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OBA’s Fahy On Minister, Cost Of Living & More “The Minister claims to ‘live your reality, but on a salary of $196,323 plus health care and a number of other perks like a Government car and seemingly unlimited travel, that statement is as hollow as it is offensive,” Shadow Home Affairs Minister Michael Fahy said. An OBA spokesperson said, “Shadow Homes Affair Minister Michael Fahy calls for action, not excuses, as Minister of Homes Affairs, Alexa Lightbourne, earns triple the median Bermudian salary while delivering no relief. “This coming as he blasts the Minister for what he calls a ‘masterclass in political deflection and empty rhetoric’ following her full-page newspaper ad addressing the cost-of-living crisis.” Mr Fahy saying the ad was “an insult to every Bermudian struggling to pay their bills,” calling out the Minister for performative empathy and policy paralysis disguised as progress. “The Minister claims to ‘live your reality, but on a salary of $196,323 plus health care and a number of other perks like a Government car and seemingly unlimited travel, that statement is as hollow as it is offensive. The median Bermuda income is approximately $70,000, so she does not share the same reality — she’s insulated from it.” The spokesperson said, “Mr Fahy accuses the Minister of deflecting responsibility by blaming vague ‘resistance to change’ rather than owning her Ministry’s slow progress.” Mr Fahy said, “The Minister blames invisible enemies for her own lack of results. Instead of delivering relief, she delivers excuses. Bermudians deserve competence, not creative writing.” The spokesperson said, “He also notes the Minister’s pause on energy reforms — described as a policy reset — was a thinly veiled admission of failure whilst also shifting blame onto her predecessors.” Mr Fahy adding, “You pause when you’ve lost control. This government’s energy policy is outdated because this Minister has failed to modernise it.” The spokesperson said, “Mr Fahy points to the Minister’s use of slogans such as ‘people-first policies’ and ‘fairness as a national value,’ noting the absence of any concrete measures to reduce costs.” Mr. Fahy said, “The ad was filled with nice phrases — but no numbers, no timelines, and no policies. Bermudians can’t pay their BELCO bills with buzzwords.” The spokesperson said, “The Shadow Minister says the Opposition stands for good governance, accountability, and measurable outcomes — not self-congratulations.” Mr. Fahy said, “Good governance means transparency, delivery, and responsibility. It means you don’t spend taxpayers’ money on self-praise when families are choosing between groceries and electricity.” Mr Fahy says the ad revealed a government out of ideas, out of urgency, and out of touch: “This is the luxury of delay from a Minister who can afford to wait. Ordinary Bermudians can’t. They need leadership that delivers, not language that distracts.” He concludes: “The Opposition reaffirms its commitment to restoring good governance, prioritising affordability, and delivering real, immediate relief for Bermudian households.”
