1 00:00:01,560 --> 00:00:05,440 Hello and welcome to an episode of The Full Point. 2 00:00:05,880 --> 00:00:09,880 This is where we tend to sit down with someone to have a more 3 00:00:10,200 --> 00:00:13,480 in depth, kind of get to know you conversation. 4 00:00:14,040 --> 00:00:17,320 And today I'm delighted to be joined by Jason Hayward, the 5 00:00:17,400 --> 00:00:21,320 Minister of Labour and Economy. But more importantly, I, at 6 00:00:21,320 --> 00:00:26,280 least for me for the purposes of this episode, someone who's 7 00:00:26,280 --> 00:00:29,240 declared himself as a candidate for the leadership of the 8 00:00:29,240 --> 00:00:32,680 Progressive Labour Party and therefore, by extension, the 9 00:00:32,680 --> 00:00:35,080 Premier of Bermuda. Minister, welcome. 10 00:00:36,320 --> 00:00:40,200 Jeremy, thanks. Just one quick apology in 11 00:00:40,200 --> 00:00:42,840 advance. It's I'm having to do this in my 12 00:00:42,840 --> 00:00:47,720 kitchen and it's quite possible that a 20 year old, very bleary 13 00:00:47,720 --> 00:00:52,760 eyed son, if he actually gets, might appear behind me 14 00:00:53,200 --> 00:00:56,160 desperately searching for the coffee. 15 00:00:56,200 --> 00:00:59,000 So apologies if that happens. Maybe I'll get him to ask you a 16 00:00:59,000 --> 00:01:01,120 question. He's studying politics and 17 00:01:01,120 --> 00:01:04,040 history of the Americas, so it might be interesting to see what 18 00:01:04,040 --> 00:01:05,920 he has to say. Definitely. 19 00:01:06,560 --> 00:01:08,360 Let's, let's get straight to the point. 20 00:01:08,480 --> 00:01:11,800 Why? Why do you want to be leader of 21 00:01:11,800 --> 00:01:15,120 the PLP and as I said, by extension, the premier of the 22 00:01:15,120 --> 00:01:18,960 country? And so I done an assessment as 23 00:01:18,960 --> 00:01:23,160 it pertains to the work that is required to move the country 24 00:01:23,160 --> 00:01:26,680 forward, and I've determined that I'm capable and willing to 25 00:01:26,680 --> 00:01:29,240 do that job. But that decision wasn't made 26 00:01:29,240 --> 00:01:31,800 independently. What I would have done was speak 27 00:01:31,800 --> 00:01:35,720 with a number of my colleagues, receive their feedback on the 28 00:01:37,800 --> 00:01:40,800 qualities that they would like to see in a leader, as bad as 29 00:01:40,800 --> 00:01:43,520 whether or not they believed I possessed those qualities. 30 00:01:43,880 --> 00:01:46,480 And the feedback was overwhelmingly positive. 31 00:01:46,960 --> 00:01:51,200 And so based off of me doing an assessment of my capabilities, 32 00:01:51,200 --> 00:01:54,720 what I know is required to move the country forward, as bad as 33 00:01:54,720 --> 00:01:58,200 the reassurance for my colleagues, I believe that that 34 00:01:58,200 --> 00:02:02,040 gave me the boost to move forward with putting my name 35 00:02:02,040 --> 00:02:05,920 forward as a candidate. So is this, is this ego, is it 36 00:02:05,920 --> 00:02:09,280 ambition, or is it a genuine kind of desire to lead the 37 00:02:09,280 --> 00:02:14,240 country of your birth? I think it is a willingness to 38 00:02:14,240 --> 00:02:20,120 ensure that Bermuda has the best leadership and the best 39 00:02:20,120 --> 00:02:23,720 representation moving forward and ensuring that we continue to 40 00:02:23,720 --> 00:02:27,760 do back on behalf of the people. And so it's driven by a need to 41 00:02:27,760 --> 00:02:30,360 ensure that we progress Bermuda on behalf of the people of 42 00:02:30,360 --> 00:02:34,640 Bermuda. And what those people you 43 00:02:34,640 --> 00:02:40,360 canvassed, what capabilities were they looking for in you? 44 00:02:40,880 --> 00:02:46,600 And So what they appreciate most about me over the last few years 45 00:02:46,600 --> 00:02:51,160 is my work ethic. They know that I'm also 46 00:02:52,200 --> 00:02:55,760 authentic. They understand that I have a 47 00:02:55,760 --> 00:03:01,240 ability to execute in meetings. They can clearly see that I'm a 48 00:03:01,240 --> 00:03:03,680 strategic thinker, I'm a problem solver. 49 00:03:04,880 --> 00:03:08,480 And so those are these type of skill sets in which they admire. 50 00:03:08,760 --> 00:03:12,240 They want somebody that can get things done, and they know that 51 00:03:12,240 --> 00:03:15,240 I'm capable of getting things done, but not just getting 52 00:03:15,240 --> 00:03:17,760 things done in a really needy manner. 53 00:03:18,040 --> 00:03:21,000 One that does a reasonable assessment of what is required 54 00:03:21,000 --> 00:03:25,880 and then successfully executes. Are you nervous about actually 55 00:03:25,880 --> 00:03:28,240 winning? No, not being leader. 56 00:03:29,560 --> 00:03:32,000 There must be a certain little bit of doubt in the back of your 57 00:03:32,000 --> 00:03:34,400 mind. It's a serious responsibility, 58 00:03:34,400 --> 00:03:37,280 but I'm very much prepared to take one. 59 00:03:37,480 --> 00:03:41,400 That responsibility, Nervousness, I wouldn't say that 60 00:03:41,400 --> 00:03:48,880 I'm, I'm nervous. I would say that when I look at 61 00:03:48,880 --> 00:03:53,640 my journey and my my trajectory, it has led me to this particular 62 00:03:53,640 --> 00:03:55,920 point. So I'm very much prepared to 63 00:03:55,920 --> 00:03:59,480 take one the opportunity that presents itself. 64 00:04:00,800 --> 00:04:06,240 Was I dreaming or did you once say relatively recently, maybe 65 00:04:06,320 --> 00:04:09,560 12 to 18 months ago, that you were not interested in the top 66 00:04:09,560 --> 00:04:12,880 job? I think it was a point in a 67 00:04:12,880 --> 00:04:16,839 period of time where I was determined in battle and not I 68 00:04:16,839 --> 00:04:19,399 remain in politics in the long term. 69 00:04:20,720 --> 00:04:24,120 It is a very stressful and toxic environment and you go through 70 00:04:24,120 --> 00:04:27,600 peaks and valleys. But with the support of my 71 00:04:27,600 --> 00:04:33,680 colleagues and me also knowing what I believe to be best in the 72 00:04:33,680 --> 00:04:37,640 best interest of Bermuda moving forward with this particular 73 00:04:37,640 --> 00:04:39,880 journey. Well, I had had two of my 74 00:04:39,880 --> 00:04:42,200 colleagues at one point in time that I wasn't going to run for 75 00:04:42,200 --> 00:04:45,080 another term. And I went home and I couldn't 76 00:04:45,080 --> 00:04:49,240 sleep for three, three nights. And the challenge was that it 77 00:04:49,240 --> 00:04:51,800 didn't sit well with my own personal constitution. 78 00:04:52,160 --> 00:04:57,000 Notwithstanding, I know that it it is a very demanding job. 79 00:04:57,600 --> 00:05:01,800 The cool part of me says that this is the job that you are 80 00:05:01,800 --> 00:05:07,400 designed to do. Were you a bit taken aback when 81 00:05:07,640 --> 00:05:12,240 Zane de Silva was quick out of the blocks on on this podcast 82 00:05:12,240 --> 00:05:15,800 last year to declare that he was going for the leadership? 83 00:05:16,600 --> 00:05:19,880 Not necessarily taken aback. It is a democratic process and 84 00:05:19,880 --> 00:05:23,520 so anybody can put their name forward as leader. 85 00:05:23,760 --> 00:05:27,840 What I was more pleased about is sitting down this day and having 86 00:05:27,840 --> 00:05:31,200 a one-on-one conversation as to how we move forward collectively 87 00:05:31,440 --> 00:05:34,720 and getting the support. And so that should a level of 88 00:05:34,720 --> 00:05:38,200 maturity, but it also should a level of trust in my ability as 89 00:05:38,200 --> 00:05:40,080 well. And I'm pleased that we've been 90 00:05:40,080 --> 00:05:44,520 able to, we've been able to work together now rather than, you 91 00:05:44,520 --> 00:05:48,320 know, create an environment of adversarial or adversity. 92 00:05:49,000 --> 00:05:52,920 So it's interesting you, you obviously before you came out 93 00:05:52,920 --> 00:05:56,080 and declared your leadership candidacy, you sat down with 94 00:05:56,080 --> 00:05:58,920 Zain and, and you if you like, you work it out a deal. 95 00:05:58,920 --> 00:06:02,680 You worked out that this would be the ticket going forward, you 96 00:06:02,680 --> 00:06:06,880 and Zain running for deputy. So I don't believe that it's 97 00:06:06,880 --> 00:06:08,960 necessarily correct. I don't believe that Zain has 98 00:06:08,960 --> 00:06:11,840 declared that he is going to continue to run for deputy. 99 00:06:12,720 --> 00:06:16,720 So it's it's no ticket. What happened is we had a 100 00:06:16,720 --> 00:06:20,960 conversation rather than about his endorsement for my 101 00:06:20,960 --> 00:06:25,600 leadership, but he also has some reasons that factored into his 102 00:06:26,120 --> 00:06:29,280 decision. But you are running together. 103 00:06:29,280 --> 00:06:30,960 He is. I thought he was running for 104 00:06:30,960 --> 00:06:33,800 deputy. I thought, when was it? 105 00:06:33,800 --> 00:06:36,120 I can't remember when he both announced it earlier this year. 106 00:06:36,520 --> 00:06:38,080 Is that wrong? He's not running for deputy. 