"Building A New Bermuda'', given at the Progressive Labour Party's Annual Delegates' Conference on Monday, October 25.

Mr. Chairman, Delegates, Officers, Parliamentarians and Members, if there was any question in anyone's mind -- and I know there are still a few -- that the Bermuda Progressive Labour Party is now this Island's legitimate Government, Saturday night's historic Speaker's Dinner must have dispelled any doubt.

There were Ann Webb, Mrs. Henry, Party Secretary Belinda Cyrus, Party Chairman Victor Fishington and members of the Party Executive all `dressed to the nines' as they attended the year's most prestigious event. Yes, we have come a long way, and I believe that in spite of their own personal styles, Wilfred Allen, Walter Robinson and L. Frederick Wade were all looking down in delight as Speaker Stanley Lowe and Deputy Speaker Walter Lister welcomed guests to the Southampton Princess.

In fact, Leader Emeritus Lois Brown-Evans was not present and couldn't look on in delight as she is currently in the UK, along with her husband and family, preparing to receive her DBE from Her Majesty the Queen at Buckingham Palace.

Yes, we have come a long way. But we are here tonight in the full knowledge that we still have a long way to go.

Before getting down to the work of this Annual Conference, tonight I believe we can take one moment to reflect and rejoice. Last year, I asked you to carry the torch for the founders of this great Party. I asked you to ready yourselves for battle as we prepared to take control of this Island for the first time ever. And I asked you, as representatives of the Party to carry the Party banner high as your defence against those who would try to divide us.

Tonight, I say Thank You! For you have done all that was asked of you and more. Your donations of time, money and service were the foundation on which victory was won. The Public Relations officer reminded me of an incident that captures the Party's level of readiness for the 1998 General Election.

Around 8.30 pm on Sunday, November 7, a member of the Executive Committee was here in Alaska Hall tidying up some last minute work when the telephone rang.

Since there was no one else in the place, the Executive member answered the phone. It was an unknown member of the public calling to ask what she could do to help. The executive member told her that while her assistance was appreciated, there was nothing left to do. The lady didn't believe this. What about preparing the cards for each voter? she asked. "Already done,'' she was told. And in response to each of her following questions, the answer was...already done. In fact, the executive member finally had to reveal that he was the only person at Headquarters and, he was preparing to leave.

This was a Party organised and ready.

The PLP was more than prepared for this election and each one of us ought to be proud, very proud, of the way in which the General Election was begun, fought and won.

Applaud yourselves. Take a moment to bask in the accomplishment of a job well done.

Now, prepare yourselves -- we won the battle, but the war continues. The work has just begun and the Party still needs you. We need you to help raise funds to pay off the General Election Campaign debt. We need you to ensure that this building is finally ours in truth, as well as in name, by working to pay off the mortgage. And we need you to be determined to build a war chest that will ensure the Bermuda Progressive Labour Party a second term in government...and a third term...and a fourth term. Set your sights high and aim to be the Government into the fourth millennium! During the next few days of Conference, we will come to grips not only with building A New Bermuda, but also with the changes necessitated by moving from an Opposition Party to a Governing Party. If you think the transition was smooth and are pleased with the progress made in carrying out Election and Throne Speech promises -- credit is due, first of all, to our ancestors, our former Leaders and those former Parliamentarians who are not with us today, who had to fight the greatest odds.

Secondly, credit certainly must be paid to the 36 years the Party spent in Opposition.

Thirty-six years of discussion, consideration and contemplation of how we would do things if ever given the chance.

Thirty-six years of observing from the sidelines and taking note of the things that needed to be done.

Thirty-six years of creating alternative Budgets, alternative Throne Speeches and alternative programmes and projects.

Is it any wonder that we knew what had to be done and how to do it? And finally, credit is due to the 26 current Members of the House of Assembly, the five Government Senators and the numerous people serving on Government Boards and Committees.

It has not been easy. We have had to remain focused on the job at hand in spite of the many distractions put in our way.

Members, I know you understand, but it bears repeating...November 9th was not a fluke. We were organised, we were focused, and we had the will.

