Good evening Fellow Bermudians, residents and visitors. My family and I thank you, most sincerely, for your prayers and expressions of goodwill during the past four tumultuous weeks of our political journey.There were times when we discussed, seriously, the option of walking away from the pressures of office. But then I looked to the heavens from whence cometh my strength!

I also turned, once again, to the people of Hamilton Parish. They have been my source of comfort and inspiration.

They first elected me in 1993 and ever since they have reaffirmed their faith in my vision, my ability and my resolve to make life better for the people of Bermuda.

That is why I say to you on this occasion that my mission in public life is not complete!

When I hear the concerns of former colleagues Jamahl Simmons and Gwyneth Rawlins, I know that my work is far from over>

We differ on whether their observations are real or imaginary, but the fact that they believe what they say is tangible reason why I must re-double my efforts to change the way politicians go about their business in Bermuda.

I want to restate my core reasons for entering and remaining in public life.

I am here to serve the people of Bermuda!I love people!<$>

I appreciate how my life has been shaped and influenced by ordinary Bermudians who believe in me.

Persons like Russell Furbert, Bishop Norris Dickenson and Dr. Bertrum Guishard, who felt that this little boy, from humble and obscure beginnings, could make a difference.

My record of service as a Parliamentarian, as a Minister of Government and currently as Opposition Leader, at the helm of the United Bermuda Party, is a manifestation of the progress that we have made.

But there is still plenty work to be done.

I want to help my fellow man!

I want to address and resolve the problems, real and imaginary, that Jamahl Simmons and Gwyneth Rawlins spoke about.

I want to correct and build upon the weaknesses in my leadership that my friend and colleague Maxwell Burgess observed and outlined.

I never claimed to be a perfect human being. I never said I was the consummate leader. What I have said to this country is that I will be honest, that I will be true, and that I will be fair and evenhanded in my dealings with all social, ethnic and economic groups.

I pledged to this country several years ago that I would be unrelenting in my quest to bring about social and economic justice in Bermuda. My intent in that regard is as focused and unrelenting today as it was back then.

What I need is the opportunity to effect real and meaningful change in Bermuda.

I want every Bermudian to live the Bermuda dream, to share in the advantages of living in one of the most prosperous countries in the world.

I want to help our children reach their full potential! I want them to be given the best possible education. I want high-quality, reliable and affordable healthcare for all Bermudians, especially our seniors.

I want improved conditions of work for Bermudians and equality of opportunity.

Some people say to me: “Wayne, I like you but you are not as charismatic as Ewart Browne. You do not speak as eloquently. You make mistakes when you read!”

Ladies and Gentlemen, to these charges, I plead guilty!

I will keep working at this, but I will never be perfe

However, you can take it as given, that I will be honest, approachable and helpful.

Throughout my career I have focused on getting the job done.

My desire has been to walk the walk and not merely to talk the talk.

If I were Premier of Bermuda today, several of the problems that currently exist would be tackled in a more aggressive manner.

I simply could not preside over the country with the highest GDP in the world and yet allow the cries of so many people to go unattended and unresolved.

If I were Premier in 2007, or indeed, had I been Deputy Premier for eight long years, I would not still be talking about opening economic doors for black Bermudians. The doors would long have been removed! Entry would be open to all and the benefits would be visible in the quality of life of each citizen.

If I were Premier of Bermuda today, or indeed, if I were a Minister of Government for the past nine years, I would have seen to it that affordable houses were built and made available to working Bermudians.

I would not still be talking about housing as a challenge.

I would have tackled and resolved it long ago!

If I were Premier or Deputy Premier for the past nine years, I would not now be talking about the plight of our seniors!

I would have done something about it long ago.

Louise Jackson has researched and identified the problems.

A government under my watch would have confronted these issues with a greater sense of pure<$>.As Premier, I could not sleep comfortably knowing that some seniors were going to sleep hungry and under inadequate shelter.But that is the difference between talking the talk and walking the walk.

I confess that I am not the greatest orator.

I am guilty of not excelling in the area of dict.

My focus has always been on implementing the policies I speak about, rather than merely reading them and looking forward to the next public appearance.