107 00:06:38,080 --> 00:06:40,360 At this point, he hasn't made it clear that he will run for 108 00:06:40,360 --> 00:06:43,040 deputy. Oh, OK, I thought he had. 109 00:06:43,160 --> 00:06:45,880 OK, well, I'll go back and ask him, see if he'll come on the 110 00:06:45,880 --> 00:06:47,240 show again. Let us know. 111 00:06:49,200 --> 00:06:52,600 There's always, there always seems to be 1 shadow, I suppose 112 00:06:52,600 --> 00:06:54,840 when when a leader, when a leader declares. 113 00:06:54,840 --> 00:06:57,360 And I suppose in this instance is Curtis Dickinson. 114 00:06:57,840 --> 00:07:00,080 He's tried once. Would you expect him, would you 115 00:07:00,080 --> 00:07:03,600 welcome him to challenge Curtis? Obviously being a former finance 116 00:07:03,600 --> 00:07:08,640 minister and still PLPMP. Anyone's free to challenge and 117 00:07:08,640 --> 00:07:12,440 so I want to sit down and and with a sense of arrogance and 118 00:07:12,440 --> 00:07:14,440 say I welcome everybody to challenge. 119 00:07:14,680 --> 00:07:18,960 But certainly it's a democratic process and anybody can put 120 00:07:18,960 --> 00:07:22,640 their name forward as leader of the party right now if it's a 121 00:07:22,640 --> 00:07:25,440 unique circumstance because you don't have an incumbent 122 00:07:25,480 --> 00:07:28,880 remaining. And so the Premier has indicated 123 00:07:28,880 --> 00:07:31,880 that he will not run moving forward, and as a result, he's 124 00:07:31,880 --> 00:07:34,480 opened it up for anybody in the party to put their name forward 125 00:07:34,760 --> 00:07:40,400 and is actually welcomed. But what we want to do is ensure 126 00:07:40,520 --> 00:07:45,200 that this process is not used to turn on the party and create 127 00:07:45,720 --> 00:07:49,040 great levels of division, but that we can move forward in a 128 00:07:49,040 --> 00:07:52,040 unified manner. And I respect the visions of the 129 00:07:52,040 --> 00:07:54,040 delegates. And so if they determine that 130 00:07:54,760 --> 00:07:57,880 I'm not the individual for the job, I'm still very much 131 00:07:57,880 --> 00:08:01,000 committed to the party. And I expect anybody else who 132 00:08:01,000 --> 00:08:05,080 puts their name forward, if not if they're not successful, to be 133 00:08:05,080 --> 00:08:07,920 committed to the advancement of the aims and objectives of the 134 00:08:07,960 --> 00:08:10,640 party. Do you think you you talked 135 00:08:10,640 --> 00:08:13,920 earlier about the stresses involved of being a politician 136 00:08:13,920 --> 00:08:17,120 or minister and he mentioned that you were not going to seek 137 00:08:17,120 --> 00:08:20,480 another term If you are not successful, is that the end of 138 00:08:20,480 --> 00:08:22,840 your political career? Definitely not. 139 00:08:23,960 --> 00:08:28,400 I'm Stanley, got a lot of energy left in me and I've already 140 00:08:28,680 --> 00:08:31,040 made-up my mind that I'll continue to serve the people of 141 00:08:31,040 --> 00:08:35,760 Bermuda in whatever capacity that I'm required to. 142 00:08:37,000 --> 00:08:39,880 Where, where are you on the political spectrum? 143 00:08:39,960 --> 00:08:43,159 I mean, I'm going to say this and obviously you'll correct me 144 00:08:44,320 --> 00:08:49,280 as a Union Leader, generous, generally seen as being quite 145 00:08:49,280 --> 00:08:55,280 left wing, were you that are you now very left wing, are you left 146 00:08:55,280 --> 00:08:59,560 of centre or are you going to be more of a political pragmatist? 147 00:09:00,520 --> 00:09:04,120 No, I think that my core is sent to laugh. 148 00:09:05,400 --> 00:09:09,280 I wouldn't consider myself a pure leftist, but I do support 149 00:09:09,280 --> 00:09:10,920 the principles of social democracy. 150 00:09:11,400 --> 00:09:16,560 I do support social justice. I do support freedom. 151 00:09:16,560 --> 00:09:20,600 I do support collectivism. I recognise that we need a 152 00:09:20,600 --> 00:09:26,040 strong economy and the market has to function effectively in 153 00:09:26,040 --> 00:09:28,360 order for us to provide the social protection status 154 00:09:28,360 --> 00:09:31,720 required for the development of the rest of society. 155 00:09:32,800 --> 00:09:34,880 Are you prepared to be a bit of a pragmatist there? 156 00:09:34,880 --> 00:09:37,680 Because I'd imagine as the leader of the country you have 157 00:09:37,680 --> 00:09:39,640 to be. Sometimes you put aside your 158 00:09:39,640 --> 00:09:44,320 political beliefs. I think that you have to be 159 00:09:44,320 --> 00:09:46,920 flexible when you do it. The world is evolving. 160 00:09:48,040 --> 00:09:51,760 The you can't remain in a static position. 161 00:09:52,200 --> 00:09:56,360 You have to ensure that you have the ability to assess a 162 00:09:56,360 --> 00:10:01,880 situation and move forward with what is in the best interest 163 00:10:01,880 --> 00:10:04,320 based off of that period of time and based off the knowledge that 164 00:10:04,320 --> 00:10:07,240 you do actually have. And I think that is a strong 165 00:10:07,240 --> 00:10:11,760 part of my ability. You will see that I started out 166 00:10:11,760 --> 00:10:15,240 as the Minister of Labour but then evolved into the Minister 167 00:10:15,240 --> 00:10:18,720 of Economy and Labour. And having that portfolio, you 168 00:10:18,760 --> 00:10:23,160 understand that you want to have strong levels of economic growth 169 00:10:23,160 --> 00:10:26,000 and business development, but you also want to have an 170 00:10:26,000 --> 00:10:28,200 inclusive economy where the people of Bermuda actually 171 00:10:28,200 --> 00:10:30,640 benefit from that. And there are trade-offs that 172 00:10:30,640 --> 00:10:34,640 you have to make as a pertains to ensuring that you progress 173 00:10:34,680 --> 00:10:39,200 and advance business interests while still serving the people 174 00:10:39,200 --> 00:10:41,840 of Bermuda. Those those trade-offs are quite 175 00:10:41,840 --> 00:10:44,240 interesting, aren't they? I mean, being a former union 176 00:10:44,240 --> 00:10:49,400 man, the leader of the BPSU, if you come up against the unions, 177 00:10:49,560 --> 00:10:50,800 are you going to stand up to them? 178 00:10:51,760 --> 00:10:54,040 I don't think if that's a trade off that's needed. 179 00:10:55,080 --> 00:10:59,160 I think that you create an environment that doesn't exist. 180 00:11:00,040 --> 00:11:04,640 What we want to do is progress harmonious industrial relations. 181 00:11:04,720 --> 00:11:08,760 I'm not directly involved with employee matters that will have 182 00:11:08,760 --> 00:11:10,760 direct interventions with the union. 183 00:11:11,200 --> 00:11:14,560 I actually involve the union in tripartite conversations on a 184 00:11:14,560 --> 00:11:17,400 ongoing basis. Rather it be the labor Advisory 185 00:11:17,400 --> 00:11:19,760 Council, rather it be the workforce Development Board, 186 00:11:19,760 --> 00:11:21,680 rather they sit on the immigration board. 187 00:11:22,000 --> 00:11:27,040 And so I value the contributions of the labor movement and as a 188 00:11:27,040 --> 00:11:30,320 result I involve them in the decision making process. 189 00:11:30,640 --> 00:11:35,360 There will be items that we may disagree on, but it's how we 190 00:11:35,360 --> 00:11:38,640 solve those disagreements. We've had, I guess, 1 191 00:11:38,640 --> 00:11:42,960 disagreement in my entire 6th year as a, as a minister, but 192 00:11:42,960 --> 00:11:46,480 we've had our ability to work together thereafter. 193 00:11:46,480 --> 00:11:54,200 And so you, you, you have to be in a position where you get to 194 00:11:54,200 --> 00:11:57,480 understand and appreciate the differences of opinion which 195 00:11:57,480 --> 00:12:02,320 exist in society and understand what is the basis of that 196 00:12:02,320 --> 00:12:04,240 decision. In fact, that into the funded 197 00:12:04,240 --> 00:12:06,000 decision as pertains to how we move. 198 00:12:06,000 --> 00:12:11,480 Forward will you have red lines though the line in the sand if 199 00:12:11,480 --> 00:12:15,800 you're premier? I don't know what issues force 200 00:12:15,800 --> 00:12:18,280 you to create a line in the sand. 201 00:12:18,720 --> 00:12:21,320 And so you have barometer checks. 202 00:12:21,320 --> 00:12:25,720 So it's not just me as premier. You have a party caucus, you 203 00:12:25,720 --> 00:12:30,520 have a central committee, you have cabinet, all which involve 204 00:12:30,520 --> 00:12:33,960 democratic processes. And if you make a decision and 205 00:12:33,960 --> 00:12:36,920 they go through those democratic processes, then most times 206 00:12:37,600 --> 00:12:40,600 you'll come to the assessment that that decision is a sound 207 00:12:40,600 --> 00:12:44,280 decision. So it'll be a lot of consensus 208 00:12:44,280 --> 00:12:47,120 that you'll take the consensus of the party and the caucus. 