Deputy OBA Leader Ben Smith On Budget Debate The Opposition came to the House today “fully prepared” to begin debating the Budget and it was “disappointing, at best, to see that after our leader, the Hon Jarion Richardson and I spoke, no one from the Government rose to their feet,” Deputy Opposition Leader Ben Smith said. Mr Smith said, “We are in a different day politically when the Government is unable to defend its own Budget. It’s important for the people to understand that today David Burt’s government sent a resounding message to the people of Bermuda: we do not care about what you think and how you feel. “The Opposition came to the House today fully prepared not only to deliver its Budget Reply, but to begin debating it with the Government. “It was disappointing, at best, to see that after our leader, the Hon Jarion Richardson and I spoke, no one from the Government rose to their feet. “The question the people of Bermuda should be asking is: Why? “Bermuda is in crisis and Government Ministers and MPs chose to remain silent. This is definitely one for the history books. “The population of Bermuda is continuously shrinking. The Minister of Economy and Labour keeps talking about jobs but doesn’t discuss people. The Government brags about being in power for the last eight years. It makes promises to the people. But how many have actually materialised? He keeps talking, but where is the action? “How have thousands of Bermudians left the island yet the Government cannot concretely tell us how many? With a birth rate decline and an aging population the government can’t provide emigration numbers until 2026. “The International Business sector recently told the Government to do better. They want better infrastructure, they want the cost of living to stop rising. People are not feeling the growing economy that the Government wants us to believe exists. “David Burt’s government has continued to focus on the safety net for Bermudians that can’t keep their head above water and now the middle class are falling into it. “Seniors have to continue to work when they should be retired. Locals are struggling to buy groceries. Local business have far less customers while the Government say things are booming. “The Opposition Leader called the David Burt budget an illusion yet the Government chose not to defend it. Does that sound fair to Bermuda and her people?”