The Opposition United Bermuda Party (UBP) is promising a raft of measures that it says will restore "good government" and address social and environmental issues more effectively than the Progressive Labour Party (PLP).

As expected the platform, which was released yesterday, includes proposals for 100 additional units of affordable housing for rent, and is promising a incentive programme for private construction of affordable housing.

And the UBP plans to work with financial institutions to develop more accessible mortgages for housing sales, the aim being to develop four percent mortgages and rent-to-buy schemes.

For the long term, it says, it will develop a National Housing Strategy.

The party's "good government" plan includes restoring a non-political Attorney General, a Freedom of Information Act, a code of conduct for parliamentarians and absentee balloting arrangements.

It promises to push through a Whistleblowers Act, which would protect civil servants who report wrongdoing on the part of their bosses, if elected as government and open parliamentary committee meetings to the public.

On constitutional reform the 32 page document says: "The Smith Government denied Bermudians the opportunity to ratify major changes to their Constitution. The new United Bermuda Party believes this must never happen again. In the future, any significant changes to our Constitution must receive the direct approval of the future of Bermuda, and we will fight to make that a reality."

On education the UBP is promising a school board for each school and increase school autonomy. But it also wants to publish testing results and require schools to survey parents on their satisfaction levels.

Seniors will get a healthcare clinic which will provide free preventive care, free prescription drugs and eyeglasses and insurance reform.

A UBP government will also prohibit age discrimination and raise the mandatory civil service retirement age to 70 from 65.

Its proposals on crime and justice issues include boosting the size of the Police Service, providing a "fully functioning" Police station in St. George's and reactivating the Police Complaints Authority.

It is also proposing money for Bermuda College students tied to them serving in the Police Service for five years after graduation.

And the party says it will create an "independent Internal Affairs Department to investigate allegations of corruption or criminal misdeeds by police, customs or prison officers."

A non political Attorney General will conduct an audit of the staff to "ensure that the best possible people are in place to prosecute effectively".

Conviction rates will be improved by overhauling the criminal code to increase sentences for persistent offenders, provide for tougher sentences for sex crimes and remove the rule against double jeopardy for serious crimes.

The UBP is also promising to "consider trial by three judge panel in serious cases of drug dealing, violence or fraud, or where a jury is at risk of intimidation" and says it will "examine" a curfew for under 16s.

But it will also improve rehabilitation programmes in the prisons.

On drugs it says it will start by establishing random drug testing for all Members of Parliament.

It will use the latest drug detection technology in the prisons, and "strengthen partnerships with drug enforcement agencies on both sides of the Atlantic".

The party is also proposing to double penalties for bringing drugs into prison.

"Fighting the importation of drugs is essential," the document says.

"But so too is empowering young people with genuine alternatives and, where appropriate, giving them a second chance. First the new United Bermuda Party will make sure the Office of Economic Empowerment provides young people with attractive alternatives as they confront the allure of drugs.

Next, we will review the mandate and effectiveness of the National Drug Commission, the Bermuda Assessment Referral Centre, and other government-sponsored treatment facilities to ensure that taxpayers money is directed to programmes that produce results. We must not let youthful mistakes turn into life-long tragedies."

Gender related issues also feature in the UBP's platform. Employers will be educated to address disparities between men and women, and maternity leave laws will be enforced, it says.

The UBP is promising to do a better job at protecting women and children from domestic violence through strengthening laws against sexual assault, removing victims from offenders "as quickly as possible" and enacting "progressive domestic violence legislation that will ensure more effective coordination among the Police, social services and the justice system".

Workers in the criminal justice system will be educated about "gender sensitivity, particularly in cases of domestic violence, sexual assault and sexual harassment".

And on environmental issues, the UBP refers to the "shameful, one sided termination of the US bases agreement, which saddled Bermudians with the $60 million bill for cleaning up this dangerous combination of asbestos, petroleum and toxic metals."

The "$60 million problem" will be tackled by "establishing a Toxic Waste Superfund, which will grow through annual Budget contributions" and "negotiating agreements with potential developers wishing to assist with the cleanup in exchange for development incentives."

A UBP government would be "eco friendly" by considering the environment in its decision making, and will "aggressively pursue the use of electric and hybrid vehicles".

It promises to complete the White Paper on Marine Resources and "pursue solutions to the problems of feral animals and invasive species".

And if elected the UBP will introduce environmental impact assessments for major development projects, give environmental enforcement officers the power to ticket violators of littering and noise pollution laws.