209 00:12:47,840 --> 00:12:50,720 I think that's what takes place now for the most part. 210 00:12:51,040 --> 00:12:53,680 David Burke actually has said that a lot when I've interviewed 211 00:12:53,680 --> 00:12:54,800 him before. Yeah. 212 00:12:55,360 --> 00:12:57,520 And you'll continue that kind of style, will you? 213 00:12:58,560 --> 00:13:01,440 Yeah, most definitely. I believe in collectivism, I 214 00:13:01,440 --> 00:13:07,760 believe in inclusive leadership and so I'm not sitting up and 215 00:13:07,880 --> 00:13:11,040 and trying to be the smartest man in the room at all times. 216 00:13:11,120 --> 00:13:14,400 You have to utilise the skill sets and the value of the 217 00:13:14,400 --> 00:13:16,760 individuals that are around you. I agree. 218 00:13:16,880 --> 00:13:19,840 Sometimes leadership is involving people around you, 219 00:13:19,840 --> 00:13:21,800 isn't it? Yeah, most definitely. 220 00:13:23,320 --> 00:13:27,920 So, so given that is, can we expect, could we expect anything 221 00:13:28,360 --> 00:13:31,920 to be meaningfully different about a Jason Heywood 222 00:13:31,920 --> 00:13:34,240 premiership from the current administration? 223 00:13:34,960 --> 00:13:37,280 And I'm not asking you to criticize a current 224 00:13:38,000 --> 00:13:39,800 administration, you won't do that. 225 00:13:40,200 --> 00:13:43,040 But anything you might like to modify? 226 00:13:44,160 --> 00:13:48,720 Most definitely from my standpoint, I have a greater 227 00:13:48,720 --> 00:13:52,920 need to develop social and economic policy that benefit the 228 00:13:52,920 --> 00:13:55,640 people of Bermuda. And so we would have definitely 229 00:13:55,640 --> 00:13:57,280 have a social development strategy. 230 00:13:57,840 --> 00:14:01,560 So much issues that we're facing in society is as a result of 231 00:14:03,160 --> 00:14:06,560 kind of social issues that are permeated rather it be in 232 00:14:06,560 --> 00:14:09,240 healthcare rather it be in education rather it be 233 00:14:09,240 --> 00:14:13,080 associated with all of them. We want to ensure that we have 234 00:14:13,400 --> 00:14:17,920 education system that is high quality and that is benefiting 235 00:14:18,000 --> 00:14:20,160 our youth. We want to ensure that we have 236 00:14:20,240 --> 00:14:24,000 accessible and affordable healthcare and accessible and 237 00:14:24,000 --> 00:14:27,760 affordable housing, but then we also want to ensure that we 238 00:14:28,160 --> 00:14:31,400 empower persons so that they can take advantage of the 239 00:14:31,800 --> 00:14:35,200 opportunities that exist in our society as well and where there 240 00:14:35,200 --> 00:14:38,200 are gaps, to ensure that we have those necessary social 241 00:14:38,200 --> 00:14:41,320 interventions, and I think that is fundamentally important. 242 00:14:42,360 --> 00:14:44,560 I mean, with respect, those are the kind of mantras that we've 243 00:14:44,560 --> 00:14:48,520 been hearing for quite a long time now from the PLP and the 244 00:14:48,520 --> 00:14:52,440 PLP government and education in particular doesn't really seem 245 00:14:52,440 --> 00:14:55,280 to get any better. Anyway, that's that's just a 246 00:14:55,280 --> 00:14:58,320 comment. Yeah, but you you should access. 247 00:14:59,160 --> 00:15:03,720 You should expect that any leader of the party has those 248 00:15:03,720 --> 00:15:05,560 core values. True. 249 00:15:06,440 --> 00:15:11,480 Yes, Fairpoint, Fairpoint, the, the, one of the drawbacks of 250 00:15:11,720 --> 00:15:15,920 having the Internet and things like that is your background. 251 00:15:16,160 --> 00:15:18,320 The things you've said in the past never really go away. 252 00:15:18,800 --> 00:15:20,880 And there are a couple of things I want to ask. 253 00:15:21,040 --> 00:15:25,040 And this is going back actually 10 years now when you were in 254 00:15:25,040 --> 00:15:28,080 the BPSU leader and it was you wrote a column. 255 00:15:28,440 --> 00:15:31,800 I just want to quote a little bit from it through my own 256 00:15:31,800 --> 00:15:35,000 personal lens. Party politics in Bermuda has 257 00:15:35,000 --> 00:15:38,720 primarily been centred on race, with the majority of residents 258 00:15:38,720 --> 00:15:42,360 voting seemingly along racial lines rather than a party's 259 00:15:42,360 --> 00:15:46,160 political ideology. As a result, we have people who 260 00:15:46,160 --> 00:15:50,840 vote PLP or Oba, even though the party's political ideology is 261 00:15:50,840 --> 00:15:52,560 fundamentally different from theirs. 262 00:15:52,840 --> 00:15:55,640 For example, there are whites in Bermuda who support socialist 263 00:15:55,640 --> 00:15:59,320 policies about Oba, and despite being capitalist, there are 264 00:15:59,320 --> 00:16:03,920 blacks who vote PLP. Has that changed or how would 265 00:16:03,920 --> 00:16:06,720 you change it? How would you be more inclusive? 266 00:16:07,400 --> 00:16:13,440 So it hasn't changed as it pertains to the trends of 267 00:16:13,680 --> 00:16:18,000 voting. I believe that the PLP is viewed 268 00:16:18,000 --> 00:16:23,320 as a black party and Oba is viewed as the party for anybody 269 00:16:23,320 --> 00:16:25,920 else that does not support the Progressive Labour Party. 270 00:16:26,560 --> 00:16:31,280 But I would say that in order for us to progress as a society, 271 00:16:31,360 --> 00:16:35,360 we need to ensure that the policy positions that we put 272 00:16:35,360 --> 00:16:37,840 forward benefit all. And I think that's what we've 273 00:16:37,840 --> 00:16:41,920 been clear on. The party is an inclusive party 274 00:16:42,360 --> 00:16:49,560 and what you want to see, you want to see greater diversity in 275 00:16:49,600 --> 00:16:53,400 ideas and do it. That's how we actually progress 276 00:16:53,400 --> 00:16:55,760 society. And so if you looked at the 277 00:16:55,760 --> 00:17:00,840 outreach that I've done from the billions of the Minister of 278 00:17:00,840 --> 00:17:05,400 Economy and Labour, I've consulted with all of Bermuda, I 279 00:17:05,400 --> 00:17:08,920 engage with all of Bermuda. Nobody's excluded from policy 280 00:17:08,920 --> 00:17:12,440 development, nobody is excluded from providing feedback and 281 00:17:12,440 --> 00:17:15,599 their ideas. And I actually value their, the 282 00:17:15,599 --> 00:17:19,119 entire Bermuda's opinions because that's how we get to 283 00:17:19,359 --> 00:17:27,480 more grounded policies, policies that serve the best interests of 284 00:17:27,480 --> 00:17:31,240 the country. Can you under your premiership, 285 00:17:31,240 --> 00:17:33,680 will you see more white people? Can you encourage more white 286 00:17:33,680 --> 00:17:38,760 people to vote for the PLP? I think that in order for us to 287 00:17:38,760 --> 00:17:44,920 continually win elections, we have to appeal to presidents 288 00:17:44,920 --> 00:17:48,280 beyond what's considered to be our traditional base. 289 00:17:48,640 --> 00:17:52,560 And what you will find is that white presidents do vote for the 290 00:17:52,560 --> 00:17:54,080 Progressive Labour Party in Bermuda. 291 00:17:55,480 --> 00:18:00,360 Do we want to ensure that we increase the participation in 292 00:18:00,360 --> 00:18:01,760 elections? Yes. 293 00:18:02,120 --> 00:18:06,680 Do we want to ensure that we build confidence outside of the 294 00:18:06,680 --> 00:18:09,240 black community in Bermuda? Of course we do. 295 00:18:09,600 --> 00:18:14,920 And so we must have policies in place that serve all of Bermuda. 296 00:18:17,080 --> 00:18:20,240 Again, going back to my comment, it's easy to search what people 297 00:18:20,240 --> 00:18:24,440 have said in the past and you once gave a speech in the House 298 00:18:24,720 --> 00:18:27,960 where you said we need not ask anybody's assistance. 299 00:18:28,400 --> 00:18:31,280 We have the capacity to deliver on behalf of our people and that 300 00:18:31,280 --> 00:18:34,680 is why we are here. That at the time was widely 301 00:18:34,680 --> 00:18:40,360 interpreted to say we don't need anybody's help, we don't need 302 00:18:40,360 --> 00:18:42,520 the white person's help, we don't need the OB as help. 303 00:18:42,520 --> 00:18:44,560 We're here and we can do it. And I think he was slightly 304 00:18:44,560 --> 00:18:47,040 rebuked by the Premier at the time. 305 00:18:47,440 --> 00:18:50,280 Do you regret saying that now? Absolutely not. 306 00:18:50,960 --> 00:18:53,480 Tell me why. That was in the context of me 307 00:18:53,480 --> 00:18:56,640 knocking on the door and somebody putting their setting 308 00:18:56,640 --> 00:18:59,800 their doorbell. And that's when I, Diane said 309 00:18:59,800 --> 00:19:02,680 that I'm not interested in someone's vote who want to put 310 00:19:02,680 --> 00:19:06,160 the dog out on me. And then it it actually. 