more experience across the demographic … social economics than the Premier does.

“I was raised in a single-family home. My mother worked seven days a week. I was a latchkey kid. And we were taught the value of education.

“We struggled and by any stretch of the imagination, I have done very well.”

Mr Dickinson said his top priority as premier would be growing the economy to help deal with the cost-of-living crisis.

The former banker firmly ruled out forming a new party made up of like-minded PLP and One Bermuda Alliance MPs if he was beaten by Mr Burt.

He said: “I am a member of the PLP and I have committed myself to the residents of Constituency 21 [Pembroke South East]. I have a job to do as their elected MP.”

Mr Dickinson said that Bermuda’s stance on same-sex marriage had damaged the island economically.

“I would be in favour of people expressing their views on this issue. I would support a second referendum.

“I think that the [LGBTQ+] community has substantial purchasing power and I think, as time has gone on, groups — whether they be Black people, or other ethnic groups, or have sought to express their power through their collective — I think that certainly folks in the gay community would look at Bermuda with some question in respect to do they want to invest some money in our community in light of our position.”

Asked if he had the killer political instinct needed to be the head of government, Mr Dickinson said: “People are tired of regular-way politicians. People want folks who can deliver solutions.

“So, perhaps, not being a regular politician is an attribute that should be embraced.

“I like to get things done and I believe that in every battle, you don’t need to bring out the big weapons. Trying to build consensus is as important in politics as it is in everyday life. And sometimes you have to make tough decisions.”

Mr Dickinson insisted he was confident of victory, but the decision was for the 122 PLP delegates and 30 MPs.

He said: “The election is in the hands of delegates, and delegates have not cast any votes yet. I am not going to presume what they are going to say.”

Delegates and MPs will also decide the PLP deputy leader after Renée Ming challenged Walter Roban for the post.