and declared: "It will lead the way to the next decade for Bermuda.'' And Mr. Wade challenged Bermudians to hold him to the Progressive Labour Party's promises.

But the long-awaited platform was instantly slammed by the UBP.

Premier the Hon. Sir John Swan raised the spectre of income tax as he questioned how the PLP would pay for its policies.

"I was rather stunned by the lack of new initiatives in the PLP's manifesto,'' he said.

He said Government had already acted on about half the proposals, and several others were in the UBP blueprint.

"If you really look at the document you will see that the other half are things that were in the 1989 manifesto.'' The lavishly illustrated 20-page platform was unveiled at a Press conference at Alaska Hall, the Opposition's headquarters.

It was attended by Shadow Ministers and other PLP candidates.

The platform focuses on six areas -- the economy, Bermudianisation, health and social services, tourism, education and the environment.

Mr. Wade hailed it as "a handbook for the future of Bermuda''.

He said one of the fresh initiatives was the PLP's proposal for the former Club Med.

Under it, the party plans to get the property up and running again.

It could involve leasing concessions for restaurants, shops and "entertainment facilities'', with St. George's standing to benefit most.

The platform also differs in other areas from the 1989 one. New policies and goals include: Achieving three percent annual growth in the economy; Encouraging more pension schemes at work; Compiling data to keep track of the economy; An unemployment insurance programme, to ensure all jobless people get benefits; Tourism awareness sessions in school curricula; Air charters to boost European tourism; A Code of Ethics for Cabinet Ministers; and Reducing seats in the House of Assembly to a maximum of 30.

The PLP also promises, as in previous elections, a crackdown on work permits.

But this year it puts forward a new "permanent residency'' idea.

This would provide "security of tenure'' to any long-term resident of Bermuda who has made a contribution to the Country.

The platform says the system would not be linked to Bermudian status or voting rights.

It adds: "This concept will be similar to the `green card' system in place in the United States.

"At the same time, a strictly enforced moratorium on the granting of Bermudian Status will be maintained, with a view to all `citizenship' issues being resolved when Bermuda ultimately decides on its future constitutional position.'' In addition, the PLP proposes to revamp the Government Employment Office.

This would make the office work more actively to help Bermudians find employment.

On the education front there are fresh initiatives as well.

These include lowering the school age to four and a pledge that all schools have equal facilities.

Said Mr. Wade: "We recognise that it is not enough simply to have good programmes and policies, it is also necessary to have a team of able people with skills, experience and the courage to carry out those programmes and policies.'' Mr. Wade said the party had put forward an extremely well qualified 36-strong team.

Eleven of the team were running for the first time.

"These people represent a new breed of PLP leaders who are today's leaders taking their rightful place in the management of Bermuda,'' he said.

Mr. Wade said there was also a lot of experience among the candidates.

The Premier was scathing in his snap reaction to the manifesto.

About 33 initiatives were already being acted on by Government, 11 more were in the UBP's manifesto, and the remainder were in the PLP's 1989 platform, said Sir John.

Sir John said the Opposition's expectation of three percent annual growth in the Gross Domestic Product was extravagant.

"A two percent growth is more realistic,'' he added. The UBP promised two percent growth in its platform, released earlier this month.

Sir John continued: "All the PLP are doing is giving away a ton of money and handouts, but they have no idea as to how the money is going to be raised except through progressive taxation.

"And what that means I am not sure -- except income tax.'' Sir John said there were no clues as to how the PLP would put its policies into place.

"They have missed the point as to how the document will work. They are giving away money at the risk of the Country becoming bankrupt.

"I had anticipated that they would have come up with something dynamic, but it is full of history -- which doesn't pay bills.

"It is a document of disappointment. They need to realise that Bermuda is changing, and no longer are the pennies falling into our laps.

"We have a lot more competition so we have to be smarter, and anticipate what will happen. The PLP have obviously missed that.'' He urged the public to compare Government's Blueprint with the PLP mandate.

OCTOBER 1993 ELECTION