"WHEREAS certain individuals have been excluded from economic opportunity in Bermuda AND WHEREAS it is expedient to ensure that all Bermudians have the opportunity to be active participants in the economy irrespective of race . . ." ? The United Bermuda Party's Economic Empowerment Bill 2004

Bermuda is a country with limitless possibilities and untapped potential. Unfortunately, far too many of our people have the ability and the will, but lack the means to improve their economic status. Until we address this, Bermuda will only be a good country and never the great country that it can be.

We believe that Bermuda thrives when as a community we work together and suffers when we are divided. These values inspired the founding of the United Bermuda Party 40 years ago and continue to inspire our commitment to breaking down racial barriers.

The first United Bermuda Party Government desegregated schools because it was the right thing to do to create a better and more just society in Bermuda. They believed that children hold no hatred in their hearts, and must be taught to live in peace with each other. The United Bermuda Party introduced human rights legislation prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, ethnicity and gender and established the Human Rights Commission and Cure. We did these things, as a Party, because we believed and still believe that while you can't legislate what is in the hearts and minds of individuals, you can legislate against behaviour that is not in the best interest of our society.

These are just a few of the things that we have done to fulfil our vision of One Bermuda. Despite all our efforts and considerable progress, Bermuda continues to exist with blacks and whites divided. In the United Bermuda Party, we believe that we have a responsibility to break down racial barriers and assist in the reconciliation process. That is why we have created the new portfolio I now hold as Shadow Minister for Race Relations and Economic Opportunity. We recognise that this won't be easy, but we are willing to expose ourselves to the challenges of this issue rather than hiding from them. We believe that Bermuda's future success, and the future success of every Bermudian, depends on getting this right.

On December 4, the United Bermuda Party unveiled the first stage of our Economic Opportunity Plan, The Economic Empowerment Bill 2004. It is a plan that will move our dream of One Bermuda, with opportunity for all and special privilege for none, closer to reality. We have listened and believe that the time for action is now. We believe that rather than just talking about economic opportunity, we need to put forward substantive initiatives, and the Bill does just that.

The Economic Empowerment Bill serves four purposes:

1. Turns government's energies toward expanding economic opportunity for everyone. For too long the perception has been that opportunity in Bermuda is based on who you are and who you know than ability. Our plan commits government to directing no less than 20 percent or, roughly $60 million, of the $300 million total that it spends annually on goods and services, to small businesses. While this will not increase government spending overall, it represents a significant increase in the amount of government money directed toward small businesses. This will create new opportunities for those many businesses that have never had the chance to get business from government.

2. Breaks down barriers to opportunity. Our Empowerment Bill formally establishes a national policy on economic empowerment to promote economic unity, equal opportunity and fair access to Government contracts. It commits businesses that earn more than $5 million in government contracts participating in a government sponsored small business mentoring program and would commit government to providing essential training for small businesses, including how to bid on contracts. This will help small businesses help themselves by providing access to information and business contacts that will allow them to capitalise on new opportunities that will be created under the next United Bermuda Party government.

3. Expands small business access to capital. Too often, too many Bermudians have the will to succeed but lack the means. Our Economic Empowerment Bill facilitates both financing by local banking institutions and the brokering of venture capital for small businesses that have earned government contracts. No longer will small businesses have to live with the uncertainty that they won't be able to obtain appropriate financing when working on government projects.

4. Creates openness and accountability. Our Economic Empowerment Plan will GUARANTEE that the next United Bermuda Party government will not only talk the talk, but also walk the walk on increasing economic opportunity. Our plan commits the next United Bermuda Party government to reporting annually to Parliament and to the people of Bermuda on the progress of our Economic Empowerment Plan. This will insure that under the next United Bermuda Party government that a promise made will be a promise kept and that we are held accountable for our performance and progress on our commitment to expanding economic opportunity.

The United Bermuda Party's founding father, Sir Henry Tucker said it best, "we can only exist if we work together".

Our vision of broadening economic opportunity, expanding ownership of financial assets, the creation of new businesses and opportunities and helping new generations of Bermudians participate in the Bermudian dream will move our country in a new, more positive direction.

The issues of race and economic opportunity are not just for the benefit of black community. We believe that whites must play a role in and benefit from our vision as well. Expanding the economic pie and creating new forms of economic opportunity will benefit all of us and mean that more Bermudians will have an important stake in Bermuda's future.

In 2005 we will continue to unveil our Economic Opportunity Plan and work to bring all of our people together. I hope that each of you will join us in making our vision a reality. After all, our people deserve nothing less than One Bermuda, where success is achieved through unity and where success is shared by ALL.

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David Dodwell is the Shadow Minister for Race Rleations and Economic Opportunity