Premier Jennifer Smith's message to the thousands at last night's Progressive Labour Party rally at Bernard Park was unequivocal: "We have come too far, and achieved too much, to turn back now."

Her address was the climax of a thirty-six candidate crescendo, an appeal to the ocean of people who had gathered to return the PLP to power for a second term in office during tomorrow's election.

"We have grown the economy, we have created a climate that is conducive to the generation of new jobs and revolutionised education.

"We have exceeded expectations and we have remained true to the PLP's goals and aspirations. After four years we remain united in one common purpose, to create a fairer, more equitable and just society, a new Bermuda."

Brief showers did little to perturb the throngs who danced, shouted and sang as the rally reached its high point following three hours of thumping music with a performance by Bermuda Gombeys.

Premier Smith asked the crowd - estimated by organisers to have reached around 4,000 - to keep in their minds the memories of former PLP leader Frederick Wade, former Tourism Minister David Allen and others as they vote tomorrow to "affirm" the date with destiny that Bermuda made when the PLP won power in 1998.

"Bermuda is in Bernard Park tonight. On July 24 recognise that you owe it to your fathers, your mothers, your grandmothers and grandfathers to go out and vote solidly PLP. Our path has not strayed from 1998. We will continue to build a new Bermuda, a Bermuda where past divisions are healed and people are united. The work has just begun and we have come too far to turn back now."

She added: "On November 9, 1998 we liberated ourselves and Bermuda. On July 24, we will affirm that decision."

The rally, which lasted more than three hours, had seen all of the PLP's candidates take to the stage and give two to three minute addresses in which they urged voters to go "PLP all the way, all the way PLP" and ensure their friends voted PLP too.

Earlier on, theatre boycott hero Kingsley Tweed, who returned to the Island at the behest of the PLP after 40 years away, sparked off the atmosphere with an emotionally charged sermon.

"I have a story to tell. It will tell you about how enthusiastic I am about freedom. I crave freedom and I fought for freedom. The PLP fights for the establishment of your rights and my rights and everybody in Bermuda's rights. Let your aspirations be the PLP's aspirations, captured by a vision of the new Bermuda where all men can start to dream dreams. I suppose that includes me."

The rally was interspersed with comedy, including a re-enactment of a controversial radio broadcast which was pulled off the air last week due to concerns about its racial content.

The offending phrase, in which the actress said the only thing new about the UBP was its suntan, was replaced by: "The only thing new about you are your clothes."