weekend speech designed to be a tonic for the troops.

And she beat the drum for the ruling United Bermuda Party's bid to keep the reins of power in its hands.

Ms Gordon said the UBP was the only party which stood for all Bermudians.

She added: "I have immense faith in the people of Bermuda. The people understand the way of the future and that Bermuda's future lies in unity, not in division.

"We are proud of Bermuda's diversity. We know that it is diversity and not division that is the foundation of our Country's prosperity.'' And she pledged: "The United Bermuda Party will stand as the party for all Bermudians, a party which embraces all who wish to pursue a collective future of harmony and opportunity, hope and success.'' Ms Gordon also slammed claims that the UBP was the party of the white establishment.

She said: "Thirty years later, the Uncle Toms, the names, don't stop. But it's helped us to be strong, to be proud and to fight for the kind of Bermuda we want for our children.'' She added: "We fought long and hard on issues of desegregation -- we fought for the right of black people to be able to choose.'' Ms Gordon was speaking as she delivered the keynote address to close a party conference -- which had the theme of the UBP, Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow -- on Saturday.

The Premier -- who won a standing ovation -- said every Bermudian must look at what kind of country they wanted to live in. She added the UBP offered "a Bermuda which offers opportunity to all Bermudians, irrespective of race, colour or creed.'' And she told the party faithful that the challenge was to demonstrate that the United Bermuda Party deserved to continue leading the Country.

Ms Gordon said: "In truth, it's our past experience and our present understanding that uniquely qualifies the UBP to secure Bermuda's future.'' And she claimed: "Over the past 30 years the United Bermuda Party has shown time and time again our proven ability to manage change -- not merely to react to world events, but to lead, to anticipate and to capture new opportunities.'' Ms Gordon acknowledged that the Island's families had been "challenged as never before.'' She said: "Despite the efforts of our clergy, our Government and community leaders, Bermuda has not been spared the ravages of families in turmoil -- teenage mothers, fathers who don't honour their parental responsibility, drug abuse crime the pressing need for affordable housing and new job opportunities.'' But she pledged: "We will not give up on our children. We will not give up on our families. We are a small enough community with a big enough heart to take each of these issues head on to make real improvements -- we will overcome.'' Ms Gordon listed UBP achievements like hospital insurance, old age pensions free primary and secondary education, daycare and the Bermuda College as milestones from the past.

She added that the party was committed to providing more day care for family-supporting working mothers and equal pay and opportunity, as well as "the fair-minded enforcement of our immigration laws'' to provide opportunities for Bermudians.