[Updated with video + statement] Five months into the One Bermuda Alliance?s term ?we have seen no movement? on a gaming referendum, and the ?Government is silent on this important issue,? Opposition Leader Marc Bean said this morning [May 16].
?We have heard much talk about human rights, municipality reform and SAGE ? but nothing on this campaign promise,? continued Mr Bean. ?Gaming will represent a tremendous shift in our tourism business model and brings with it numerous challenges and opportunities.?
?Whether we go forward with this, or decide that it isn?t a good fit for Bermuda, it should not be decided by backroom deals or political maneuvers, it should be decided by the people of Bermuda.?
?The PLP supports a referendum,? said Mr Bean, who also said that ?moral questions? should always be put to the people.
?Let?s face it, we have the Breakaway that has just arrived in Bermuda with 3,500 people, combined with an extra 1,500 ? 2,000 passengers on another cruise ship, and this is an exciting time for Bermuda, especially when it?s obvious we are in an economic downturn. Every opportunity to create, or spur, economic opportunities is being delivered via the Breakaway and our cruise lines passengers.?
?Now the question that is going to be asked, with 5,000 people visiting Bermuda, what is it truly there for them to do? Gaming has been identified as one of the amenities which can be provided to our guests.?
?Because we have to understand, it?s one thing to have 5,000 visitors come to the country, but they are of no value if they do not spend their money..?
?Unfortunately even though over successive Governments and successive re-branding exercises, unfortunately the brand that Bermuda offers today many would consider it to be boredom?? continued Mr Bean.
?Collectively I think Bermudians need to move away from what I consider to be conservative, or hypocritical conservatism?in the sense that we expect guests to conform to this rigid standard?.?
?We need to move past what I consider a stiff necked attitude towards tourism. We are in the business of providing customer service, so the customer comes first. So the question has to be asked, what do these visitors want??
Update 6.06pm: Mr Bean?s full remarks are below.
The Bermuda Progressive Labour Party believes that the issue of gaming must not only be moved forward immediately, but that the people, not the politicians should decide.
Last year in Parliament, the PLP passed the ?Referendum Act? which laid the foundation for important questions to be placed before the people of this country.
On November 2, 2102, the Progressive Labour Party tabled a bill in parliament to give the people that very right, allowing for a referendum on whether or not there should be Casino Gaming in Bermuda.
Parliament was dissolved before we got to debate the bill; however we were confident that given both the OBA and PLP election platforms committed to holding a referendum on the issue that we would have moved forward with the sense of urgency that this matter requires.
Before the election the OBA said, ?We will promote business development by: holding a referendum on casino gambling forthwith.?
However, now a full 5 months into the OBA?s term, we have seen no movement and the government is silent on this important issue. We?ve heard much talk about human rights, municipality reform, and SAGE, but nothing on this campaign promise.
Gaming will represent a tremendous shift in our tourism business model and brings with it numerous challenges and opportunities. Whether we go forward with this or decide that it isn?t a good fit for Bermuda, should not be determined by back room deals or political maneuvering?.it should be decided by the people of Bermuda
Before the election, Both Parties appeared to agree that on an issue of this magnitude, democracy works best, when the people have the opportunity to have their say. For that reason, we are mystified as to why the OBA continues to drag their feet on allowing the people?s voice to be heard. The PLP supports a referendum, the machinery is in place to have a referendum, the premier said the money is in the budget for a referendum, and the Gaming Referenda Act has already been written.
I was so frustrated by the lack of movement on this issue that in March, the PLP attempted to table the referendum bill, however it was not allowed under house rules. I am happy to share the bill with the Premier so that he can fulfill his party?s campaign promise.
The public through the Green Paper on Gaming produced back in 2010 has been informed of the potential benefits to our economy and opponents of gaming have had the opportunity to inform the community of their concerns. Voters will have ample time to discuss and debate the issue so that we can arrive at an informed decision. There is no reason to delay progress on this issue.
The PLP?s position is clear, the people?s voices must be heard. Premier Cannonier, I call on you to let the people have their say. Table the referendum bill tomorrow and let?s move on with the people?s business.
Category: All, News, Politics
Source: http://bernews.com/2013/05/opposition-leader-government-silent-on-gaming/
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