311 00:19:06,360 --> 00:19:09,960 That's why you were canvassing. Yeah, said continues. 312 00:19:10,240 --> 00:19:14,080 Where because you are representative, persons feel as 313 00:19:14,080 --> 00:19:18,400 though you have to do exactly what they say. 314 00:19:18,760 --> 00:19:24,640 And you know what? As a leader, you are elected to 315 00:19:24,640 --> 00:19:28,520 lead as well. And so you formulate your 316 00:19:28,520 --> 00:19:33,200 policies based off of the data that you have, the inputs that 317 00:19:33,200 --> 00:19:35,880 you actually have. You have a son team and you can 318 00:19:35,880 --> 00:19:38,920 utilize their team. It's always this call for 319 00:19:39,600 --> 00:19:42,920 bipartisan contributions to be made. 320 00:19:43,440 --> 00:19:45,880 But when you reach out to the other side and ask for their 321 00:19:45,880 --> 00:19:48,920 assistance, it's wanton. It's few and far in between. 322 00:19:48,920 --> 00:19:53,240 And so we have to say we'll prepare to do, to learn, we're 323 00:19:53,240 --> 00:19:56,440 prepared to execute on our agenda because we know this in 324 00:19:56,440 --> 00:19:58,240 the best interests of the people of Bermuda. 325 00:19:58,800 --> 00:20:06,520 Often times we send out these olive branches even after the 326 00:20:06,520 --> 00:20:10,920 worst events, even after people say the most vile beings, we 327 00:20:10,920 --> 00:20:13,360 turn back around, we offer olive branches. 328 00:20:13,720 --> 00:20:19,040 And when you heard people talk, they always talk about how we 329 00:20:19,040 --> 00:20:21,800 can collectively work together. But in practice that doesn't 330 00:20:21,800 --> 00:20:25,080 take place. And so why stress ourselves? 331 00:20:25,080 --> 00:20:29,000 We've tried to involve people in a in a process who never have 332 00:20:29,000 --> 00:20:32,200 your best interests at heart. Yeah, it's very true. 333 00:20:32,200 --> 00:20:34,880 A lot of it is politicking or politicking, isn't it? 334 00:20:35,600 --> 00:20:37,800 And. And you see that and it, it 335 00:20:37,800 --> 00:20:40,160 works both ways as well. Of course, when somebody else is 336 00:20:40,160 --> 00:20:41,560 in power, they'll do the same thing. 337 00:20:41,560 --> 00:20:43,640 But yeah, I hear what you're saying. 338 00:20:43,920 --> 00:20:46,760 The the other thing, of course, and I the these things 339 00:20:47,120 --> 00:20:52,320 potentially can live with you and create impressions of you 340 00:20:52,320 --> 00:20:57,760 that might not be fair or true. But how does the Union Thug 341 00:20:57,760 --> 00:20:59,600 T-shirt? How's that going to play out? 342 00:20:59,600 --> 00:21:03,280 I know it was irony, I get it, but there's so many people won't 343 00:21:03,280 --> 00:21:07,720 see that. You are going back a decade to a 344 00:21:07,720 --> 00:21:09,760 T-shirt. Yeah, but these things will come 345 00:21:09,760 --> 00:21:11,000 back. These are kind of things that 346 00:21:11,000 --> 00:21:14,200 will be used against you. You know the Oba will see you in 347 00:21:14,200 --> 00:21:16,000 the house and they'll bring these things up. 348 00:21:16,760 --> 00:21:20,080 Those things have been used against me my entire in Korea 349 00:21:20,400 --> 00:21:23,720 and notwithstanding that, I've demonstrated my ability to 350 00:21:23,840 --> 00:21:26,000 execute. And so I've been the Minister of 351 00:21:26,000 --> 00:21:27,800 the Economy and Labour for six years now. 352 00:21:28,120 --> 00:21:31,120 And if you look at my accomplishments, there's 353 00:21:31,120 --> 00:21:34,840 something I'm very proud of. It's my track racket, my ability 354 00:21:34,840 --> 00:21:37,080 to execute. And every year the Ministry of 355 00:21:37,080 --> 00:21:40,640 Economy and Labour has put out under your documents speaking 356 00:21:40,640 --> 00:21:43,400 about all the accomplishments that we're able to achieve on 357 00:21:43,400 --> 00:21:48,600 behalf of the people of Bermuda. And so if one wants to hop on AT 358 00:21:48,600 --> 00:21:53,960 shirt that I wore that I got at a Canadian training school 359 00:21:54,480 --> 00:21:57,080 because I didn't get the teaching T-shirt made. 360 00:21:57,080 --> 00:22:00,800 It was given to me when I went to a Canadian trade union summer 361 00:22:00,800 --> 00:22:03,560 school. And the women in the summer 362 00:22:03,560 --> 00:22:06,920 school had on a pink union dog T-shirt and the man in the 363 00:22:06,920 --> 00:22:09,120 summer school had on a black union dog T-shirt. 364 00:22:09,440 --> 00:22:12,960 And we all wore our union dog T-shirts to class. 365 00:22:13,400 --> 00:22:19,680 And so I am unapologetic about telling people that I represent 366 00:22:19,680 --> 00:22:22,960 the union and if I am going to be a dog, I'm going to be a dog 367 00:22:22,960 --> 00:22:25,640 on behalf of the people of Bermuda and ensuring that I 368 00:22:25,640 --> 00:22:27,360 progress the rights of the people of Bermuda. 369 00:22:27,680 --> 00:22:31,000 And so it's not because I was fighting for any nefarious 370 00:22:31,000 --> 00:22:33,640 'cause I was fighting to advance the rights of people. 371 00:22:33,640 --> 00:22:38,040 And I'll continue to fight to advance the rights of people in 372 00:22:38,040 --> 00:22:41,880 my role as the Minister of Economy and Labour and as well 373 00:22:41,880 --> 00:22:45,400 as if I move forward to become the leader of the progressive 374 00:22:45,400 --> 00:22:49,080 Lip boy. I mean, I saw it as being 375 00:22:49,080 --> 00:22:53,840 incredibly ironic, that T-shirt, but I, I don't know if any, any, 376 00:22:53,840 --> 00:22:58,040 how many other people saw that. Easy question. 377 00:22:58,400 --> 00:23:01,280 So you become leader of the PLP in October. 378 00:23:01,280 --> 00:23:05,560 You take on the role as premier. Your first 12 months of premier, 379 00:23:05,560 --> 00:23:09,520 what kind of measurable targets would you publish? 380 00:23:09,600 --> 00:23:13,360 What kind of metrics, if you like, would you look to succeed 381 00:23:13,360 --> 00:23:16,600 at? And so when you take over the 382 00:23:16,600 --> 00:23:20,960 leader of political party, the first thing you want to do is 383 00:23:20,960 --> 00:23:27,960 ensure that you have good governance structures in place 384 00:23:28,280 --> 00:23:32,320 and those are the things that lead to sustainable 385 00:23:32,320 --> 00:23:34,600 organization. And then you do a full 386 00:23:34,600 --> 00:23:40,080 assessment of what are the aims, the objectives and the mission 387 00:23:40,080 --> 00:23:42,480 and ensuring that we have a strategic plan that allows us to 388 00:23:42,480 --> 00:23:46,680 achieve those things. But when we look from a country 389 00:23:46,680 --> 00:23:51,360 standpoint, we do have a election manifesto that we ran 390 00:23:51,360 --> 00:23:53,320 on and promised the people a permuted that we were going to 391 00:23:53,320 --> 00:23:56,240 execute on. And part of the responsibility 392 00:23:56,240 --> 00:24:00,160 will be ensuring that we close out all of those items that we 393 00:24:00,160 --> 00:24:02,760 saw to advance in the last election. 394 00:24:03,440 --> 00:24:07,080 And where there are gaps, ensure that we fill those gaps. 395 00:24:07,360 --> 00:24:09,840 But then also talk about how we're going to be 396 00:24:10,840 --> 00:24:14,040 transformational. I don't expect to be a status 397 00:24:14,040 --> 00:24:16,680 quo leader. I will be focused on change. 398 00:24:16,720 --> 00:24:21,400 I will be focused on ensuring that we have a new economy 399 00:24:21,400 --> 00:24:24,760 strategy, as the current economic development strategy 400 00:24:24,800 --> 00:24:28,720 will expire in 202027. We want to ensure that we have a 401 00:24:28,720 --> 00:24:32,800 new economy strategy that would lead us forward for the next 402 00:24:32,800 --> 00:24:36,600 five years or so. We want to ensure that we battle 403 00:24:36,600 --> 00:24:39,720 support small and medium sized enterprises in Bermuda. 404 00:24:40,080 --> 00:24:46,360 We want to ensure that we address some of the challenges 405 00:24:46,480 --> 00:24:49,400 that we are having with our education system. 406 00:24:49,920 --> 00:24:54,120 We want to advance healthcare reform in a meaningful way and 407 00:24:54,120 --> 00:24:58,600 we need to ensure that we make meaningful progress on our 408 00:24:58,600 --> 00:25:00,640 housing situation. Some very critical. 409 00:25:00,640 --> 00:25:03,640 Issues, some extremely. Critical issues. 410 00:25:03,960 --> 00:25:08,000 All and imagine top priorities for you and and the government. 411 00:25:09,720 --> 00:25:12,960 David Bird as the premier primarily as has mentioned that 412 00:25:12,960 --> 00:25:17,360 he intends to stay on as an MP. Would you be tempted to offer 413 00:25:17,360 --> 00:25:19,800 him a seat in the Cabinet? Maybe as finance minister? 