Opposition, leader Pamela Gordon said yesterday.

And she warned that party unity would become a strict rule as the UBP begins its climb-back from a thumping defeat in last year's General Election.

Ms Gordon was reluctant to discuss precise Opposition strategy for the coming year -- but promised a tougher stance from the other side of the House of Assembly.

She said: "Government has had its first year -- but it's now time to hold their feet to the fire.

"They have to realise that Government is not a private fiefdom -- they have a responsibility to the public.'' Ms Gordon added that, in Opposition, fundraisers had found traditional areas of support in business drying up.

"We have determined that in order for us to be successful, we need new sources of revenue.'' But she added the problems proved PLP claims that the UBP was firmly anchored in the business world and had a low priority for social issues was bogus.

The party is still coping with around $500,000 in debt incurred both at home and overseas for the last election campaign.

Ms Gordon said: "There are a lot of people who still have committed to the UBP, but when we have new ideas and put together strategic planning sessions and want to implement ideas, it all costs money.'' On Saturday, Ms Gordon told the party faithful at their annual conference: "We've spent the last year regrouping -- it's been a difficult process but one thing we know is that we cannot compromise on is the ability to be a team.'' She added: "We will work as a team -- and that position is not negotiable. We need all our strength to fight for Bermuda, not with each other.'' Ms Gordon was speaking at Saturday's annual party conference -- this year held totally in private, although her speech to delegates was later released.

She told members: "The reasons for our loss are more clear now that the dust has settled and we have the benefit of reflection.

"We always knew that a house divided cannot stand -- we've tested the hypothesis and found it to be true.'' And she added: "A chain is only as strong as its weakest link -- we must continue to grow and thrive on each other's strengths, while working together in areas where we're not individually strong.'' Gordon says UBP unity is key Shadow Ministers all prepared reports on Government portfolios -- with an emphasis on where it has fallen down compared to promises in the pre-election manifesto and the two Throne Speeches since taking power.

Ms Gordon said last night: "What people are going to find is a much more aggressive Opposition in the coming session.

"People will see far more questions to make Government accountable -- Government talks the talk, but they seem to believe if they say something often enough, people won't realise they're doing the opposite.

"They talk about accountability and transparency -- but everything you ask the Government, it's `no comment'.'' Ms Gordon added that the UBP would be hammering away at Government's record compared to its promises -- and insisted the two did not match up.

She said: "Tourism is a prime area -- they made a promise with their hundred day rescue plan -- it's now been a year and there's no plan and no rescue mission and, by their own admission, they've had to say it will take a lot longer.'' Ms Gordon added the PLP had also promised support for hotels -- then increased Land Tax, raking in an extra $6.5 million-plus, with more than $2 million of that coming from the large hotels.

She said: "That's not an incentive -- all that will do is increase the cost of doing business and increase the cost to the visitor.'' Ms Gordon claimed: "What we're going to see is an understanding that the first year in Government, they have promulgated the big lie.

"They said they were the acceptable alternative, that they had been the government-in-waiting for 36 years and that they would hit the ground running.

"A year later, we're getting excuses -- they opened the Throne Speech with an excuse.'' She added that the new Throne Speech included parts of last year with new promises -- and some legislation already prepared before the PLP took office, like the Act to offer protection to volunteers who assist at accidents and emergencies.

Ms Gordon said the PLP had taken refuge behind the lie that it would take longer to sort out the mess left behind by the UBP than was at first thought.

But she insisted: "They say there is this big mess -- yet we have the Premier and Ministers who are constantly away from Bermuda.

"One would have thought the concentration would have been staying at home clearing it up.'' POLITICS PTL