The United Bermuda Party has questioned whether a group of successful young entrepreneurs really prove Premier Ewart Brown is aiding the small businessmen who need help the most.

During his Leader's address at the Progressive Labour Party's conference on Wednesday night, the Premier brought onstage, Bermudian business people he said Government has helped empower.

But the Opposition has cast doubts over Dr. Brown's claim that the entrepreneurs' appearance would "put an end to the story that the only people who get Government contracts under this Government are my white friends".

Shadow Works Minister Patricia Gordon-Pamplin told a press conference: "What's the worth and value of the contracts that they are getting?"

She said the big winners of Government contracts are the likes of PLP MP Zane DeSilva, Dennis Correia and David Durham.

Shadow Finance Minister Bob Richards said of the smaller businessmen: "Not only are they not getting it, they are not getting a chance to get it.

"All Government contracts should be tendered publicly."

Mr. Richards and his predecessor as Shadow Finance Minister, Mrs. Gordon-Pamplin, also put forward a list of ideas to help the Island cope with the effects of the global economic downturn.

Dropping the "macho" approach to international business and eliminating non-essential spending were two of their suggestions.

Regarding international business, Mr. Richards said: "Today, under Premier Brown, we have an adversarial relationship. This relationship has soured.

"There's a macho approach that's been taken that's alienated most of the leaders of international business to Bermuda. They are not comfortable. It's shaken their belief in Bermuda.

"Their belief in Bermuda hasn't disappeared (but) it's increased the uncertainty."

Mr. Richards said problems included international business leaders' struggles to force meetings with the Premier.

Mrs. Gordon-Pamplin urged Finance Minister Paula Cox to impose a "concerted, disciplined effort to reduce spending, including an immediate cap on public service hiring".

She said under Ms Cox's leadership, Bermuda's budget deficit before borrowing has grown from $26 million to $131 million; national debt has mushroomed from $160 million to $456 million; and interest payments on debt have risen from $8 million a year to $21.5 million.

Mrs. Gordon-Pamplin also called for plans to ensure people remain employed, and preparations for social support programmes including Housing Assistance and Social Assistance, which she said saw major demand increases in the previous recession.

Mr. Richards urged Government to forge better links with Washington, claiming annual photo-ops in the corridors of Congress had not stopped Bermuda becoming a "punching bag" in the US election.

"Bermuda needs a deliberate, sustained and focused diplomatic effort to make sure that US politicians fully understand the contributions Bermuda makes and don't act against us as a tax haven," he said.