The Premier hinted at a revolution in healthcare for seniors at a pre-election rally in Devonshire.

Dr. Ewart Brown, speaking at the PLP Main Event at Elliot Primary School, told those assembled: "When you see what we have planned for healthcare it will bring tears to your eyes. No longer will you have to worry about what will happen to you after you retire at 65. This Government will take care of it."

In his closing speech, the Premier said that the boom in tourism was attracting the most coveted hotel brands in the world, allowing Bermuda to effectively "cherry pick".

However, he claimed the UBP were in "deep denial" in their opposition to the Jumeirah Southlands development, and that Opposition MPs needed "their heads examined".

He also launched an attack on Opposition Leader Michael Dunkley, using the nursery rhyme Humpty Dumpty to make a dig at his fight against Patrice Minors for Smith's North. "I'll tell you this, when Patrice is finished with Mr. Dunkley in the election, not all the King's horses and all the King's men will be able to put Humpty Dunkley together again," said Dr. Brown.

He told party followers: "Jumeirah is the premium brand among all hotels in the world. Today our tourism product is the envy of every other destination. Our air arrivals are up, cruises are up, hotel occupancy is up, visitors are spending more and visitor satisfaction is up to 95 per cent. We are enjoying record numbers and everyone is benefiting from the boom.

"This is performance, this is not a Government sleeping at the wheel. This is a Government making a difference.

"It continues to be a puzzle as to why our opponents continue to object to Jumeirah. It is the most coveted hotel brand in the world. There isn't a destination that would not lay out the red carpet for Jumeirah, but the UBP wants to block Jumeirah. These people need their heads examined. Bermuda has not built a luxury hotel for 35 years. The PLP has ended that long drought with a glittering property, but what is it about the Opposition that they can't understand it?

"The reason is that they are in deep denial."

Dr. Brown said that Ritz Carlton, St Regis and InterContinental were also "knocking on the door".

"These are premium brands and they all want a piece of the action. This means Bermuda has won the respect of the premium brands in tourism," he said. "Bermuda is earning rave reviews in Wall Street, major players are bullish. That would not happen if they did not think the Bermuda Government was a blue chip Government.

"Strong as our reputation is around the world, I will continue to build the brand."

Accusing the UBP of hypocrisy, Dr. Brown also spoke of Shadow Tourism Minister David Dodwell's development of 19 suites next to The Reefs, saying: "Mr. Dodwell is building more hotel rooms on previously undeveloped land, but I don't see the opposition groups agitating action against him."

He added that although Bermuda was enjoying a "boom time" in tourism and construction, crime was casting a shadow on the Island's success.

"The darkest cloud is crime. The Governor has apologised for this and this was encouraging to hear this coming from the source of control over the Police," said the Premier, but he made no further comment.

Last night UBP Leader Mr. Dunkley responded to Dr. Brown's remarks, saying: "There's too much of this in society, of bringing people down.

"As Premier of this Island, I'm disappointed Dr. Brown has resorted to that because he should be leading by example and this does not set a good impression for others. I hate to burst Dr. Brown's bubble but he is certainly misleading the public with many of his comments. While he might enjoy negative personal attacks, I will continue to take the high road and deal with specifics."

Mr. Dunkley agreed that Jumeirah is a world leader, but said if Bermuda is the envy of other destinations, it would be full of tourists all the time.

As for Southlands, he said: "We have objected to the development due to the fact that it was rushed through on an SDO without the ability for public input and understanding...

"In addition while the United Bermuda Party is on record as supporting hotel development, we also believe that we must have an overall plan for development. How many new hotels will we have, where will they be built, what impact will they have on the environment, what impact will they have on our infrastructure - traffic, sewage, housing, education to name a few? How many more work permit holders will be required, what opportunities will Bermudians have for employment?"

Mr. Dunkley added the Reefs "went through the complete planning process and took a number of years to do so, and during this process was subjected to objections. This certainly differs from what went on at Southlands."