to the Budget Speech which he delivered on Wednesday.

We, the Progressive Labour Party believe it is time for Government to initiate a comprehensive spending review to reorder spending programmes to meet the Island's priorities. For this review to be successful, each spending programme of key government departments must be examined to determine whether it meets the public interest; whether it contributes to the achievement of the Government's objectives; whether it is the most effective way of achieving those objectives; and whether there is scope for improving efficiency and effectiveness.

Tax Review The PLP has stated successively in its Press statements and in past Budget Replies and Throne Speech Replies that it does not intend to introduce income tax and that one of its first priorities is to have a comprehensive review of the tax system. The UBP Government has moved some way towards adopting and following our advice and is in the process of carrying out a review using outside consultants. We approve of this approach.

The PLP considers that a taxation think-tank is critical as a means to review the best and most efficient means of raising revenue in Bermuda. Currently the system is askew. Before a consultative document is presented, there needs to be a thorough discussion with those who are likely to be most affected -- small businesses, retailers, hoteliers, the Chamber of Commerce and international business.

Conclusion The PLP has a rendezvous with destiny. Our cause has been the cause of our Bermudian men and women, our Bermudian young people. On this foundation we have defined our values, refined our political views. The economic planks of our Platform focus not just on material things but also on moral issues. The challenge in 1998 is to give a voice and a vote in favour of our fundamental PLP philosophy.

We pledge to tackle the tourism malaise with vigour, determined to turn back the tide and to reinvigorate this eroding pillar of our economy.

We pledge that there will be no compromise on the issue of jobs and training, to equip Bermudians so that they can have their rightful place in the labour force.

We pledge that we will foster a climate which provides opportunities for all segments of the community -- without fear or favour.

These are heartfelt pledges of commitment. These are simple points but reaffirm the soul of the Bermuda Progressive Labour Party. We want to speak to all those who are frustrated and to fulfil the aspirations of those who want a better life.

We are the Party of the New Age, the New Deal, the "Real Deal''.

We cannot have prosperity in isolation from a fair society.

We have listened to those who feel that they do not have affordable housing, or the chance to own their own homes.

We have listened to those who feel that they have been displaced in their own country.

We have listened to the local companies who believe that there is no level playing-field and that they are treated less favourably than others.

We have listened to the international business community who say that the costs of doing business in Bermuda is prohibitively expensive in comparison to other jurisdictions with whom Bermuda competes.

We have listened to hoteliers who say they feel that they are not getting a fair deal.

We have listened to teachers who feel that many of their concerns are not addressed as a priority but are treated as an after-thought, e.g. the need for a greater security presence to protect themselves and their students or for resource materials, meaningful training courses.

We have listened to the pleas of returning college graduates for jobs.

We have listened to the concerns of our senior citizens for adequate pensions.

We have listened to the concerns of the retailers who feel that their interests are being overlooked.

We have listened to the concerns of those who say that their interests have been sidelined and not mainstreamed.

We have listened to the concerns of all those who say that there is no fair competition.

We have had 30 years of UBP Government. There is now a yearning for a different method of doing things. We come with this Budget Reply to all those to whom we have listened and we give them our assurance that better will come.

Freedom with fairness -- that is the PLP thinking. Our plan is investment in people -- our human capital. We are not offering miracles but we have a real interest in doing right by our people, not just saying we will and then not delivering.

Let Bermuda and Bermudians know that we shall do what is right and necessary to ensure that we secure Bermuda's long-term economic future.

Failures produce lost leadership, obscures progress and weakens will. Today there is violence in the streets, a sense of hopelessness among our youth, concern and anxiety among our seniors. The growing menace in our society to personal safety, to life, to property is of mounting concern to any thinking person. We must strive for a society, which while never abandoning the needy, or forsaking the helpless, nurtures incentives and opportunity for the creative and the productive.

We need to be innovative and to do things differently.

We will not change the action until we change the thinking, and that will only happen when we change the government.