After the fact, many commentators stated that Bermuda was ready for change. I agree. Bermuda was ready for a change after years of the PLP educating the public, registering the public and empowering the public. Bermuda was ready for change because the PLP had positioned itself to be the agent of change.

You will recall that we announced our candidates first. We announced our slogan "Make It Happen'' -- a call to arms for the Bermudian public, first.

And, it was the PLP who gave the people something to believe in...A New Bermuda! These are the instruments of politics that helped make Bermudians ready.

Now that we have assumed the reins of government, it is truly time to Build A New Bermuda.

I have to admit that we initially thought that building a new foundation (albeit on somewhat shaky ground) was not an unrealistic goal for the first year. Instead, once we were able to get into the mechanics and operations of government, we found that constructing the new Bermuda would require a total excavation, before we could lay a new foundation. We have learned that you can't put in a brand new infrastructure without causing some disruption.

It's a big job to try to right wrongs implemented during thirty years of UBP government; especially when everyone without the responsibility knows how to do the job better than you...and has no hesitation in telling you so. Your PLP Government is working solidly, bit by bit, on the long task of putting things right.

We have been consumed day and night, with meetings to attend, papers to read and decisions to make; all while reading or hearing news media reports that are a complete mystery to us. Seemingly, the media know what we're thinking and doing even before we do.

But, it's all part of the job -- and, as the saying goes: we knew the job was difficult when we took it. Tonight I can assure you, that after almost a year in power, your Parliamentary members remain united in one common purpose...to create a fairer, more just and equitable society -- One Bermuda! Our Parliamentarians understand that there is no greater privilege than serving their country -- more so at this historic time.

With the 1998 General Election we were given the responsibility of charting Bermuda's course for the next century and in our second year, you will see action on more of the promises contained in our Election Platform as we continue to change Government to meet the needs of the public it serves.

Dealing with change within Government has occupied almost as much of our time as working on changes in policies and programmes. I must state that Bermuda has a talented, honest and enthusiastic civil service, but as noted in a recently commissioned report, their initiative was stifled and their ability to respond quickly, bound by outdated procedures and practices.

This is the last Party Conference for this century and as we look back before entering the new millennium, we are impressed with how far we've come.

Together we have come a long way, from the emancipation of slavery in these islands in 1834, to the release of the people's power in 1998. But we have only just begun! We have taken only the first few steps on the path to give shape to the hopes and dreams entrusted to us.

In the more than three decades since the 1968 Bermuda Constitution, this island has been led by eight Premiers -- seven from the United Bermuda Party and one from the Bermuda Progressive Labour Party.

In the more than three decades since the inception of the Bermuda Progressive Labour Party, we have had four leaders. This is because we take leadership seriously. We have had leaders who understood that those who plant the seeds are not always the ones who enjoy the fruits of their labour.

Tonight, as we reflect on progress made and goals achieved, we are conscious that a great deal more remains to be done to achieve the ideals set forth in our Election Platform: Equal opportunity for all Better jobs for Bermudians Empowerment as a key development strategy A foundation of law, respected by the Government as well as the people An investor friendly policy environment Macro economic stability Fiscal discipline in all matters and new standards of Revenue Management Accountability and transparency in all areas of governance Government in the sunshine of public scrutiny Investment in people as well as in physical infrastructure Protection of the vulnerable in society Preservation of the family Protection of the natural environment Inclusion of all in a fully participatory democracy The Platform lays out the Party's programme for our first term of office, and I promise you tonight, by the end of our first term we will be able to give a good report of our stewardship. But, we will only be able to do so with your help. Together, as a Party, we can build a new Bermuda of opportunity for all -- we stated in the Platform that such changes will not happen "simply because you want it and we promise to provide it''. We must work to make change happen.'' In our first year as Government, we have made progress in all of these areas.

We've taken the first steps in education, in tackling chronic unemployment, in rebuilding Bermuda's tourism, tackling traffic problems and putting into place a third economic arena with e-commerce. But we must continue to work. You must continue to work! I am pleased to note that many of you are working on Government Boards and Committees along with the hundreds of other Bermudians who are working in this manner.

