But Bermuda's two main political parties remain shackled to the bitter imagery of the past.

Opponents see the United Bermuda Party as home to whites, and blacks on the make. And they point to large-pocketed businessmen and Front Street merchants as the puppeteers of the UBP show.

The Progressive Labour Party, meanwhile, is viewed as an exclusive home to blacks. It is the party some fear will strike like an avenging angel against those branded enemies.

Yesterday the Opposition's race relations spokesman accepted the party had an image problem.

But Shadow Environment Minister Mr. Julian Hall blamed political opponents -- and the Press.

"We accept unreservedly, and have always done so, that the image of the Progressive Labour Party as a `black party' with exclusive concern for the plight of the black Bermudian must change.

"This image has not been earned; it has been imposed upon us by a series of cynical UBP administrations together with their propagandists in the establishment media.'' The parties' imagery suggests one thing. Once the shouting stops, election 1993 like all others will hinge to an uncomfortable degree on skin colour.

Political observers say 12 or 13 percent of floating black voters decide elections.

Strange, therefore, that race so far has taken a back seat in the campaigns, although both sides had warned as much months ago.

Nevertheless race is tackled in the election platforms.

Yesterday the PLP unveiled several key planks. They include: Workshops in the workplace to boost race relations; A festival of Bermudian talent; "Bermuda National Hero'' and "Bermuda National Heroine'' posthumous awards; Giving teeth to The Human Rights Act 1981; and Strengthening the Small Business Development Programme, and laws against unfair dismissal, and legislation to ensure better redundancy payments to long-term employees.

In its manifesto the UBP pledges to: Set up a Human Rights Commission division for dealing with race relations; and Work out guidelines to guarantee equal opportunity and the elimination of discrimination.

Although race relations has not gained prominence so far, race has been a factor in the election run-up.

It remains a lurking monster ready to break the surface. The monster's head reared up over the US Base controversy after the PLP's visit to the Black Caucus of Congress.

Government accused its opponents of bringing race into the issue, triggering fury from PLP leader Mr. Frederick Wade.

"We are not a racist party,'' he stormed, adding many whites were victimised if they joined black organisations.

As the campaign bandwagons gather pace the greater the chance of the monster re-emerging.

While both sides admit problems in appealing to blacks or whites, they are reluctant to accept blame.

The UBP prefers to point to the number of blacks within its ranks.

And it is keener to highlight race relations improvements over the last 30 years than dwell on current problems.

The PLP is as keen to claim credit for the improvements, and underline the huge task remaining.

Earlier this year, the marathon House of Assembly debate on racism emphasised different approaches, and tones.

To the UBP's Pembroke West Central candidate Jerome Dill his party does not have an image problem with blacks.

"I think it is a myth that the majority of black people think the UBP is for white people and certain blacks.'' Mr. Dill said the UBP had to attract a "significant'' number of blacks to keep winning elections.

But he readily accepted his party failed to appeal to many working class blacks.

"I think the majority of them are perhaps not aware that there are those in the UBP who have their best interests at heart.'' But who is to blame? Said Mr. Dill: "It's not a question of fault. It wasn't until 1968 we had universal adult suffrage.

"It's all very new to Bermuda. I think we have made a lot of progress over the years.'' Mr. Dill, a black lawyer, had no qualms about joining the UBP. "I basically went from somebody apolitical to somebody who looked around to see which party was representative of the majority of Bermudians.'' After his primary victory last year with the Hon. Ann Cartwright DeCouto a storm erupted over a poster which said "Master's Got a New Nigger!'' But Mr.

Dill said: "As far as I am concerned Bermudians should be beyond that sort of thing.'' Community Affairs Minister the Hon. Leonard Gibbons described the UBP as "the most integrated organisation in Bermuda.'' He pointed out Bermuda had a black Premier, and many black Ministers.

But Mr. Gibbons added whites had to understand that while institutionalised racism may be a perception to them, it was a reality to blacks.

One Cabinet Minister, who did not wish to be named, said: "In any society there are divisions. In the United Kingdom there are class divisions.

"In Bermuda I believe we are seeing a greater division -- not between blacks and whites -- but between an educated class and an uneducated class.'' Shadow Tourism Minister Mr. David Allen is the only white Opposition MP.

He joined the party 26 years ago as a 23-year-old who had emerged from a typical white background in a segregated Bermuda.

While travelling, he was shocked to discover similarities between South Africa and Bermuda.

And on returning he heard UBP founding members speak of going to South Africa as "a breath of fresh air''.

"To me the PLP was like a breath of fresh air,'' said Mr. Allen, a journalist.

Mr. Allen said he had never experienced racism from party colleagues.

But he admitted he paid a penalty for joining the PLP, and was once labelled a "traitor to the white race''.

Mr. Allen added: "I am sure there are people who don't do business with me in my magazine work.'' Why don't more whites follow his suit? "Fear and peer pressure still stop many whites from joining the Opposition.'' Two years ago, the National Liberal Party's Ms Cheryl Pooley gave her reasons for splitting from the PLP. In a letter to Mr. Wade she said the PLP strived to improve the lot of primarily black Bermudians. She wanted the lives of all Bermudians improved.

Mr. Wade said the PLP's mission was to help have-nots -- most of which were black through circumstance.

Mr. Hall, while accepting his party's black appeal, had no doubt why whites were reluctant to come on board.

"We fully understand how and why Bermuda's social history and decades of historical apartheid have discouraged many of our white supporters and friends from openly acknowledging that our policies and goals are in the best interests of all of Bermuda.

"While the UBP and its propagandists enjoy poking jibes at our low white membership, we know directly from our white brothers and sisters that the role and contributions of the PLP is forcing advances in social reform.

"We take credit for many of the limited advances which have been made in the sphere of race relations; and we make no apologies for so doing.'' But Mr. Hall added: "While we have made major advances in the physical integration of the races, our record in social integration is poor.

"Bermuda's record in economic integration is poorer still. While the physical integration of the races was recognised as a necessity by the earliest UBP government, the UBP power structure must take responsibility for the shameful failure to ensure equality of economic opportunity.'' He added a PLP Government would seek to improve race relations socially and economically.

Mr. Hall said a PLP Government would free many white Bermudians from the "social and political prison'' which forces their kneejerk support for the UBP.

It would also bring home to black Bermudians "romanced and manipulated'' by UBP's masters the accomplishments of the PLP.