Television judge Glenda Hatchett urged parents to set the same standards bringing up their sons as they do for their daughters, in a vibrant performance at the Progressive Labour Party's annual banquet.

The American — whose show aims to help troubled young people get their lives back on track — attempted to inspire mothers and fathers in the audience to do exactly that for their children.

Speaking on Saturday night, less than a week after a report revealed more than half of Bermuda's young black males fail to get their secondary school certificates, Judge Hatchett asked: "Are we raising our sons to be the kind of men that we want our daughters to marry?

"Are we setting the same standards for our boys as we are for our daughters? What are we doing to invest in our children?

"Parents, have the courage to do what you know is right. Give them what they need to soar. Don't let them get away with things that you know they shouldn't be doing, because they will be the next generations to lead this strong party."

She said young people should be encouraged to take up professions such as doctors, lawyers, entrepreneurs and journalists.

"So much is at stake. Our children are all we have in which to build a new generation of men and women," she said,

"Whether you are Bermuda or whether you are Birmingham, it doesn't matter. We are all in this journey together. We are moving to raise Bermuda to a higher ground, to raise the world community to a higher ground."

Deputy Premier Paula Cox followed Judge Hatchett onto the stage at the Fairmont Southampton Princess, telling the audience of several hundred people: "We have to be the hero of our own story. We have to write a new story for the future for our children, for the future for this country."

Notable faces at the banquet included former United Bermuda Party MPs Wayne Furbert and Darius Tucker. Premier Ewart Brown joked that he no longer needed to court votes given his pledge to step down next October, while toasts were raised by new MP Michael Weeks and Nadine Browne-Evans, daughter of Dame Lois.

Dr. Brown also called a number of stalwarts onto the stage in recognition of their roles in helping the PLP win its first General Election 11 years ago. They were: Barbara Ball, Eugene Blakeney, Walter Brangman, Reginald Burrows, Gilbert Darrell, Arthur Hodgson, Stanly Morton, Ira Philip, Walter Roberts, Lionel Simmons, Ottiwell Simmons and Calvin Smith.