I believe that Bermudians have had their fair share of pretty speeches.

We have had nine years of sound bites, but precious little action.

Many of the problems that existed nine years ago are still with us today—and yet all we get are words and the appearance of action.

Premier Brown said it himself: “In spite of what you hear, you are not better off than you were three years ago - neither is your neighbour and neither is your son or your daughter.”

This is an admission of failure by the Government he has served and is an indictment against the PLP administration.

I want to be remembered as a leader who made things happen and not just a leader who talked — but neveid.<$>

That is why tonight, I reaffirm my commitment to the cause.

That is why tonight I humbly accept the confidence that my colleagues in the United Bermuda Party have reposed in me.

I will work hard in the coming weeks to focus my energies not just on what I will do when elected— but also on getting elected!

Fellow Bermudians, I have a vision and I have a plan for muda<$>.

I want to help solve some of the social and economic challenges that confront this country.

A United Bermuda Party administration under my watch will reduce taxes. We will make this country work better for all of its citizens.

We believe strongly that education is the best and most reliable weapon against poverty and ignorance.

We will prepare and enable Bermudians to take their rightful place in the economic life of this country. We will not suppress the ceiling, but we will raise the floor on which our people stand. Put differently— the sky will be the limit to where each Bermudian can aspire and achieve.

But by the same token, the floor on which they stand shall be raised to ensure that all benefit and that no one is lefthind.

I pledge to you, my brothers and sisters, a return to honest government.

I will push my ministers to deliver on the promises we make in our Contract of Faith with the people of Bermuda. I will lead by example.

I will say what I will do and I will do what I say.In Bermuda today, we need leadership that is productive, leadership that is relevant. More than anything, we need leadership that we can trust! I offer such leadership to the people of Bermuda.

I will be unrelenting in my quest to tear down real and perceived racial barriers.

I take note of the wild accusations of racism levelled against my party.

I challenge the accusers! Tonight I say to them: “Supply tangible evidence and I will deal with the offenders!”

I know my candidates and I can vouch for each of them.

I do not know any of them to be racist.

But, if anyone knows of any incident where the finger of racism or bigotry can drvedly<$> be pointed at any candidate of the United Bermuda Party — I invite him or her to share publicly that experience or information and I will deal with it.

No person against whom the finger of racism can justifiably be pointed will run as a candidate under my lership. I give the country that assurance!

No person, against whom the finger of racism or bigotry can, with d reason<$>, be pointed, will serve in any capacity in a United Bermuda Party Government.

That is my solemn pledge to the voters Bermuda.<$>

But by the same token, I say to those accusers tonight, if you cannot advance any evidence, if you cannot share with this country a single example of you or anyone being discriminated against by any official of the United Bermuda Party, on the basis of colour or creed, then do the right thing and t up!

I will not tolerate the continuous maligning of this party or its members.<$>

The charge of racism was used, with much success, as a weapon against the United Bermuda Party in 1998 and again in the 2003 elections. It will not succeed on this occasion.

I invite our detractors to fight us on issues!

Fight us on policies!

Fight us on the unity, competence and integrity of our team of candidates.

Down with the red herrings!

If you can’t prove race—don’t bring it up!

If you can’t name the racists or share with the country an experience of racism, then move on to something real and meaningful.

The United Bermuda Party will fight the PLP on the issue of its performance, on its failure to deliver. The PLP made promises to the people of this country that it has not kept.

It is now returning with a slate of tired candidates whose competence and integrity have been brought into sharp focus.

We will fight the upcoming election on issues and not innuendo!

I challenge the PLP and its allies, traditional and newfound, to do likewise.

As for my leadership, I want to unite the people of Bermuda! I want to foster greater tolerance, love and understanding one for the other.

I want our people to share in the economic success of this country.

I can do this because I believe in it.

I am not saying it because it is politically correct. I believe it!

I have not deceived you in the past and I will not deceive you now.

The forthcoming election is about trust!

It is about putting Bermuda in the hands of leadership that all Bera can trust<$>.

My name is Wayne Livingston Furbert! And I am running for Premier of Bermuda!