414 00:25:20,520 --> 00:25:24,560 And that's certainly. Premature, but he has made every 415 00:25:24,560 --> 00:25:28,520 intention to sit on the backbench and so that's what he 416 00:25:28,520 --> 00:25:32,520 has expressed that he would like to sit on the backbench like. 417 00:25:32,520 --> 00:25:36,160 He's worked extremely hard over the last nine years leading the 418 00:25:36,160 --> 00:25:37,840 country. He's done an excellent job. 419 00:25:38,080 --> 00:25:41,680 He's been an excellent steward of the country's finances. 420 00:25:41,680 --> 00:25:45,400 He's put us in excellent fiscal position. 421 00:25:45,560 --> 00:25:50,920 We now have the fiscal capacity to do a number of things that we 422 00:25:50,920 --> 00:25:53,680 couldn't do in the past when we were operating a prayers of 423 00:25:54,080 --> 00:25:58,320 austerity. And so he's done a commandable 424 00:25:58,320 --> 00:26:01,160 job and if he's determined that he wants to. 425 00:26:03,520 --> 00:26:05,760 Conclude his contribution. In the cabinet and sit in the 426 00:26:05,760 --> 00:26:09,360 backbench then that is welcomed. You don't mind? 427 00:26:09,360 --> 00:26:12,600 Having a former premier sitting over your shoulder, standing up 428 00:26:12,600 --> 00:26:18,160 with the House of Assembly and maybe critiquing your work, No. 429 00:26:18,160 --> 00:26:20,680 I don't mind having his. Expertise in the room at all? 430 00:26:23,440 --> 00:26:27,600 Post October, if you're successful and you take up the 431 00:26:27,600 --> 00:26:33,600 reins as the leader and premier, will you be tempted to call an 432 00:26:33,600 --> 00:26:37,560 election fairly soon afterwards? Generally speaking, that is what 433 00:26:37,560 --> 00:26:40,760 happens, certainly in the UK where we have a similar system. 434 00:26:40,760 --> 00:26:44,400 Obviously the new Premier Prime Minister wants to have their own 435 00:26:44,400 --> 00:26:47,200 mandate. Do you foresee calling an early 436 00:26:47,200 --> 00:26:50,520 election because he will still have three years come October? 437 00:26:50,520 --> 00:26:53,200 Weren't you 2 1/2 years? Yeah, and. 438 00:26:53,200 --> 00:26:56,520 So you do an assessment and call an election man, it's the best 439 00:26:56,520 --> 00:26:59,800 time to actually call one. I don't think that the 440 00:26:59,800 --> 00:27:05,440 leadership change prompts election call. 441 00:27:05,440 --> 00:27:09,920 And so we'll do an assessment as to where we currently sit, how 442 00:27:09,920 --> 00:27:14,600 we've executed on the items that we've had in our manifesto and 443 00:27:14,600 --> 00:27:16,920 then determined that would be the appropriate time to call an 444 00:27:16,920 --> 00:27:20,560 election. OK, I. 445 00:27:20,560 --> 00:27:22,200 Think that's all my questions on leadership. 446 00:27:22,200 --> 00:27:24,160 I probably missed a lot. There are a couple of other 447 00:27:24,160 --> 00:27:26,560 things Minister Wiley here that I would love to talk to you 448 00:27:26,560 --> 00:27:30,000 about. The first one is Iran and the 449 00:27:30,000 --> 00:27:33,560 situation in the Persian Gulf. Obviously, the whole world 450 00:27:33,560 --> 00:27:36,520 pretty much is going through a pretty huge economic shock. 451 00:27:37,600 --> 00:27:40,160 The consequences are seeing now, but they could last for quite a 452 00:27:40,160 --> 00:27:43,000 lot longer. They're talking about repairs to 453 00:27:43,000 --> 00:27:46,520 gas pipelines, liquid natural gas pipelines, etcetera, taking 454 00:27:46,520 --> 00:27:50,680 years to fix until all this can start flowing again. 455 00:27:51,920 --> 00:27:56,280 I as Minister of Economy, are you seeing it having an impact? 456 00:27:56,520 --> 00:27:58,880 If not, do you expect it to have an impact? 457 00:27:58,880 --> 00:28:02,320 And if so, and watch which way? Most definitely. 458 00:28:02,320 --> 00:28:09,920 It will have an impact. Geopolitics impacts the world 459 00:28:10,000 --> 00:28:13,400 and Bermuda is not immune from the shocks that will take place 460 00:28:13,400 --> 00:28:16,560 in the rest of the world, even when we start to talk about 461 00:28:17,200 --> 00:28:19,960 relationships. But there will be a number of 462 00:28:19,960 --> 00:28:22,200 impacts. There will be an economic impact 463 00:28:22,440 --> 00:28:26,640 because it's driving up the cost of fuel. 464 00:28:27,080 --> 00:28:31,000 And so from air transport standpoint it would have an 465 00:28:31,000 --> 00:28:35,200 impact from the cost of fuel for our cars. 466 00:28:35,200 --> 00:28:38,200 From shipping point standpoint it would have an impact. 467 00:28:38,480 --> 00:28:42,040 And so we should expect Bermuda's inflation rate to 468 00:28:42,040 --> 00:28:46,680 actually progress. There are a number of caps that 469 00:28:46,680 --> 00:28:49,880 we can put in place from a tax perspective to try to buffer as 470 00:28:49,880 --> 00:28:52,320 fast as we possibly can. But we're not going to be able 471 00:28:52,320 --> 00:28:55,840 to buffer airline tickets. We're not going to be able to 472 00:28:56,760 --> 00:29:00,800 buffer the electricity cost at Bell Group because we've already 473 00:29:01,080 --> 00:29:05,840 reduced the taxes to as low as we can actually reduce the 474 00:29:05,840 --> 00:29:08,320 taxes. We can't buffer shipping cost. 475 00:29:08,640 --> 00:29:11,880 And so the cost of goods inputted into Bermuda will 476 00:29:12,280 --> 00:29:19,160 increase and then products that are by product of oil would 477 00:29:19,160 --> 00:29:21,960 actually increase as well as they will do. 478 00:29:22,360 --> 00:29:25,520 Pharmaceuticals fertilize definitely and so. 479 00:29:25,520 --> 00:29:29,840 Across the board, we expect to see price increases and Bermuda 480 00:29:30,120 --> 00:29:33,680 already having one of the higher cost of livings it is actually 481 00:29:33,680 --> 00:29:37,680 concerned. But I would go ahead to stay 482 00:29:37,680 --> 00:29:42,400 from a business standpoint in a world of uncertainty, Bermuda 483 00:29:42,400 --> 00:29:44,680 can actually be a beacon of stability. 484 00:29:45,000 --> 00:29:48,720 And so we can attract companies to come and operate in our 485 00:29:48,720 --> 00:29:52,080 business ecosystem as a result of the stable environment that 486 00:29:52,080 --> 00:29:54,600 we do here. On the flip side though. 487 00:29:55,080 --> 00:30:00,440 We've seen this mentioned by quite a few insurers as CEOs is 488 00:30:00,440 --> 00:30:05,680 the cost of living and you what everything you said is going to 489 00:30:05,680 --> 00:30:08,800 put up the cost of living. There's very little, it sounds 490 00:30:08,800 --> 00:30:10,840 like from what you're saying that the government can actually 491 00:30:10,840 --> 00:30:14,280 do, and this could become a real problem. 492 00:30:15,320 --> 00:30:16,720 So the. Cost of living has been a 493 00:30:16,720 --> 00:30:20,440 challenge and that's why the Premier appointed the minister 494 00:30:20,440 --> 00:30:24,120 responsible for the cost of living and looking at the cost 495 00:30:24,120 --> 00:30:27,040 of living in a number of areas. We know it was a challenge 496 00:30:27,040 --> 00:30:29,600 because when we done the immigration report and Acts 497 00:30:29,840 --> 00:30:33,040 individuals why they were emigrating from Bermuda, they 498 00:30:33,040 --> 00:30:36,400 indicated that the main drivers were the cost of living in 499 00:30:36,400 --> 00:30:39,080 Bermuda. It's something that we need to 500 00:30:39,120 --> 00:30:42,960 ensure that we get a handle on. The biggest input into the cost 501 00:30:42,960 --> 00:30:45,160 of living obviously is the cost of housing. 502 00:30:45,520 --> 00:30:50,760 And so if we are to expand the volume of public housing in 503 00:30:50,760 --> 00:30:55,280 Bermuda, hopefully that creates some pressure in the market 504 00:30:55,280 --> 00:30:59,920 where it can begin to draw down the prices of rent in Bermuda. 505 00:31:00,320 --> 00:31:04,000 When we look at food, then we look at utilities, we look at 506 00:31:04,000 --> 00:31:05,840 how we can provide targeted relief. 507 00:31:06,200 --> 00:31:10,120 The government has done a good job as to cut in taxes on an 508 00:31:10,120 --> 00:31:13,520 annual basis on the every citizen, everyday, everyday 509 00:31:13,520 --> 00:31:16,040 citizen. And so we can increase the 510 00:31:16,200 --> 00:31:20,240 partisan power that the citizens actually have to spend in 511 00:31:20,240 --> 00:31:22,280 Bermuda. But it will be a challenge, it 512 00:31:22,280 --> 00:31:24,600 will be a ongoing challenge and it'll be something that we have 513 00:31:24,600 --> 00:31:28,040 to collectively grapple with. But I do think from a business 514 00:31:28,040 --> 00:31:33,400 standpoint, business ecosystem and the benefits of our business 515 00:31:33,400 --> 00:31:36,440 ecosystem all ranks the cost of doing business in Bermuda. 