Premier Jennifer Smith used yesterday's controversial People's Holiday celebrations to tell Bermudians: "We deserve our day of joy!'' She brushed aside all opposition to the holiday to mark the PLP's first ever election victory on November 9.

And the new leader told thousands of Progressive Labour Party supporters: "It's not just you. We deserve it too.

"We have worked hard. We have worked long, and we deserve it.'' As Ms Smith spoke, most of Bermuda's international business operations were halfway through a normal working day -- on the first day of the Euro currency.

But the Premier, addressing the crowds in City Hall car park, said the January 4 holiday, sponsored by Government and not the PLP, was a day "for children and the future''.

"There is nothing they cannot aspire to,'' she said. "There is nothing they cannot achieve. There is no mountain they cannot climb.

"That's the message we want to send to our young people. If they want something bad enough and they work hard enough, they will be successful.

"They can take it from me. I have been there and done that.'' Ms Smith was introduced by Rev. Trevor Woolridge, the former PLP MP who quit politics to start preaching in the US.

He reminded the crowds that Bermuda's new Premier had been rejected five times at the polls before finally being elected as an MP.

And Ms Smith picked up the theme, telling the holiday party: "United we stand, divided we fall.

"When we came together in 1998, look what we accomplished -- something that some people thought would never happen.

"Some people thought they would go to their graves without having seen this sight, but it did happen.'' She promised the new Government now had the "power to put things right''.

"We have discovered that we have the power to change things,'' she said, using the day's theme of `a new beginning'.

"And we have in our hands the future of this country. We have a lot of work to do. We have examples to set, we have roles to play. We need to clean up some of our acts.

"We need to ensure that if our young people do what is expected of them, then this country is theirs.'' The holiday party did not inspire the crowds which greet Bermuda Day parades or Beat the Retreat ceremonies.

But PLP officials estimated the running crowd through the day to have topped 5,000 in Hamilton, with another 3,000 at the sunrise service at Clearwater Beach.

The Premier said Bermuda's voters did not shout and made no threats in the run-up to the election.

"There was no reggae going on,'' she said. "People knew all they had to do was put their x in the right place.'' She said the party's politicians, lined up behind her on the stage, were "some of the best and brightest minds in the country''.

And she added: "This is the last year of this century and we must go forward as one people or as Bermudians knowing that we can chart a course for this country and make a successful future possible for all of our young people.

"You have our word that everything will be done to the benefit and for the best of all Bermuda. That's our mandate. That's our challenge. Rejoice because we have done it. The victory is ours.'' The PLP's election candidates -- sitting in the back of convertible sports cars -- arrived at City Hall following a motorcade parade through Hamilton, from the party's Court Street headquarters.

The procession, along Front Street and Queen Street, included majorettes and drum corps.

David Ezekiel, Chairman of the Chamber of Commerce's International Companies Division, mingled with holiday revellers at City Hall as the Premier was about to speak.

But he said he was in the middle of a working day, even though Ms Smith warned businesses they would not observe the holiday "at their own peril''.

Mr. Ezekiel said: "I see that many people are enjoying the holiday. But most international business firms have got some people in, even though Hamilton seems awfully deserted.

"Business has been going on, although many people are also off for the day.

"It's been an important business day because of the Euro currency but even more so because of some year-end stuff which has to be finished up by a lot of firms.'' Belco President Garry Madeiros also hinted the power supply for the party may be provided free of charge to mark the holiday celebrations.

He said the decision had not yet been made, but added: "We are only talking about one or two thousand dollars. We do not support any particular political party.

"But if this is a Government holiday, then it is something we would consider.'' The City Hall celebrations included Bermuda Regiment fanfare trumpeters and local entertainers Gita Blakeney, Ras Mykkal, James Richardson and the CedarBridge Choir.