he pledged to take Bermuda into a new era of peace and prosperity.

Speaking at his first public engagement as Premier the Hon. David Saul spelled out his vision for the Island which he said was on the brink of an economic boom.

Dr. Saul also scotched any fears that the United Bermuda Party would not rally round and heal the divisions which emerged during the Referendum debate.

But he also appeared to indicate that no group or individual had the right to expect to serve in the Cabinet in the wake of the resounding "no'' vote on independence when almost 16,000 voted against the move.

He was speaking to members of the Sandys Rotary Club who gave the Premier a standing ovation, but also grilled him over the future of the Island and the UBP.

In his first public announcement on policy, Dr. Saul promised to reset Government priorities.

He also promised that the 111 points in the Government's blueprint would be achieved.

"The first priority is an outright attack on drugs and crime in the community,'' he said. "We are blessed with a new Police Commissioner and the Cabinet is going to support that Commissioner to the hilt.'' He said the new Cabinet post of Labour, Home Affairs and Public Safety would work to improve drug awareness and race relations, starting with education in the nursery schools.

"I can promise you we will find that an attack on crime will be successful,'' added the Premier.

Underpinning Dr. Saul's speech was a desire to bring peace and prosperity to the Island, cracking down on crime and bolstering tourism which, in turn, would lead to an explosion of economic activity bringing more jobs and getting back to full employment.

"We are on the brink of an economic breakthrough, the like of which we have never seen before,'' he said. "If we give value for money, people will come to the Island and the return of ten percent of our lands through the baselands will lead to new jobs, new challenges and new rewards.'' Dr. Saul said the Country had been through a "cathartic time'' with the referendum and independence debate and now it wanted the Government to go back to work.

The people, he said, wanted tranquillity in their Government, in the UBP and on their Island. He said the new Cabinet was united and would lead the country into a new era.

He scotched a question that the UBP had moved towards the right and said he was confident that if a motion of no confidence was tabled at the next Parliamentary session the Government would survive.

"I am not anticipating that such a vote will come. If there is a vote of confidence I can rest assured that the vote will lose. I have no doubt whatsoever.'' However, he added: "Anyone who feels that they now have a mandate given by 16,000 people that they should be the Government, that they should be in Cabinet, are badly mistaken and misled.

"To think they have a mandate of 16,000 people is a myth. I think we will find that time is going to be the answer to this.''