Bermuda needs to be saved from the anarchist, backbencher Dale Butler said yesterday in a speech laced with criticism at the leadership of his party.

But he also offered a number of ideas on involving a broader section of Bermudians in decision-making, education, crime and drugs.

And he called on Government to live up to its promises and educate people about independence, cut waste and come up with a program for developing national pride.

But he also called for more respect to be shown parliamentarians and senior citizens and real progress to be made on removing wealth disparities.

Young people and senior citizens should be invited to sit on Government boards to focus on specific problem areas such as bike thefts and the decline of the Island's clubs, he said. And foreign consultants should head for the history books in favour of local talent, said the ruling party MP.

"I would cut out all of these consultants and use Bermudians," he said. "After all we do live here and we are keen to resolve all problems, and we can tell everyone how to do it better. Why not give Bermudians a chance to use that knowledge to make this a better country. The extra savings would go toward scholarships.

In what amounted to a one man election manifesto, Mr. Butler briefly recounted his career as a writer and local book publisher before turning to how the ruling Progressive Labour Party (PLP) had failed to fulfil its own agenda during its first term in office.

"If re-elected I will do lots of travelling, first class in my blue Toyota up and down the Island working on the drug problem, motivating our youth, inspiring our teachers, acknowledging our seniors, uplifting those without hope, working to get our young men off the wall, developing programmes for raising our boys, dealing with crime and tackling drugs with a comprehensive strategy, working hard to take back the country from the anarchist," Mr. Butler said at a dinner held in his honour at Fourways Inn.

Mr. Butler recalled joining the PLP at the age of 16 and being impressed by the party's "commitment to put others first" and the determination of its members to make sure the party succeeded.

He said he protested the "Kangaroo Court" which expelled five PLP MPs in the 1980s and "stood alone" when the party changed its constitution last year to guarantee its leader, Jennifer Smith, a four year term.

"We need a government that knows what it is to put others first," he continued. "The road to the future is paved. It is paved with good intentions but we must make sure that the driver has a map, adheres to the rules, can work with the passengers and has a vision for what needs to be done."

In its fours years in office, Government should have built low cost housing at Morgan's Point and Tudor Hill, he said.

And he advocated using a "big stick" approach to solving the Island's crime and drug problems, in addition to rehabilitation.

"Given our current troubles on the Island we have to take a big stick and act because of the senseless behaviour of a minority," he said. "So I believe that we have to bring out the full force of the Police and Regiment and take back our country. We have to tackle crime and violence and make Bermuda safe again or anarchy will rule. We have to make that decision now and not later so you need to stand with me now ladies and gentlemen and take this country back. Yes heads will be cracked and doors kicked in but what is the alternative You can ask a crocodile nicely to let go of your leg and he will after he has swallowed it."

He questioned why the drug problem had not been solved given the Island's small size.

"Is the drug economy putting so much money into Bermuda that it is now a third industry worth keeping ? I hope not."

He said crime victims should be compensated, prisoners should be made to work and early release for good behaviour abandoned.

On education the former headmaster said that teachers were given too much leave and the resulting absences only led to a decline in discipline and school morale.

In his closing remarks, Mr. Butler said that he was not criticising the PLP but merely recalling what had already been part of the "PLP Bible".

"They told me these things and inculcated them in me," he said. "The hierarchy needs a reminder, a conscience, and if they do not listen inside, they will hear it on the outside because I will continue to tell it like it is."