Tuesday's election may be more important than the abolition of slavery.

Opposition leader Mr. Frederick Wade made the dramatic claim last night to more than 250 of the party faithful.

He told them the election would see a Progressive Labour Party grab the reins of the power. And it would be an emancipation for both blacks and whites.

"We believe the PLP provides the only hope for Bermuda to get the two races together. We will free our people,'' he cried out to loud applause at Southampton Glebe School.

Mr. Wade told the rally whites would be released from the fear of joining the PLP once the party swept to victory. "From our canvassing we know the white people in Bermuda who would like to come and join us here on the platform.'' Mr. Wade said last Saturday he was breakfasting with a white couple with three children. The question of the husband's possible candidacy with the PLP was discussed.

"After three hours of agonising discussion we decided it best for his family if he did not join us. It would have destroyed his family, lost him his job and his mortgage.'' Mr. Wade added: "Bermudians are fearful and afraid. Blacks and whites are afraid.'' He urged his supporters to vote for their conscience, heart, and financial security.

It was standing room only at the school as Mr. Wade spoke, despite the heavy rain. Many people had to listen outside. Earlier they heard seven party candidates give speeches.

Southampton East's Mr. Stanley Lowe, put forward by the PLP as their speaker-in-waiting at the House of Assembly, focussed on constituency concerns.

He pledged PLP action on street lighting, roads, sidewalks, drugs, community interaction, trash collection, jobs, economic advise, and youth activities.

Deputy Opposition leader Mr. Walter Roberts drew encouragement from "so many beautiful faces'' before him.

But it was futile to back the PLP and stay away from the polling booths on Tuesday. It was critical to come out and vote -- and do so early, he said.

Southampton West candidate Mr. Michael Scott told the meeting change was long overdue. "Bermuda is indeed poised for a momentous change in social and political affairs.'' Mr. Scott said the United Bermuda Party had exposed itself in his constituency by the withdrawal of the Hon. Ralph Marshall.

And he and his running mate Mr. Terry Lister intended to take full advantage.

Mr. Lister said he was running for the economy, education, and basic Christian values.

He was also running against the UBP's broken promises, he added.

Southampton East's Mr. Reginald Burrows turned the spotlight on the US Base issue. He believed the Base would close, and Bermuda had to prepare its people to run it.

Warwick West candidate Dr. Ewart Brown vowed the PLP would boost the health service.

"We will bring the doctors to the people,'' he said.

Shadow Finance Minister Mr. Eugene Cox, standing in Sandys North, described the UBP as a dying dinosaur. "Let's bury it,'' he said.

OCTOBER 1993 ELECTION