516 00:31:36,440 --> 00:31:38,800 And that's why we see Bermuda continuingly attracting 517 00:31:38,800 --> 00:31:43,280 businesses year after year. I, I spent three months in the 518 00:31:43,280 --> 00:31:45,000 UK. I only been back a couple of 519 00:31:45,000 --> 00:31:49,800 weeks and obviously I tuned it a lot to what was happening in 520 00:31:49,800 --> 00:31:51,760 politics there. And Keir Starmer, the British 521 00:31:51,760 --> 00:31:55,480 Prime Minister and the Chancellor Exchequer, they were 522 00:31:55,480 --> 00:31:59,200 continually kind of convening meetings with big business 523 00:31:59,200 --> 00:32:03,960 leaders, with the banks, etcetera, to see how they could 524 00:32:03,960 --> 00:32:07,360 ameliorate some of the effects of the Iran war. 525 00:32:07,360 --> 00:32:10,760 Is that something you've done or something you will be doing here 526 00:32:10,760 --> 00:32:12,800 as well? Most definitely. 527 00:32:12,800 --> 00:32:17,640 Looking at where the PM points actually exist and then having 528 00:32:17,640 --> 00:32:20,560 direct conversations as to how we can assist businesses. 529 00:32:20,560 --> 00:32:23,320 And I think we already started that before we can reduce some 530 00:32:23,320 --> 00:32:25,360 of the bureaucracy and reduce rare tape. 531 00:32:25,760 --> 00:32:31,040 But part of ensuring that we have a song that's stable and 532 00:32:31,040 --> 00:32:36,000 sustainable business ecosystem is reducing this cause 533 00:32:36,080 --> 00:32:38,640 impediments within the business community. 534 00:32:38,800 --> 00:32:40,960 The only way in which we're going to do that is work 535 00:32:40,960 --> 00:32:44,200 collectively with industry to achieve those goals. 536 00:32:44,680 --> 00:32:46,960 So what kind of meetings? Have you had so far or which 537 00:32:46,960 --> 00:32:49,720 ones are you planning? I meet with CEOs. 538 00:32:49,720 --> 00:32:55,080 On a ongoing basis, for example, the Economic Development 539 00:32:55,080 --> 00:32:58,640 Department has been charged with meeting with the retail industry 540 00:32:58,640 --> 00:33:01,480 to determine how we can battle support the retail industry. 541 00:33:01,720 --> 00:33:04,240 We meet with the Chamber of Commerce on a regular basis. 542 00:33:04,240 --> 00:33:09,120 We meet with what they consider to be the alphabet soup filter 543 00:33:09,360 --> 00:33:14,880 aber abic on a ongoing basis. I do know that the Ministry Stir 544 00:33:14,880 --> 00:33:19,680 of Housing meets with the construction industry as it 545 00:33:19,680 --> 00:33:23,480 pertains to the imports associated with construction 546 00:33:23,480 --> 00:33:27,840 course. And you see us prior to the 547 00:33:27,840 --> 00:33:30,920 budget period meeting with industry to determine how we can 548 00:33:30,920 --> 00:33:33,920 actually reduce taxes. And that's partly why the 549 00:33:33,920 --> 00:33:37,680 employer's portion of payroll tax has been reduced across the 550 00:33:37,680 --> 00:33:40,240 board to battle support employers in Bermuda. 551 00:33:41,600 --> 00:33:44,800 The the. War in Iran is yet another 552 00:33:44,800 --> 00:33:47,880 reminder of the instability in the world at the moment. 553 00:33:47,880 --> 00:33:52,440 Obviously Ukraine, COVID, President Trump lot would argue 554 00:33:52,440 --> 00:33:54,520 he's unstable. I'm not asking you to comment on 555 00:33:54,520 --> 00:34:00,360 that Minister, I promise. Were we right to to push back 556 00:34:00,440 --> 00:34:04,640 moves for renewables as was recently announced Renewable 557 00:34:04,640 --> 00:34:08,679 energy sources, I think. That part of the economic 558 00:34:08,679 --> 00:34:11,880 development strategy calls for progression in our blue and 559 00:34:11,880 --> 00:34:15,280 green economy, which includes renewables. 560 00:34:15,280 --> 00:34:17,840 But we have to be realistic about our targets as well. 561 00:34:18,239 --> 00:34:21,080 And I think that is what it's actually been done, general 562 00:34:21,080 --> 00:34:25,760 assessments of what is a realistic target to actually 563 00:34:25,760 --> 00:34:30,440 achieve. But if the war has taught us one 564 00:34:30,440 --> 00:34:33,159 thing, it is that we need to do 2 things. 565 00:34:33,360 --> 00:34:37,360 Ensure that we do have a diversified economy and then 566 00:34:37,360 --> 00:34:40,360 ensure that we have greater levels of economic 567 00:34:40,360 --> 00:34:44,960 relationships. So for example, 70% of all our 568 00:34:44,960 --> 00:34:47,040 goods import come from United States. 569 00:34:47,440 --> 00:34:49,520 But if that relationship ever becomes. 570 00:34:52,280 --> 00:34:54,840 Stressed I would. Say, you know, in a very polite 571 00:34:54,840 --> 00:34:58,920 way, and it will create challenges for Bermuda. 572 00:34:59,240 --> 00:35:04,240 And so part of my responsibility now is to work with the National 573 00:35:04,240 --> 00:35:08,080 Economic Cooperation Committee. And what that committee seeks to 574 00:35:08,080 --> 00:35:12,040 do is engage in Economic Cooperation with different 575 00:35:12,040 --> 00:35:14,600 territories and countries throughout the world so that we 576 00:35:14,600 --> 00:35:18,600 can build greater levels of economic capacity as well as 577 00:35:18,880 --> 00:35:22,080 forge more meaningful partnerships when the world's 578 00:35:22,120 --> 00:35:24,480 get, I mean you. Talk about. 579 00:35:24,480 --> 00:35:28,240 Diversifying the economy and that's been the Holy Grail ever 580 00:35:28,240 --> 00:35:30,040 since. I've been in Bermuda 20 or 30 581 00:35:30,040 --> 00:35:32,000 years now. But we seem to have gone the 582 00:35:32,000 --> 00:35:36,440 other way a little bit in the sense that IB as a catch all 583 00:35:36,440 --> 00:35:40,120 phrase is the biggest contributor now to GDP, isn't 584 00:35:40,120 --> 00:35:41,760 it? And payroll tax. 585 00:35:42,560 --> 00:35:45,200 So. Certainly international business 586 00:35:45,200 --> 00:35:47,560 is the biggest contributor to our economy. 587 00:35:48,640 --> 00:35:52,360 Debt sector is roughly around 29% of all economic activity in 588 00:35:52,360 --> 00:35:54,600 Bermuda. But what we do see is 589 00:35:54,600 --> 00:35:57,120 diversification within international business. 590 00:35:57,720 --> 00:36:02,120 So we're international business started with like Cactus and 591 00:36:02,120 --> 00:36:06,200 then traditional PNC and all C diversification as to the lines 592 00:36:06,200 --> 00:36:08,200 of business and which international business actually 593 00:36:08,200 --> 00:36:13,160 right as well as expansion of long term insurers. 594 00:36:13,400 --> 00:36:16,760 We want to ensure that we build our capacity back and fund 595 00:36:16,760 --> 00:36:19,120 administration. You know that we have been 596 00:36:19,120 --> 00:36:26,480 working on fintech as well and expanding that level of business 597 00:36:26,480 --> 00:36:28,560 activity. But if you look at the economic 598 00:36:28,560 --> 00:36:33,520 development strategy, if we will put considerate efforts forward 599 00:36:33,840 --> 00:36:37,480 to ensure that we diversify other areas of our economy. 600 00:36:37,480 --> 00:36:40,400 And so we will be running on national entrepreneurship 601 00:36:41,200 --> 00:36:46,400 strategy and that will. Provide us with clarity as. 602 00:36:46,400 --> 00:36:49,320 To how we better support the development of small and medium 603 00:36:49,320 --> 00:36:51,440 sized enterprises within Bermuda. 604 00:36:51,840 --> 00:36:56,880 We will be moving forward with legislation to greater promote 605 00:36:57,640 --> 00:37:01,680 cooperatives as well because we want to see more cooperatives 606 00:37:01,840 --> 00:37:05,840 formed in Bermuda as an alternative to the current 607 00:37:05,840 --> 00:37:08,560 business models that exist within our community. 