Government senator Leslie Robinson on Wednesday criticised the Opposition for presenting picture of “doom and gloom“ when talking of the Government’s economic policies.

Making what she described as her maiden speech in the Senate, the Junior Minister of Economy and Labour and Public Works, accused the One Bermuda Alliance of using scaremongering tactics and drew attention to progress made by the Progressive Labour Party despite a pandemic and global recession.

She criticised the OBA’s policies while in power including the airport redevelopment, introduction of furlough days for government workers and attempting to introduce Pathways to Status without proper consultation.

“Unions united, government workers joined in industrial action through protests and marches, government workers, and union leaders expressed their concerns – this was a time of real hopelessness,” she said.

“The OBA is quick to forget that this feeling of hopelessness was under their administration …

“Similar feelings of real hopelessness continue to this very day with the recent news of the sale by the owners Aecon of their 49.9 per cent stake in Skyport to Toronto-based Connor, Clark & Lunn Infrastructure.

“These are some of the examples of real hopelessness and despair felt by our people during the years under the OBA government – they were very turbulent times for our people.”

Douglas De Couto, the Shadow Minister for Economic Development and spokesperson for tourism, transportation, works and engineering and legal affairs, said the OBA members were merely reflecting the views of the voters they canvass.

Dr De Couto said: “When the OBA came into government in 2012 there was a deficit of over $200 million. The finance minister of the day had to take a loan just to make payroll for the civil service.

“What kind of operation works like that? That is where the PLP government left this country. And yes, the debt went up because if you inherit a billion-and-a-half dollars of debt plus a $200 million deficit on day one, what’s the next thing that has to happen to your debt?

“We showed how the OBA reduced that outstanding deficit budget from over $200 million that was managed down to less than $70 million and that is the main source of any debt increase under the OBA – the deficit created by the irresponsible spending of the PLP government.”

On furloughs he said: “Nobody likes furloughs but do you know what people like less? Having to slash jobs because of a $200 million deficit …

“Immigration reform – 8,000 – that is the number of people that this government has told us we need to bring to this island.

“The OBA knew that – we have yet to hear anything from this government on how to achieve that plan and frankly I don’t think we will.”