Given another shot at power the PLP will want to hit the ground running in its third term to keep the momentum for change going.

Free Bermuda College education should be relatively easy to administer as should free bus and ferry transport, giving the new Government a feel-good factor.

But the PLP programme includes plenty of pricey promises and some real number crunching will need to be done for big ticket items such as free day-care for Bermudian families, comprehensive health care and insurance for seniors and free dental coverage for seniors and the needy.

A quicker pace on housing is essential with action on the promised 500 interest-free loans for mortgage down-payments.

An expansion of the geared-to-income rental scheme will surely take time to work through while much is riding on the pledge to get better mortgage deals for young people — the PLP has pledged to work with banks.

Although not mentioned explicitly in its manifesto a key to the tone of the new Government will be its stance on the Workforce Equity Act — with Wayne Perinchief, who has led the bill so far, signalling last night there would be no climbdown on a bill which will force companies to employ black Bermudians in proportion to their numbers in the workforce.

Action on education will be demanded so better and credible graduation figures will be something the new Government will be judged on.

Crime is a big issue with voters keen to hear about the anti-gang initiative, the expansion of the Regiment to help with policing and new ways to maintain Police staffing levels.

Chairman David Burt said: "The Progressive Labour Party will begin work implementing the core tenets of our platform. We will take care of that hard-working Bermudian mother of four who needs to be relieved of the burden of paying for child care.

"We will take care of that senior in Bermuda who, after a lifetime of hard work, has to worry about her medical bills. And we will make sure that each and every Bermudian has an opportunity to succeed in Bermuda's bustling economy."

Other key pledges include:

• Urgent care clinics, boost health and exercise for children, introduce wellness models for the community.

• Target of 10,000 hotel beds, staff housing for new hotels, partnering with hoteliers to entice visitors to Bermuda.

• Zero duty for emission-free cars, mandatory emissions standards, a third stream for Tynes Bay to help power homes.

• Expansion of the economic empowerment zone, tax incentives for entities that promote economic mobility for Bermudians.

• Tax concessions to provide greater incentives for local businesses, consider the establishment of a monopolies commission.