608 00:37:09,960 --> 00:37:13,000 We will be moving forward with our digital economy strategy, 609 00:37:13,440 --> 00:37:19,480 ensuring that the we have greater use of technology in our 610 00:37:19,480 --> 00:37:23,560 economy, moving some of the technology from the fringes of 611 00:37:23,560 --> 00:37:25,840 our society to more mainstream uses. 612 00:37:26,240 --> 00:37:29,760 And that will speak to how we better enable and support the 613 00:37:29,760 --> 00:37:34,160 private sector, how we transform government services so there are 614 00:37:34,160 --> 00:37:38,600 more digitized and digital offerings of public services, 615 00:37:38,600 --> 00:37:42,040 ensuring that we have the infrastructure for our society 616 00:37:42,360 --> 00:37:45,760 in the future and ensuring that we continue to develop and 617 00:37:45,760 --> 00:37:51,880 promote our human capabilities. For a number of years now, 618 00:37:51,880 --> 00:37:55,200 Bermuda's really been courting the Middle East. 619 00:37:56,080 --> 00:37:58,720 You've had a, you've got a Middle East consultant, you've 620 00:37:58,720 --> 00:38:02,440 been over there several times, a Premier, other other ministers 621 00:38:02,440 --> 00:38:06,080 has had. But we've seen recently that 622 00:38:06,120 --> 00:38:09,240 Saudi Arabia in particular has really been cutting back on 623 00:38:09,240 --> 00:38:13,760 overseas investments. The Liv Golf tournament for 624 00:38:13,760 --> 00:38:15,080 instance, they're not doing that. 625 00:38:15,080 --> 00:38:19,840 Newcastle United, this massive glass building that they wanted 626 00:38:19,840 --> 00:38:21,160 to build. Now it doesn't look like it's 627 00:38:21,160 --> 00:38:24,560 going to be funding. How do you think the and? 628 00:38:24,560 --> 00:38:27,000 The Iran war obviously is going to make it more difficult 629 00:38:27,000 --> 00:38:29,280 because they're going to have to invest in their own economy 630 00:38:29,600 --> 00:38:30,960 because of the damage being done. 631 00:38:32,120 --> 00:38:33,320 How? Is the Iran war? 632 00:38:33,320 --> 00:38:36,880 Affected the Bermuda kind of Middle East courting if you like 633 00:38:37,120 --> 00:38:41,120 is it is it off now is it on off relationship and so if you look. 634 00:38:41,120 --> 00:38:46,520 At the nation of nature of the relationship, it is capacity 635 00:38:46,520 --> 00:38:48,520 building nature at this point in time. 636 00:38:48,840 --> 00:38:52,440 And so we are using that relationship and leveraging that 637 00:38:52,440 --> 00:38:57,000 partnership to build greater capacity for the delivery of 638 00:38:57,000 --> 00:39:02,800 government services as well as capacity in our economy. 639 00:39:03,520 --> 00:39:07,400 They have evolved digitally and we are on that particular 640 00:39:07,400 --> 00:39:09,400 journey. And so there is expertise that 641 00:39:09,400 --> 00:39:13,920 can be sure we have something as pertains to our regulation of 642 00:39:13,920 --> 00:39:17,960 financial services and they are seeking to build capacity as it 643 00:39:17,960 --> 00:39:21,040 pertains to the regulation of their financial services. 644 00:39:21,320 --> 00:39:28,480 And so they are a economy that has had the ability to be 645 00:39:28,480 --> 00:39:32,200 extremely ambitious and close this execution and ambition 646 00:39:32,200 --> 00:39:35,280 gaps. And I think we can learn from 647 00:39:35,400 --> 00:39:39,760 the work that they've actually done as it pertains to ensuring 648 00:39:39,760 --> 00:39:42,800 that we progress our society in a meaningful way. 649 00:39:43,240 --> 00:39:47,120 And from a digital standpoint, there is a lot of capacity and 650 00:39:47,120 --> 00:39:51,640 know how and institutional knowledge that they have that 651 00:39:51,640 --> 00:39:55,080 they can help permuter with developing how we move forward 652 00:39:55,560 --> 00:39:59,160 as well as also creating relationships with other 653 00:40:00,720 --> 00:40:06,040 countries within the GCC. And that will be also important 654 00:40:06,040 --> 00:40:09,040 as it pertains to us moving forward with greater levels of 655 00:40:09,080 --> 00:40:12,800 Economic Cooperation. There is this drive for Economic 656 00:40:12,800 --> 00:40:15,680 Cooperation, of course, the entire what they consider to be 657 00:40:15,680 --> 00:40:20,080 global S, which is the Middle East, Africa and South America 658 00:40:20,360 --> 00:40:24,920 and ensuring that we continually work together to. 659 00:40:26,280 --> 00:40:29,040 Diversify how? We actually do business and 660 00:40:29,040 --> 00:40:30,880 where we actually get our investments from. 661 00:40:32,560 --> 00:40:35,640 It kind of leads. Me on quite nicely to the next 662 00:40:35,680 --> 00:40:38,400 area I wanted to discuss and I'm sure you're not surprised by 663 00:40:38,400 --> 00:40:43,640 this is CARICOM are you a supporter personally of full 664 00:40:43,640 --> 00:40:50,160 membership certainly that's. The story of us and So what I 665 00:40:50,160 --> 00:40:55,400 would say, yes, we are have been a member of the Caribbean family 666 00:40:55,640 --> 00:40:59,880 for years. We've never been detached from 667 00:40:59,880 --> 00:41:04,400 the Caribbean. I believe what we have to have a 668 00:41:04,400 --> 00:41:09,360 meaningful conversation about and around is what is the 669 00:41:09,840 --> 00:41:14,040 benefits of moving from associate membership to full 670 00:41:14,040 --> 00:41:17,640 membership and what are the risks associated with that. 671 00:41:17,800 --> 00:41:21,560 So as I heard people as well as risk and I'm not sure if there's 672 00:41:21,560 --> 00:41:25,840 risks are actually realistic or there's first, just because 673 00:41:25,840 --> 00:41:28,480 there is a lack of knowledge. And where there is a lack of 674 00:41:28,480 --> 00:41:30,560 knowledge, I think is believe it's the government's 675 00:41:30,560 --> 00:41:33,800 responsibility to assist us with closing those knowledge gaps. 676 00:41:34,120 --> 00:41:37,120 And so ask some point in questions as it pertains to what 677 00:41:37,120 --> 00:41:40,080 does this mean for our economy? What does this mean from 678 00:41:40,080 --> 00:41:43,760 immigration standpoint? What does this mean in terms of 679 00:41:44,320 --> 00:41:47,600 of relationships with territories and trade 680 00:41:47,600 --> 00:41:50,520 relationships and the expansion of trade relationships and how 681 00:41:50,520 --> 00:41:53,280 we can build capacity from that relationship? 682 00:41:53,280 --> 00:41:55,480 I think that's important to share with the people of Bermuda 683 00:41:55,880 --> 00:41:59,440 the benefits associated with full manipulation. 684 00:42:01,320 --> 00:42:04,280 Jonathan Starling and I on this podcast discussed the Green 685 00:42:04,280 --> 00:42:06,960 Paper when it came out. Jonathan was quite enthusiastic 686 00:42:06,960 --> 00:42:10,160 about it. I looked at it and I couldn't 687 00:42:10,160 --> 00:42:13,640 see specifically how it would benefit Bermuda. 688 00:42:14,240 --> 00:42:18,560 I, I didn't see examples, I didn't see any stats or anything 689 00:42:18,560 --> 00:42:21,160 like that. That said, This is why it 690 00:42:21,160 --> 00:42:24,760 benefits Bermuda. You said that's a bit of a gap. 691 00:42:24,760 --> 00:42:26,360 Is that a gap that needs closing? 692 00:42:26,360 --> 00:42:28,640 Do you think? Do you, were you a supporter of 693 00:42:28,640 --> 00:42:30,720 the Green paper? Do you think it went far enough? 694 00:42:31,120 --> 00:42:34,560 I think any gaps that. Exist in terms of questions that 695 00:42:34,560 --> 00:42:37,800 people ask. It needs to be closed. 696 00:42:38,160 --> 00:42:40,280 I think some people are looking for. 697 00:42:42,640 --> 00:42:45,520 Kind of data points. That will convince them that 698 00:42:45,520 --> 00:42:49,400 this is in our vast interests and other persons are saying 699 00:42:49,400 --> 00:42:54,400 that there is no harm to greater economic partnerships, there is 700 00:42:54,400 --> 00:42:59,280 no greater harm to greater bilateral relations. 701 00:42:59,800 --> 00:43:05,360 We live in a world where countries all the time are 702 00:43:06,040 --> 00:43:12,360 engaged in these relationships and then being part of economic 703 00:43:12,360 --> 00:43:16,920 communities and CARICOM is a relationship that we've been in 704 00:43:16,920 --> 00:43:20,880 for a number of years. And I believe that when we 705 00:43:20,880 --> 00:43:26,800 assess whether or not it brings value, the answer will be yes. 706 00:43:27,080 --> 00:43:30,320 I don't think that there are points made to say that the 707 00:43:30,840 --> 00:43:35,880 relationship with CARICOM will take away or diminish anything 708 00:43:35,880 --> 00:43:40,800 that Bermuda is trying to progress or it's not in our best 709 00:43:40,800 --> 00:43:43,520 interest. What I would say is when Trump 710 00:43:44,840 --> 00:43:49,000 made a determination that he was going to tax all Chinese ships 711 00:43:49,320 --> 00:43:55,400 and that was going to have a very negative impact on trade to 712 00:43:55,400 --> 00:43:59,120 Bermuda and the affordability of goods and trend Bermuda. 713 00:43:59,520 --> 00:44:04,360 I know that the Caribbean community came together to lobby 714 00:44:04,360 --> 00:44:07,280 the US government and that decision was ultimately first. 715 00:44:07,880 --> 00:44:12,680 I know that when they are talking about matters on a 716 00:44:12,680 --> 00:44:17,840 global stage, Bermuda sits as a subsidiary to the United 717 00:44:17,840 --> 00:44:19,800 Kingdom. But if you can have Caribbean 718 00:44:19,800 --> 00:44:24,640 countries that sit independently lobbying on your behalf who can 719 00:44:24,640 --> 00:44:27,720 all who also have strong relationships with South 720 00:44:27,720 --> 00:44:31,880 American countries and countries of the African Union, then you 721 00:44:31,880 --> 00:44:35,960 go into a meeting with advocacy with greater levels of support. 