lyrics of Bob Marley and quotations of Malcolm X and seeking vengeance, a veteran Government MP warned yesterday.

Health and Social Services Minister the Hon. Quinton Edness expressed disgust with what speakers, particularly Progressive Labour Party member Dr. Ewart Brown, said at the PLP's Thursday night rally at PHC Stadium in Warwick.

At the rally, attended by some 300 people, Dr. Brown and other PLP potential parliamentary candidates called for a change in Government.

Without declaring their candidacies in Warwick West, they said the PLP was the party best able to lead Bermuda.

Dr. Brown, a Bermudian who until recently lived and mainly practised medicine in the US, said he returned home after 28 years because he had "scores to settle'' and "accounts to pull even''.

"I don't overestimate my ability to change things,'' he said. "But I believe the strongest powers in existence are working with me, first the Almighty God, then the people. Together we are going to make a change.'' Dr. Brown, who criticised Government for showing a "lack of leadership'' and called the United Bermuda Party politically dead, said change will only come through work.

"And,'' he said, "if you're not willing to work, as Malcolm X said, get back in the alley, because this Progressive Labour Party train is on the way.'' Reciting the first verse of the late Bob Marley's "Redemption Song'', he also urged young people to realise that they do have the power to make a change.

But Mr. Edness, who represents Warwick West, said the only platform the PLP has is name calling.

"Hollow calls and empty promises do not deal with the serious issues facing our country,'' he said. "And people who have been away from Bermuda by choice for 28 years do not hold any magic formula for change -- just fancy words.

"Before the Progressive Labour Party and its would-be overseas politicians can become credible alternatives to the UBP, the Country needs to hear their answers to the following questions: What is the PLP's plan for managing the economy of this Island -- heretofore never put forward by the PLP? What is your plan for taxation? Will you increase our taxes to provide for all the wonderful things you have promised -- like purchasing hotels or creating a national arts and sports institution? How does the PLP plan for educating our children differ from the UBP's? and "You say health care in Bermuda is a mess. The system in which you practice in the US is even a bigger mess with health care beyond the reach of 30 million people -- how do you propose to change our health care system?" "It is time that the Progressive Labour Party and its fast-talking overseas candidates, especially from California, dealt with the serious issues we are trying to resolve in this country,'' Mr. Edness said, "instead of demonstrating they are bereft of meaningful programmes by calling other political parties names.

"The Bermuda voter considers name calling an insult to their intelligence.'' Responding to Dr. Brown's statements, Mr. Edness said voters should ask the doctor, who still has a clinic in Los Angeles clinic: Where will you represent me, in California or Bermuda? and Where will you be when we need to see you or call you? Do I have to call California? Mr. Edness also said: "The UBP is not dead -- it is alive and well and working for the welfare of Bermudians during this very difficult recessionary year.

"And we will continue to resolve the problems that very often confront a small nation such as ours''.