It seems to be all the rage lately to take the position that there are no significant differences between Bermuda's two political parties, and that the voters aren't really given any choice at the polls.
While it may be true that there are less philosophical differences between the UBP and PLP of today, as both have moved to the political centre, difference do exist.
I've been meaning to write about one of the most significant for the past several weeks, but a virus (human not computer) and mechanical problems intervened. So I was pleased today to see UBP Senator Bob Richard's Op-Ed in the Royal Gazette entitled 'Bermuda needs a tax cut'.
This is an area where there are huge differences between the UBP and PLP. Simply put, the PLP as a Government believe that your money is theirs, while the UBP believe that it is in fact yours. Therein lies the fundamental differences between the parties; the UBP is fiscally conservative, the PLP are classic tax and spenders.
'The economy has done well under us' battle cry from the PLP rings hollow. The PLP Government have had no positive impact on Bermuda's finances or fiscal policy during their 7 plus years in office. None. The've simply allowed the UBP's economic policies to run, while living off the backs of a robust economy driven by two expansions of the international business sector post September 11 and Hurricane Katrina.
These expansions have generated excess tax revenue which has largely obscured their lack of fiscal restraint. As Sen. Richards suggests in today's column, when Government overcollects they should return this excess revenue not hold it up as fiscal prudence.
By not returning it they are implementing a tax increase.
The UBP's Grant Gibbons has been making this case for the past month, although too much like an accountant, until an interview with the Mid Ocean News on January 13th when I think he did a great job in bringing it down to everyday language.
I hope that today's article was the next step in a targeted plan to highlight what is a crucial difference between the UBP and PLP. Bermuda's strong financial position is entirely, entirely, a product of the United Bermuda Party and remains the key ideological differentiator between the parties.
Posted by Christian S. Dunleavy