722 00:44:35,960 --> 00:44:41,960 And so there is these factors and considerations that may have 723 00:44:41,960 --> 00:44:45,600 not been placed in the report, but me working in this 724 00:44:45,600 --> 00:44:48,880 particular space and understanding it, I do know and 725 00:44:48,880 --> 00:44:54,360 appreciate oh meaningful it is to have strong relationships 726 00:44:54,360 --> 00:44:58,160 with other countries you're you're talking to a. 727 00:44:58,160 --> 00:45:02,960 Brit who was totally opposed to Brexit because I can see the 728 00:45:02,960 --> 00:45:06,280 advantages of being part of a, of a, of a bigger economy and 729 00:45:06,280 --> 00:45:10,200 you know, it's cost 3 or 4% of the UKSGDPI can see that. 730 00:45:10,320 --> 00:45:12,080 But those are very clear benefits. 731 00:45:12,400 --> 00:45:16,960 Can you give me one or two very clear benefits of joining 732 00:45:16,960 --> 00:45:19,920 CARICOM when you mentioned a couple of others are they're 733 00:45:19,920 --> 00:45:25,480 kind of not, they're not so tangible, tangible benefits of 734 00:45:25,480 --> 00:45:31,400 joining CARICOM and so. When we, when we look at it, the 735 00:45:32,200 --> 00:45:37,200 expansion of services of Bermuda farms into the Caribbean region 736 00:45:37,200 --> 00:45:40,200 in a, in a meaningful way throughout the entire Caribbean, 737 00:45:40,200 --> 00:45:43,480 that's a, that's certainly a benefit. 738 00:45:43,480 --> 00:45:46,520 Then we start to look at free movement of capital and then we 739 00:45:46,520 --> 00:45:50,600 start to look at free movement of, of services and the free 740 00:45:50,600 --> 00:45:54,080 movement of goods. The other one not we can get 741 00:45:54,880 --> 00:45:59,320 proper trade agreements with CARICOM Contras that actually 742 00:45:59,960 --> 00:46:06,120 produce goods to reduce some of the cost of living in Bermuda. 743 00:46:06,160 --> 00:46:12,240 That's extremely important if we are able to secure capital at a 744 00:46:12,240 --> 00:46:16,200 more affordable rate. For if we have large industrial 745 00:46:16,200 --> 00:46:19,760 projects, that is of benefit to Bermuda as well. 746 00:46:20,000 --> 00:46:22,840 It provides us with greater levels of options when we are 747 00:46:22,840 --> 00:46:26,560 seeking institutional financing for large infrastructure 748 00:46:26,560 --> 00:46:30,080 projects, whether it be us building a new bridge or us 749 00:46:30,080 --> 00:46:35,560 redeveloping times B. So if. 750 00:46:36,280 --> 00:46:40,320 Financial services available to members of CARICOM through 751 00:46:40,360 --> 00:46:43,120 international organisations and we're able to take advantage of 752 00:46:43,120 --> 00:46:46,120 that. That is a plus and a benefit to 753 00:46:46,160 --> 00:46:48,200 Bermuda. If we're able to have direct 754 00:46:48,200 --> 00:46:54,200 trade with Caribbean countries such as Guyana for food 755 00:46:54,200 --> 00:46:57,320 products, that's a positive as well. 756 00:46:57,600 --> 00:47:02,680 And so when we look at it, we can look at our entire economy 757 00:47:02,680 --> 00:47:07,480 and say where do we have gaps? We currently have more jobs in 758 00:47:07,480 --> 00:47:09,400 permuted than naval body permutants. 759 00:47:10,280 --> 00:47:14,360 Is there a gap as it pertains to the skilled labour that required 760 00:47:14,360 --> 00:47:16,960 to power our society? If the answer is yes, can we 761 00:47:17,240 --> 00:47:21,120 work with our Caribbean counterparts to fill some of our 762 00:47:21,120 --> 00:47:24,280 labour needs and and the gaps that we have? 763 00:47:25,000 --> 00:47:27,000 So the answer is, is yes to that as well. 764 00:47:27,040 --> 00:47:31,480 So there are definitely benefits, but it's about an 765 00:47:31,480 --> 00:47:36,080 evolution of a relationship. We started out over 2 decades 766 00:47:36,080 --> 00:47:40,280 ago as associate members. Do we remain associate members 767 00:47:40,800 --> 00:47:44,560 forever or do we make the progressive step to evolve the 768 00:47:44,560 --> 00:47:48,280 relationship that we've already been in for a period of time? 769 00:47:48,640 --> 00:47:51,760 I think it's just natural as a natural step in Bermuda's 770 00:47:51,760 --> 00:47:56,000 evolution. There's been calls for a 771 00:47:56,000 --> 00:48:01,560 referendum. Is it OK the MPs can decide this 772 00:48:01,560 --> 00:48:04,360 in the House of Assembly or should there be a referendum in 773 00:48:04,360 --> 00:48:07,120 your opinion? I think I think it's it's. 774 00:48:07,120 --> 00:48:12,360 A decision that certainly Parliament has the ability to 775 00:48:12,600 --> 00:48:16,680 decide upon. When we joined up as associate 776 00:48:16,680 --> 00:48:21,200 members some years ago, there was a conversation here and then 777 00:48:21,640 --> 00:48:25,560 we as a party made it clear that we wanted to move forward with 778 00:48:25,560 --> 00:48:28,840 greater Caribbean relationships. I think when we look at all the 779 00:48:28,880 --> 00:48:33,160 other Caribbean organizations that we're a part, a part of, it 780 00:48:33,160 --> 00:48:37,440 is not done through referendum. All the technical associations, 781 00:48:37,440 --> 00:48:44,200 all the trade associations, we have strong relationships with 782 00:48:44,240 --> 00:48:48,560 the Caribbean community already. I think a referendum at the 783 00:48:48,560 --> 00:48:51,360 time, it would have been a decision whether or not we 784 00:48:51,360 --> 00:48:53,720 become associate members, But if we're talking about just 785 00:48:53,720 --> 00:48:56,320 progressing the membership of an organization that you're already 786 00:48:56,320 --> 00:48:59,880 associated with, I'm not sure if a referendum is actually 787 00:48:59,880 --> 00:49:03,560 required. You've been very generous with 788 00:49:03,560 --> 00:49:05,520 your time. There is so much more I could 789 00:49:05,520 --> 00:49:07,880 talk to you about. We really haven't touched on. 790 00:49:07,880 --> 00:49:10,720 Maybe we do another interview at another time. 791 00:49:10,720 --> 00:49:14,040 But my last question, you've got a games day coming. 792 00:49:14,040 --> 00:49:16,520 Tell me about it. Most definitely answer. 793 00:49:16,520 --> 00:49:21,240 We've had a campaign committee and the team said, you know 794 00:49:21,240 --> 00:49:23,560 what, it would be nice if we just got together in a social 795 00:49:23,560 --> 00:49:28,640 environment and persons actually saw the lighter side of you. 796 00:49:28,640 --> 00:49:31,280 And then you'll be able to engage and interact with people 797 00:49:31,280 --> 00:49:33,760 one-on-one and answer whatever questions they may have. 798 00:49:34,160 --> 00:49:35,920 And so they said we should have a games night. 799 00:49:35,920 --> 00:49:39,520 And so they kind of evolved into an entire games day. 800 00:49:39,520 --> 00:49:42,080 And so we've all seen the numbers and the entire community 801 00:49:42,400 --> 00:49:45,680 to come and just have a day full of fun. 802 00:49:46,480 --> 00:49:49,680 Tommy, Tommy just. Remind our our our audience when 803 00:49:49,680 --> 00:49:52,120 and where it is so the games they will take. 804 00:49:52,120 --> 00:49:57,760 Place on Sunday and that will be from 3:00 to 8:00 at Cedar 805 00:49:57,760 --> 00:50:01,000 Bridge Academy and it's free. To enter, you just turn up. 806 00:50:01,400 --> 00:50:04,520 Yeah, just turn up. And and enjoy the day it would 807 00:50:04,520 --> 00:50:07,520 be, I might come down, there will be games being played, 808 00:50:07,520 --> 00:50:10,680 camaraderie. And so it's just a welcoming 809 00:50:10,680 --> 00:50:13,520 environment where person can come, they can ask questions 810 00:50:13,520 --> 00:50:17,800 about the future of Bermuda, they can ask questions about my 811 00:50:17,800 --> 00:50:22,200 decision making as pertains to moving forward with being the 812 00:50:22,200 --> 00:50:25,040 leader of the Progressive Labour Party, get a better 813 00:50:25,040 --> 00:50:29,320 understanding of where I stand on a number of issues and also 814 00:50:29,320 --> 00:50:32,800 meet members of the team. Because again, this is not just 815 00:50:32,800 --> 00:50:35,480 about one man as of what else working collectively together. 816 00:50:35,480 --> 00:50:37,520 And you will see that there is a strong team within the 817 00:50:37,520 --> 00:50:42,600 Progressive Labour Party that supports the notion of Jason 818 00:50:42,600 --> 00:50:46,000 Abboud being the next leader. I might pop down on Sunday. 819 00:50:46,000 --> 00:50:48,280 Afternoon myself, you're certainly welcome to do. 820 00:50:48,280 --> 00:50:51,200 So thank you for sparing. So much time, it's greatly 821 00:50:51,200 --> 00:50:54,400 appreciated. Maybe at the end of October you 822 00:50:54,400 --> 00:50:57,600 can give me another interview as leader of the PLP and Premier. 823 00:50:58,240 --> 00:50:59,360 I'll be delighted to. Do so. 824 00:51:01,160 --> 00:51:02,240 All right. Thanks very much. 825 00:51:02,240 --> 00:51:02,920 Have a good day.