Bermuda is on the cusp of a national economic emergency, according to the United Bermuda Party.This afternoon Shadow Economic Minister Bob Richards said Government must reduce the cost of the civil service and debt levels.Mr Richards said: "We have witnessed a general deterioration in our economic strengths and contractions in key money -earning businesses."We are experiencing widespread joblessness and facing long-term unemployment. Whole sectors of the economy are in jeopardy. The situation is dire."Mr Richards, who has been called a doomsayer by the previous Government administration, said Bermuda would not be in the position it now is if he had been Finance Minister."I warned people about this," he said. "My mother used to say when people can't hear they have to feel, and now Bermudians are feeling [the impacts of the economy]."He suggested Ministers should take a ten to 15 percent pay cut as a way of showing leadership by example.“Over the past few weeks, we have seen the Government ask workers to agree to overtime pay bans to help get costs under control - to sacrifice for the greater good."We believe Government should not ask workers to lead the way in cost-cutting without first leading by example."In the Throne Speech Premier Paula Cox pledged to cut Government costs by $150 million.Mr Richards said the public should reject any Government plan that 'meets' its $150 million cutback by canceling or postponing capital projects that have not yet broken ground."If it is serious about curbing its spending habits, Government must show real reductions," he said.