Voters will decide tomorrow whether the country should continue on the path to a "new Bermuda" or embrace a "new" United Bermuda Party's ambitions for the country.

But comparing the two parties' offerings by analysing their manifestos is a tricky business because their approaches are so radically different.

The ruling party, which is running on its record, has produced a platform which is more of a report card than anything else. The document essentially promises to continue or complete projects that were ongoing at the end of its first term, if re-elected.

Thematically, the document tells its readers that the Government has performed well, kept its promises so far and "the best is yet to come".

It makes much of the fact that the economy has performed well and claims that Bermuda is a more democratic place as a result of PLP policies.

Their opponents seem to have bought into the idea that a new Bermuda must be structured but have carefully built into their platform initiatives which reflect some of their repeated criticisms of the first PLP government, and have come up with specific proposals to address critical issues like housing, tourism, economic empowerment and crime. And while the Opposition has embraced some of the PLP's initiatives, some distinct policy differences can be found in those and other areas.

The UBP has also focused on good government based on shared core values. Here are some comparison highlights:

Sustainable Development and environmental issues

Here the government side makes some strong commitments - with promises to appoint a sustainable development forum and come up with an energy plan which takes account of renewable sources of energy, take additional measures to protect endangered species and follow up on a review of arable land.

Its plans to integrate environmental considerations into government decision making and complete a White Paper on Marine Resources are shared by the UBP. And while the Government wants to promote a "government wide understanding of sustainable development principles", the UBP says it will require environmental impact assessments for all major development projects, enforce stronger laws against littering, illegal dumping and noise pollution and improve environmental education.

Some of the measures reflect recommendations of the Biodiversity Report released last year.

And the UBP uses what it sees as a "shameful" bases handover deal as the focal point of its environmental platform.

Affordable Housing

On the face of it the UBP scores major points with some very specific platform proposals to address this burning national issue, including proposals for 100 additional units of affordable housing for rent an incentive programme for private construction of affordable housing. The UBP plans to work with financial institutions to develop more accessible mortgages for housing sales, the aim being to develop four percent mortgages and rent-to-buy schemes.

The Government side spends much of the space in its housing section on short descriptions of the Ministry of Housing's main responsibilities. While it trumpets the fact that outstanding debts owed the Housing Corporation have been reduced considerably, the section says nothing about how it will make a dent in the affordable housing crisis.

Health

The incumbents want to establish a national Health Council which will "spearhead a new approach to health care", restructure parish rest homes and set up a rehabilitation centre at the hospital.

It will also table its policy on asbestos abatement if elected again.

But the Opposition focuses on initiatives aimed at lowering health care costs and improving quality - with a specific emphasis on the needs of seniors.

Crime

The UBP is supporting Alternatives to Incarceration (ATI) but wants to make it better. The party also wants to improve crime prevention and detection with better use of resources, more Police officers on the streets and better training in evidence gathering.

It distinguishes itself from the PLP with proposals to go back to a non-political Attorney General, and introduce more hard-line policies to act as a deterrent to crime in the first place.

Some of the Opposition's more radical proposals include replacing a jury with a three-judge panel for serious cases under certain circumstances and plans to "examine" a youth curfew.

Tourism

The Government side leans heavily on the late Tourism Minister David Allen's achievements such as the hotel concessions act, the African Diaspora Heritage Trail and the cruise ship policy. But it says nothing about the future except "the PLP will not abdicate responsibility for our all important tourism sector and we will continue to work with industry partners to make sure that tourism works for everyone in Bermuda". And it reaffirms its commitment to the Bermuda Alliance for Tourism.

The UBP feels that tourism is best left to an autonomous Tourism Authority.