Retail is suffering because years of United Bermuda Party cronyism dulled its competitive edge, said Government backbencher Delaey Robinson yesterday.

He said under the UBP business people ran the country but the election of the Progressive Labour Party gave them the chance to get back to tending their businesses while politicians outside the corporate loop could run the country by the rules.

He said it ended the practice of businessmen getting deals because of who they knew.

"This ground the competitive efficiency of our businesses down to a very thin margin."

The $40 million a year Bermudians spent a year in overseas shopping trips was caused by inefficient business, said Mr. Robinson.

"That has built up over many years, much of it over a UBP government. Why has that happened? It's because their businesses are inefficient.

"This happens when things are too easy and when you are both the government and the businessman you can't help but keep your fingers near the cookie jar. The result is inefficiency."

He said the PLP had injected freshness into the economy.