Opposition leader Grant Gibbons blasted the Throne Speech as having good intentions but ignoring the vital issues of housing, seniors and tourism.

And he accused the Progressive Labour Party of stealing UBP ideas from the last election such as providing a freedom of information bill.

Dr. Gibbons said the PLP had promised more open government before. But the last administration had a “wretched” record on secrecy, so time would tell if they were serious this time about being transparent with the public.

“This is the second time the Progressive Labour Party government has set off down the road to a new Bermuda,” said Dr. Gibbons.

“It's clear that the Throne Speech is paved with good intentions but it's a long laundry list - everything from an ombudsman to a cat's licensing bill.

“But in areas where the community is really looking for some detail and substance such as housing, seniors, tourism, it's very, very light.

“There is nothing in here about seniors' pensions they were supposed to be getting in August and clearly they have been waiting for some time.

“There is nothing about seniors' health care.

“There is nothing in the housing sector apart from some discussion about the collaborative effort, that talks about building a single house.

“These are issues the community is looking towards.

“We are disappointed to see nothing in there. There are a lot of nice words, a lot of good intentions but the substance and detail really doesn't come through in the speech.

“It is well intended but this has no clear plan ahead.

“There were obviously a lot of items that were carried over from last year's Throne Speech which Government didn't accomplish.”

Dr. Gibbons said the PLP commitment for a freedom of information bill “sounds like the UBP platform in the run-up to he last election” - as did the emphasis on community policing.

“I am pleased they have taken our suggestion for a freedom of information act, but I would like to see whether they will implement it or not.

“We are used to lots of suggestions from the PLP government and people are tired of talk and would like to see action, particularly on housing, seniors and tourism.

“They had a pretty wretched record on openness and transparency last time around, so we will need to see if they really mean it this time.

“There is no doubt in my mind that the issue of crime and safety was a key one in the run-up to the election, and I am not surprised that they recognised that.

“Some of the crime stuff is a repeat of what they had in the last Throne Speech about assault with weapons.”

Referring to the crackdown on bad driving, Dr. Gibbons said: “People are more concerned about violent crime and they seem to have taken a page out of our book on issues towards community policing.”