Senate Leader Col. David Burch has said Government should not take responsibility for every public woe and said people had to learn to stand on their own two feet.

During a meeting of the Senate yesterday, the Premier's Chief of Staff said it was up to every individual to make the best possible life for themselves, and said Government could not be expected to be all things to all people.

He responded to a claim by United Bermuda Party (UBP) senators that the country was suffering from a lack of Government leadership.

Opposition Sen. Rev. Leonard Santucci called on Government to provide more leadership to the community on social issues, involving family life, violence, drugs and crime.

But Sen. Burch said Government was providing leadership by delivering on its 1998 election platform, and showing a commitment to the people.

He said Government was responsible for the underprivileged and the less able, but “not every Tom, Dick and Harry.”

He said: “Government is not responsible for the able bodied who can get up and work for a living. You want to talk about leadership? It's about being committed to a cause and going forward.

“This is a new day. You are asking this Government to be all things to all people. We never promised that. We want people to be responsible for themselves. No more grace and favour.

Sen. Burch said the PLP would not be the Government that the UBP was.

He said it was up to able bodied people to work to enable them to afford housing, and said parents had to be responsible, first and foremost, for the upkeep and feeding of their children.

And he accused the UBP of creating a monster Government, claiming that the public expected everything to be done for them.

He said: “You created a monster. It's offensive to me and it should be offensive to every right-thinking person.”

“Grace and favour is dead. People should be able to stand up and say that their mind and ability are going to get them favour.”

He said people could not get along in life, and be successful, anymore simply because of who they knew or what they had promised in return.

And the Government Senate leader said members of Parliament should represent members of their constituencies regardless of whether or not they voted for them.

Opposition Sen. Neville Darrell called on Government to “galvanise” the people over the Island's drug problem and said the perception was out there that Government did not fully appreciate the extent of the issue or act on it.

He said: “Government needs to do more on family and leadership.”

And Rev. Santucci said he was “inviting” Government to step up to the wicket and provide more leadership.

“I'm not saying that nothing is being done. I'm saying that more needs to be done,” he said.

Rev. Santucci said the overall burden of responsibility had to rest with Government.

He added: “That is not to negate the Government, but to challenge it.”

And Rev. Santucci said more needed to be done with regard to the elderly and the youth, and said Government should be more sensitive to the needs of women, especially those who were being victimised.

But Government Senator Michael Scott said the Progressive Labour Party had had an “intense and sustained” approach to social issues and ailments in the community throughout its four-year reign and would continue to do so.

He said: “No one can contradict me when I defend our programme. We have only had four years. It will take some time (for the tide to turn).

“I'm extremely proud of the record of the Government on providing the social services.”