The Bermuda Democratic Alliance made its debut Reply to the Throne Speech by criticising Government's failure to address the economy, crime and education.

Shawn Crockwell delivered the statement on behalf of Bermuda's newest political party — and while he pointed out a number of positive items he said the BDA was more concerned about what the Throne Speech didn't say.

"The fact that there is absolutely nothing in this Throne Speech to address our faltering economy with recommendations of how we will weather the storm is a glaring omission," said the former United Bermuda Party MP.

"Especially when we know that Bermudians are losing their jobs in the construction and hotel industries with more job losses projected to come.

"Why aren't there recommendations from Bermuda First in this document? Government received a 60-page report from a non-political body of business leaders in our community, the best of the best, constituted by Government and yet not one recommendation is in this Throne Speech."

Regarding education, Mr. Crockwell said Government had taken a bold step in commissioning the Hopkins Report, but he complained there was a lack of clarity with how its recommendations are being implemented.

"The Throne Speech says the pace of reform has been steady but no one seems to know what reform is taking place," he said.

Mr. Crockwell said a teacher friend had told him teachers have no idea what Government and/or the Ministry of Education are doing and any changes so far had not had any real impact in the classroom. However, he did praise the introduction of Portuguese lessons.

The lawyer did not reveal BDA's hand with regard to the addition of sexual orientation as a protected ground under the Human Rights Act, but he called for a "robust debate" on the subject.

"I applaud government for including in the Throne Speech its commitment to amend the Human Rights Act 1981. Certainly this debate is long overdue," he said.

"I was surprised that the Throne Speech did not specifically articulate the actual nature of that amendment leading once again to unnecessary confusion in the community on this issue.

"There has been uncertainty on this issue for too long and this was an opportunity for Government to once and for all be clear and decisive."

He pointed to a history of "waffling" on the topic, culminating with Premier's press secretary Arnold Minors saying this week that the act will definitely be changed to outlaw discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation.

On crime, Mr. Crockwell applauded Government for pledging a tougher approach on robberies, introducing electronic tagging and increasing the pool from which jurors can be selected.

But he continued: "I have to say Mr. Speaker that I was shocked that there is absolutely no mention of initiatives to combat gang-related and gun-related crime.

"This is the number one concern with the people of Bermuda and not one mention in this Throne Speech.

"Especially after the Premier brought a motion on this issue during the last meeting of the House before the summer recess and especially since Cabinet stated in July of this year that it was considering a raft of anti-gang measures to address this national crisis.

"The Premier stated: 'I am pleased to advise Honourable Members that Cabinet has already discussed these measures and in a preview of the Speech from the Throne for 2009 I can confirm that in the next session this Government will invite the Legislature to consider specific measures aimed at combating gangs in Bermuda.'

"Mr. Speaker, Bermuda cannot afford lip-service on this important issue. We need action and we need it now."

Mr. Crockwell concluded: "In the uncertain economic times that we live in, with violent crime threatening our way of life the people of Bermuda were looking to this Throne Speech for hope but instead they got more uncertainty and that is simply not good enough."