Ministers may be the most visible face of Government, but we are supported by the five Senators who serve as Parliamentary Secretaries and the twelve backbenchers who chair Government Boards. In turn, each of us is supported by our Branch organisations and the Central Party Office.

Branches you have a vital role to play in building the New Bermuda. Each of the Government Members of parliament is responsible to a Branch and therefore, each Branch has a direct pipeline to an elected representative. You are your representative's eyes and ears in the constituency. You are the Party's communication link with the public. Don't wait for someone to ask you to do a job. Volunteer to do your part as a member of this great party and in so doing ensure that your elected representative is the best representative your constituency has ever had.

Some of you are already doing this, and tonight I want to say Thank You to those Branches who are working with us. Branches who are paying their Pledges.

Branches who are keeping their members informed and canvassing districts on behalf of their representatives. While I'm thanking Branches, let me also thank those members who support us with their physical presence in Parliament.

These members know firsthand the work that is being done.

But all is not perfect, our political party is no different from other organisations. Not too long ago, I heard a pastor give a breakdown on the different bones that comprise an organisation's framework. Now, he was talking about the church, but I believe his comment is relevant to all organisations -- including the PLP.

The pastor said there were three types of bones that make this frame: the Jaw bones -- who talk and complain about what should happen and what should be done the Tail bones -- who sit and watch everything that happens, never helping, and the Back bones -- who do what is necessary to make things happen.

Members, let's resolve to be a Party of Backbones -- people on whom the Party can depend! People who, when they see a job that needs doing, do it! This seems an appropriate point to pay tribute to the sterling work done by the Executive Officers of the Party. In many instances, they have had to shoulder the responsibility of Party leadership while I, as Party Leader and Mr. Cox, as Deputy Leader, came to grips with governing this island. Knowing that we could count on the Chairman, Secretary General, Treasurer, Public Relations Officer, Party Organiser and their assistants to see to the day-to-day running of the Party was a great relief during a time of greatly increased demands on our time and energy.

I think what is most appreciable about the Executive's attitude is the fact that they never once complained about our absence from meetings, a lack of communication or anything else. Theirs was a "can do'' attitude -- they phoned when personal attention was needed or if there was a question, and kept us informed of Party needs, plans and activities. In fact, without any changes to our Party Constitution, they operated as an Executive in charge of a governing Party.

Thank You members of the Executive! This change in our fortunes, from Opposition to Government, has not been without some teething pains. There have been members who -- not understanding that, by law, Ministers (and in fact, M.P.'s) have nothing to do with the hiring, or firing, of government employees -- would ask us to intercede in their attempts at employment.

There have been business members and supporters who -- not understanding that contracts with Government, must be honoured by Government; even though our Government has a policy to review contracts when they come up for renewal and to put contracts out to tender -- would ask us to see that they got such and such a contract.

There have been members who have used, abused or misrepresented their position with the Party in an effort to trade on the Party's success.

Other members sometimes found themselves misled by news media reports that tout gossip and rumour -- especially when uttered by the Opposition -- as fact. (we wouldn't want truth to get in the way of a good story) Our policies are decided for tomorrow's children, not tomorrow's newspapers.

These things aside, it has been a very good first year, and those who have any doubt about our commitment to this Party's ideals have only to look at our track record. Our Party was founded on the principles of justice and equity for Bermudians regardless of race, colour or creed, and we continue to put Bermuda first and to put Bermudians first.

The war continues In closing, let me say that it is an honour to serve in this Government, it is an honour to be your Leader. With such a proud past and a glorious future before us, we will not lose sight of our shared vision of A New Bermuda. We will move forward together.

Committed to fulfilling our destiny.

Together.

Over the next few nights, we will talk in detail about the next steps and I trust that at the end of the Conference we will be bound by a determination to build on the success of this Party, this Government, this country.

Victory! Premier Jennifer Smith celebrating the PLP's win las November 9.

POLITICS PTL