Government has changed its style but it has failed to act on pressing social issues, says Opposition Leader Grant Gibbons.

Asked his reactions to Premier Alex Scott's promises to set in motion the Progressive Labour Party's social agenda, Dr. Gibbons said the public was being treated to more smooth words from the Premier.

“There's no doubt that we've seen a change in style since the last election and we've got a Premier that's eager to communicate with the public and there's nothing wrong with that,” he said.

“We've had lots of promises but we haven't seen any substance on issues that really matter like seniors and housing and education and tourism. I think the problem is we have heard it all before.

“We heard soothing words after the last election about party unity. We have heard that the new government will be a broad church representing the interests of all Bermudians. We've heard promises about good governance and releasing information. But why should we believe it now? Why should we believe these promises any more than we should believe the promises about the completion of the Berkeley project ?”

In an interview last week Mr. Scott promised a more efficient legislative process and a renewed focused on social issues.

He said that Government's “social agenda” legislative programme will tackle violence, housing, drugs the role of youth and other ‘quality of life' issues.

And, the Premier added, Government was working to change the legislative process so that legislation will be drafted and ready to go to the House of Assembly by the time the Throne Speech is read by the Governor, thereby ending a trend of unproductive sittings in parliament.

Those changes, the Premier said, would be evident for the 2005/06 Throne Speech. But Dr. Gibbons dismissed most of the Premier's comments, saying the Premier was asking for a fresh start despite the fact that the PLP has been in power for six years.

“How many fresh starts does this Government deserve? Why should seniors and those without housing have to wait until the 2005/06 Throne Speech to get action? We have to recognise that roughly two thirds of the current Cabinet served in the previous PLP government and six years is a very long time to wait for action on a lot of these pressing social issues,” he said.

“Instead what we've had is GPS, the Coco Loco lease at Stonington... we've seen special car license concessions to key supporters and no action on Lefroy House.

“The bottom line is that we need far more than a change in style and new promises to address the serious social and economic challenges that face our community. We need substance and we need delivery.”