Opposition Leader Wayne Furbert last night called for the Government to be judged on its nine years of power ? not Premier Ewart Brown's first 100 days in office.

In a televised speech, Mr. Furbert pointed to a range of issues he said the Progressive Labour Party had failed to tackle, including a "crisis" over affordable housing, rising crime and the emergence of "gang-style violence", and students underachieving within the education system.

Mr. Furbert accused Dr. Brown of deceiving the public with "pop and sizzle" in promising to tackle a host of issues during his First 100 Days Speech on Monday night. He pledged that the United Bermuda Party would be coming forward with plans to "build a better Bermuda" over the coming weeks.

"Earlier this week the Premier spoke to the country on his first 100 days in office," said Mr. Furbert. "The reality is that this Government has been in power for 3,000 days, not 100 days.

"That's nearly nine years to make real headway on the problems facing the country. Nine years when it has had the power to build affordable housing; nine years to ensure that our children get the education they need; nine years to come down hard on crime; and nine years to do more for our struggling seniors.

"So, ladies and gentlemen, I feel it is my duty to invite you to look past the pop and sizzle that the Premier serves up so well.

"When I heard his address on Monday, I was reminded of the quotation: 'Oh what a web we weave, when we conspire to deceive.'"

Mr. Furbert spoke solemnly throughout the broadcast, occasionally rapping the table with his hands or pointing towards the camera.

Responding to Dr. Brown's pledge to tackle issues of affordable housing "with vigour", he said: "The Government was first elected in 1998 on a commitment to provide housing.

"What we got instead was a nine-year housing crisis; years when people who could have been housed were not.

"They have had nine years to get a grip on this problem. We need action."

Mr. Furbert welcomed Government's commitment to a full-scale review of Bermuda's education system ? but expressed concern that the move was "one more study".

On Monday, Dr. Brown had stated the investigation ? announced as new figures revealed less than half of final year students graduated last summer ? would help "deal with the performance of our students".

However, Mr. Furbert said last night: "The problem in education is one of deep consequence for our society. The public has known for years that the problem cuts deeply, and we have called many times for dramatic, comprehensive action to give our young people the education they need to succeed. I want to assure you that my colleagues and I will keep close watch on this review to make sure the country gets the answers it needs. At the same time we must register our concern that this is one more study.

"We've had nine years of studies. We need action. Our children need action."

On crime, Mr. Furbert questioned the Premier's statement that he was "keen to address the long-standing issues" surrounding public safety.

"Issues of law and order became long-standing problems with the Government," said Mr. Furbert.

"The country has witnessed the advance of new and disturbing trends in crime, including the emergence of gang-style violence.

"People are fearful. They are disturbed by the sense that as a society we are heading in the wrong direction."

Mr. Furbert pointed to new figures showing that the final three months of 2006 were the most violent since Police began recording statistics.

He added that Dr. Brown had "spun" the issue of tourism when he referred in Monday's speech to a "double digit growth" year over year in the number of visitors to Bermuda.

Mr. Furbert acknowledged that the Premier was right to feel proud visitor arrivals were up in 2006, but said this was helped by an "unprecedented reliance" on cruise ship visitors rather than air arrivals. It followed the worst five-year performance since the start of mass tourism in the mid 1960s, he stressed.

Doubt was also cast over Dr. Brown's concerns about global warming. The Premier had revealed how Government was preparing to launch a massive public campaign aimed at making recycling "the habit of every home on the Island".

But Mr. Furbert countered: "We do not think this Government really cares about the environment."

He said the five-year review of the Bermuda Development Plan had not been conducted since the PLP came to power, meaning there was no up-to-date strategy showing the best way forward for the Island.

Mr. Furbert also urged the Premier to reconsider his decision to close the Medical Clinic. Dr. Brown had stated the unit would shut because its patients are denied dignity, and that they should instead be able to attend the doctor of their choice.

Mr. Furbert responded: "We are concerned that closing the clinic will create unnecessary challenges for the very people it is supposed to benefit."

Concluding his speech, he pledged: "The United Bermuda Party will stay the course. We will be there for you. We know that talk by itself does not move a country forward. If given the chance, we will get the job done."