Jubilant scenes on Court Street marked the PLP's historic sweep into power -- with the winning party's MPs promising the "best Government ever''.

Thousands of supporters packed into the street to hear the victory speech of Premier-in-waiting Jennifer Smith.

But the other senior members of the new Government refused to be swept away on the huge tide of emotion, promising to "listen and care for the people''.

Alex Scott, in line to become Bermuda's next Home Affairs Minister, even had words of comfort for the ousted United Bermuda Party and Pamela Gordon.

Mr. Scott, who faced a barrage of criticism for claiming the UBP was too close to drug traffickers to crack major crime, said he sympathised with the UBP as they reflected on their loss.

"We have been there,'' he said. "We have lost on many occasions. What I say to the UBP is that they have a very important role to play.

"I say it in no way trying to patronise them. A strong Opposition makes a strong Government and puts their party in a strong position to some day return to prominence in politics in Bermuda. Of course, I hope that's a long, long way in the future.'' Mr. Scott said it was "premature'' to start touting himself for the job of Home Affairs and Public Safety Minister.

"I am going to serve in any capacity in which the leader feels I can make a contribution.'' David Allen, primed to become Tourism Minister, said Bermudians had ousted the world's second longest-serving Government, behind Fidel Castro's Cuba.

PLP celebrates its `green revolution' He said: "Tonight, after 35 years of our party's existence, there has been a green revolution that has swept Bermuda and swept the PLP into power.

"This must be the sweetest victory for any Government anywhere at any time.

We have seen the fall of one of the longest-serving Governments in the world.

"Only Fidel Castro has been in power longer. This is a turning point after 389 years of Bermuda's history.

"It's a watershed because the same people and their appointees have controlled Bermuda since 1609.'' Elsewhere around the Progressive Labour Party's Alaska Hall headquarters, new Government MPs were revelling in the hysteria and celebrations of the enormous crowd.

Deafening cheers rang through Hamilton when Warwick West winners Dr. Ewart Brown and Elvin James, who removed veteran MP Quinton Edness, arrived to join the party.

And Lois Browne Evans, the former Opposition Leader who is the only remaining PLP MP from its first General Election campaign in 1963, thanked God she was alive to see her party's first ever win.

Mrs. Browne Evans, 71, wiped back tears as she was congratulated amid the Court Street crowd.

She thanked the PLP's founding fathers, saying: "Thank God I have lived to see this day. We know now, for the first time ever, that there will be a PLP Government.

"And I can promise that we will govern with all of Bermuda in mind.'' Dale Butler, who turned Irving Pearman's old UBP seat in Warwick West into a full PLP constituency, said: "Bermuda will change in many ways now.

"It will change with a real commitment to our own people and our own self-worth because we believe in our own people.'' New Government MPs Reginald Burrows, Stanley Morton, Ottiwell Simmons and Nelson Bascome, in line to become Sports Minister, all promised Bermuda's best ever Government.

Mr. Burrows, who held his Southampton East seat, said: "The Bermudian people have finally decided that they want to give the PLP a chance.

"We have toiled hard in the fields and now they know we are capable and they can depend on us to provide them with the best Government they have ever had.'' Pembroke East Central MP Mr. Morton added: "I have been in politics for 30 years and I always hoped we would win one day.

"I never gave up my faith. We have all been tenacious and steadfast.'' Former BIU leader Mr. Simmons, who became the PLP's Shadow Environment Minister after the death of Leon (Jimmy) Williams, said Bermudians had spoken "loud and clear''.

"The UBP, in spite of all its negativity, was unable to persuade people as it has in the past with false promises,'' he said.

"Now, as the Government, we have been sent our own message. We must listen and we must care for the people. This is something that we have already pledged.'' Mr. Bascome said: "Bermudians have matured. They came to recognise that it was time to give something to their own country and this victory goes down in the history books for our ancestors.'' Stanley Lowe, Deputy Speaker during the last UBP Government, said he was now ready to take over the Speaker's chair in the House of Assembly.

"I'm not going to count my chickens before they hatch,'' he said. "Whether I become Speaker is up to all my colleagues in Parliament.

"But if it's offered, I will accept graciously.'' He said Bermuda was "not going to start falling apart'' now that the PLP was forming a Government.