Premier Ewart Brown bid farewell to his Progressive Labour Party supporters on Saturday night, telling them: whether you like my style or not, it's been four years of execution and action.

Numerous tributes were paid to Dr. Brown at a lavish ceremony attended by about 550 people thought to have raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for the PLP.

And the outgoing Premier told the audience at Fairmont Southampton that despite all the criticism he believes he's fulfilled his early promise to move the Island forward.

"Early in my term I pledged to move Bermuda from agendas and ideas to execution and action," said Dr. Brown in a brief speech mainly thanking those close to him.

"While we may disagree on my style of leadership and may disagree on what was accomplished and what remains undone, without a doubt this has been four years of execution and action.

"Yet this has been four years of execution and action that wouldn't have been possible without so many of you, too many of you to mention tonight."

He paid thanks to critics as well as supporters, and praised the efforts of his predecessors including Dame Jennifer Smith and Alex Scott, both of whose tenures came to an end as Dr. Brown progressed towards his long-held dream of running the Country.

And he singled out wife Wanda Brown as his strongest backer; throughout the evening Mrs. Brown was repeatedly lauded for her role as Bermuda's "First Lady".

M.C. Rock Newman, a long-time friend of the Premier, had opened the event saying: "This is a love affair between a man and his country; a love affair between a wife and a husband, a husband and a wife.

"Ewart Brown I have known since 1970 when I attended Howard University as a country boy and I started to hear the first time on campus about the legend of Ewart Brown.

"I have been absolutely amazed with everything he's done since that time.

"A man who had so much to gain financially from staying abroad — he was a star abroad — the love of his country brought him home to serve his people.

"Dr. Brown has served his people in sometimes quite an aggressively hostile environment but serve his people he has.

"He's always kept his back straight, kept his walk quick, looked folks in the eye and told them how he felt."

Star entertainer at the $500-per-head reception was Gladys Knight, while other singers performed songs in honour of the Premier, including 'Simply The Best' and 'My Way'.

The event was part of the Premier's Farewell Gala Weekend which also included a beach party at Snorkel Park on Friday evening, a golf tournament on Saturday morning, church service at First Church of God in Pembroke, followed by platinum and gold dinner at the Premier's residence yesterday. A platinum sponsors' and celebrity brunch cruise takes place this morning.

Dr. Brown steps down as Premier at next month's PLP annual delegates' conference, to be replaced by either Deputy Premier Paula Cox, former Minister Terry Lister or former Minister Dale Butler.

l More pictures and reports, Pages 4 & 5.

lOpposition leader criticises gala event – Page 3