Christmas cards to voters across the Island from Premier Ewart Brown cost the taxpayer about 55 cents per card with no additional cost for shipping.

Dr. Brown's press secretary Glenn Jones said the Cabinet Office is in the process of sending out around 42,000 holiday cards on behalf of the Premier and his wife, Wanda Henton Brown.

The greeting features a colour photo of Dr. and Mrs. Brown.

Last week, a UBP spokesman said the cards were wasteful and "an expensive taxpayer-funded exercise in political imaging".

Deliveries are still being made Island-wide.

Mr. Jones said in a statement: "Bermuda Press is charging the taxpayer about 55 cents per holiday card. Bermuda Press and The Royal Gazette are sister companies under the Bermuda Press Holdings parent name.

"Additional bids for this printing job were not sought because it was expected Bermuda Press could complete the job on time and within estimate. The move is also consistent with the Government's 'Buy Bermuda' support."

He continued: "There is no additional cost to the taxpayer for postage, except for the small amount of cards sent overseas. There is no additional cost for the photography because the Government has photographers and graphic designers on staff.

"Producing holiday greeting cards for the Premier's office has long been a Cabinet Office/Department of Communication and Information responsibility."

While the Opposition agreed with the sentiment, it disagreed with the decision.

Said a UBP spokesman: "We appreciate the tradition of Christmas card giving because it helps people stay in touch in an all too busy world.

"But this week's Christmas card from the Premier to registered voters is not really about that. We see it as an expensive taxpayer-funded exercise in political imaging and one more sign that Government does not understand the meaning and importance of economic leadership."

The spokesman said at a time when Government should be using all opportunities to publicly demonstrate prudent and responsible financial management, it continues to spend without regard for economic realities.

"Politics trumps all. We would have preferred to see the $20,000 donated to a charity that could use the money to bring cheer and support to the needy, the jobless, the infirm or to provide Christmas groceries to families in need.

"Now that would be leadership and taxpayer money better spent."