Opposition leader Michael Dunkley has announced a virtually unchanged Shadow Cabinet with Grant Gibbons replacing Neville Darrell, who is retiring, as Education spokesman.

Also on the outside is Maxwell Burgess who stepping down at the forthcoming election while former leader Wayne Furbert is taking a breather.

In a press statement Mr. Dunkley said Mr. Furbert had agreed to work with new candidates and to assist the party’s efforts to win the marginal constituencies. Mr. Dunkley said: “This is a particularly important undertaking and I appreciate Wayne’s commitment.

“The election is near and all of us are focused on winning so that we can give this country a government that delivers.”

Mr. Furbert told The Royal Gazette: “I have been a minister before and the election is just around the corner.

“My focus right now is helping myself in my seat and working with those candidates I brought on board to help win their seats. And I will speak on all issues.”

Parliament resumes today with what is expected to be a lengthy debate on a heavily amended law to clamp down on “fronting” — the practice where trusts are used to buy property for foreigners who are not legally entitled to own it.

A version of the law had been tabled in the last session but was withdrawn when it was realised a proposed register of land trusts could damage the Island’s trust business. Its understood more than a dozen amendments have been made to the Bermuda Immigration and Protection Amendment Act 2007.

Meanwhile, boasts by Premier Ewart Brown that his party is aiming to win 30 of the 36 seats in the coming general election have earned a stinging rebuke from Opposition leader Michael Dunkley.

He said Dr. Brown talked a brave game about winning the next election but he could be in for a big surprise as he couldn’t run on his government’s record.

Mr. Dunkley said: “He can’t run on the basis of a nine-year housing crisis. He can’t run on success in public education. He can’t run on the merits of closing down the Medical Clinic. He can’t run on reduced crime. He can’t run on improved care for our seniors.

“He might be able run on his vision, but who can really say what the ‘next level’ is?

“So far, all we’ve seen is bodyguards, presidential motorcades, security fences, divisive rhetoric, petitions and protests, alienating expatriates and deal-making.”

The Premier made the comments about 30 seats at a public meeting on Wednesday night. Currently the party holds 22 seats and the Premier has yet to say when he will go to the polls.

Mr. Dunkley said if the Premier was that confident of a landslide he should call the election now. “Let’s take it to the people and let them decide. We’re ready.”