Opposition leader Kim Swan yesterday called for both political parties to cast aside their differences over race and work together to combat the global economic downturn.

Mr. Swan opened a vigorous House of Assembly debate by complaining about Premier Ewart Brown's divisive racial rhetoric, which he said was taking the country backwards.

Dr. Brown and Progressive Labour Party MP Zane DeSilva then criticised The Royal Gazette's coverage of the Premier's controversial comments about white Bermudians during last week's House discussion.

Mr. DeSilva complained that what Dr. Brown had actually said was that if white Bermudians had voted in the US presidential election like they do in Bermuda they would have voted for John McCain rather than Barack Obama.

In fact, that is exactly what this newspaper reported Dr. Brown as saying.

Kicking off the Motion to Adjourn last night, Mr. Swan said: "What is it going to take during these perilous (economic) times?

"How can we come together? We need to move beyond the divisive rhetoric that has dominated the day on too many occasions.

"In the last seven days, we have seen some unfortunate examples of how comments polarise people. At the very top of the food chain, by comments made by no other than the leader of the country, that marginalised the entire community.

"There's a glorious opportunity for us to lead this country forward in a spirit of oneness. Ultimately, we have been painted with different colours, but inside we all have the same make-up.

"The challenge we have as leaders ... is to encourage both our black brothers and white brothers to come to the table in recognition and understanding."

Mr. Swan said people needed faith to move forward in unity, adding: "I believe that many people are in that place but they are not going to get beyond that place if the leaders of this country are not going to take them.

"It's going to take leadership that's comfortable enough in its own skin to move past some of the pain." He said it was no wonder Bermuda had social problems because the leaders are "going out of their way to divide us".

Mr. Swan added: "I'm calling on the Government and my colleagues as well ... if race relations need to improve ... I'm putting the challenge to the Premier today to lead the country in a more righteous way. Stop taking us backward and take us forward in a right way."

The Royal Gazette's coverage of Dr. Brown's comments last week used the headline: "White Bermudians wouldn't have voted for Obama, claims Premier."

The opening paragraph of the article stated: "Premier Ewart Brown claimed on Friday that if white Bermudians had voted in the US presidential election like they vote in Bermuda they would have plumped for John McCain rather than Barack Obama."

Both the headline and the opening paragraph were based on Dr. Brown's remark: "If you looked at the voting patterns in Bermuda, which all vote in lines, if whites in Bermuda were to vote in the US using the same lines, they would have voted for the other man."

During last night's debate, the Premier said: "This week The Royal Gazette and the Opposition have again combined their efforts against the PLP through a clear distortion of words I spoke in this House last week.

"When I say to you: 'If I had wings I would fly,' I have not truly said I would or I could fly.

"The key point in that sentence is 'if'. The same way that if they (white Bermudians) vote in the election along the same lines as they do in Bermuda."

Dr. Brown then pointed to the comments made by Shadow Education Minister Grant Gibbons and a letter to the editor by Senator Michael Dunkley and asking how they and this newspaper could have accepted the Gazette's headline.

He said: "That's what's sad and pathetic. We will look forward to when the majority of white Bermudians defy the stereotype and do not vote in a block for the UBP. This PLP believes that day will come."

Mr. DeSilva said: "The record has shown that The Royal Gazette headline last week was mischief-making at its worst. You talk about taking something out of context. Oh my gracious!

"What the Premier said was this: 'Now that Obama had won there were many who jumped on the bandwagon. He went on to say if white Bermudians now vote in America and if they voted in the same way they would have voted McCain.

"The Royal Gazette however has a different interpretation on that situation."

Mr. DeSilva did not explain why he thought the headline was not a fair reflection of the remark.

He also complained that this newspaper ran a story about US Congressman Butterfield on page three instead of the front page.

On race, Mr. DeSilva criticised whites for not joining black clubs and failing to attend National Heroes Day celebrations, and said he had been ostracised by whites because he joined the PLP.

Shadow Minister of Legislative and Public Administration John Barritt also spoke, calling for an end of stereotyping and claiming people have far more on their minds than race — such as paying next month's rent.

Mr. Barritt said: "You know what's on people's minds today is the economy and those concerns come from both races. There are young people to who are more interested in the issues and your position on the issues. That's the type of language we need to employ."

PLP backbencher Wayne Perinchief applauded Mr. Swan's suggestion of bipartisanship; while Patricia Gordon-Pamplin of the UBP stressed the need to work together as Bermudian people.