Mr. Speaker, the United Bermuda Party believes that a modern review of our constitution would include: Complete and entire openness about the details about what is proposed.

Widespread public debate A constitutional conference A referendum by the people Why are these basic rights too much to ask for, Mr. Speaker? The people of this country want these rights. These principles enhance democracy. They are worth the time and effort. The promise of one public meeting is by no means sufficient. Much more is needed to involve the people of Bermuda to ensure that they buy into the changes the government proposes, and ensure that the people support them. These are basic expectations of citizens in most democratic countries. Why does this PLP Government resist these principles so vigorously? And if anybody should argue that the United Bermuda Party is quibbling about `process', a way of doing things, rather than substance - let me remind them that democracy itself is a process. Democracy is a way of doing things. So is a dictatorship.

To quote Lord Irvine again, on the way New Labour in the UK approaches constitutional change: `The United Kingdom Government believes that it is not enough simply to put measures reforming the constitution, the justice system, or any other area of public policy on to the statute book. We must work through a coherent programme of reform, based on sound principles. Only in this way can the benefits be real and lasting. That is why we have taken great care to consult widely, to encourage public debate, and to involve as many different groups and individuals in the process of policy making as possible'.

Mr. Speaker, the United Bermuda party believes that efforts to modernise the constitution, in line with modern international practice, would also include: A freedom of information provision; guaranteeing the people of this country access to information about their government. This PLP Government apparently does not trust the people to know what it does and what it plans to do. It is a right, however, that those modern democracies enshrine in their constitutions.

It should include comprehensive protection of human rights.

It should include constitutional improvements such as those being implemented in the UK by the British Labour Party, designed to ensure that Parliament more accurately reflects the popular vote of the people of Bermuda.

We should look at strengthening the independence of the judiciary to ensure appointments to the bench remain free from political influence through the manipulation of funding.

It is also clear -- painfully clear -- that any modernising of Bermuda's constitution should include provisions on how changes in Bermuda's constitution are made. It is now clear -- painfully clear -- that any assumptions in the past that constitutional change would be made after thorough and detailed consultation not only with constitutional experts but with the people of Bermuda, was misguided and naive.

Mr. Speaker, in the coming legislative session, the United Bermuda Party will oppose secrecy. It will insist that the public's business be carried out in public, where it belongs. And it will fight any effort of the elected to run roughshod over the electors.

The United Bermuda Party will support projects and plans that have at their foundation the public good -- that reflects the public's needs and wishes. It will vigorously oppose those projects and plans that serve only to inflate the egos and increase the power of the Government itself.

A FIASCO IN TOURISM In few areas has so much been needed, and so little been accomplished, as in tourism.

This PLP Government, in its self-congratulatory Throne Speech, claims to have `laid a solid foundation for the rebirth of tourism'.

This PLP Government failed to mention, however, that air arrivals are now at their lowest level in 21 years. That air arrivals this year alone were down 6.3 per cent by the end of August. That the fly-cruise-stay programme is a failure. That after two years, there is still no overall cruise policy. That there is still no air service strategy. That there is no measurable marketing plan to replace the disastrous ad campaign of 1999. This PLP Government's promised `100-day rescue mission' has turned into a 750 day `mission impossible'.

A United Bermuda Party government would focus on the Bermuda product and the infrastructure -- on facilities, and service and activities during the coming year. There is important work to be done right here at home. We believe that it is important to focus on plans and strategies to stop this tragic decline in an industry that is so important to this country and its workers. Everyone knows that the world has opened its doors to tourism and Bermuda must redefine its competitiveness against global competitors for market share. We in Bermuda must start paying more attention to improving the product here, encouraging competitiveness and facilitating change. It's about having a new attitude! A United Bermuda Party government would continue the support for the Monitor programme. We also believe that a Tourism Authority would allow the private and public sectors to develop a shared vision -- both philosophically and financially -- for a real rebirth of tourism.

Mr. Speaker, in our Reply to the Budget earlier this year, we noted that the net result of spending an extra $5.7 million on extravagant travel, entertainment and promotion in tourism was attracting 10,000 fewer visitors.

As already indicated, the bad tourism news has gotten even worse.

INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS Under the PLP Government, Bermuda's economy has become increasingly dependent on international business for jobs, revenue and foreign currency earnings. Yet in spite of our new dependency on international business, this economic sector rates barely a mention in the Throne Speech.

Instead of reassuring our nervous international business community, that supplies many jobs to Bermudians, this PLP Government has significantly increased fees and taxes, increased red tape and created work permit delays.

A UBP Government would capitalise on the superior ratings Bermuda has received from the OECD, the FATF and the KPMG Report, which recognised Bermuda's long history of effective financial regulation, prudent management of the company formation process and strong partnership with the business community. Even though large onshore jurisdictions and the G7 countries continue to hammer away at the offshore financial community, we in the UBP would join hands with the International businesses already here to fight outside influences that could jeopardise their Bermuda presence.

A UBP Government would maintain a quality-driven, competitive business environment in order to keep the economic engine of this island moving forward. It is what pays for the social programmes we all want and need, and provides opportunities that allow all people, from all sectors of our community, to follow their dreams.

The Minister of Finance claimed two years ago that this PLP Government would fund its projects from savings achieved by eliminating waste and inefficiency.

It hasn't happened. Instead the people of Bermuda were hit with huge tax increases and heavy spending on capital projects.

The Minister has been sitting on a comprehensive tax review for two years and promised in the PLP Government's first budget to spell out its tax policy. It hasn't happened. The Minister promised a duty-free retail environment for local merchants. It hasn't happened.

The Minister should have released the specific commitments he made to the OECD on behalf of Bermuda and the business community. It hasn't happened. The PLP Government has kept everyone in the dark.

MEANINGFUL OPPORTUNITY Mr. Speaker, the United Bermuda Party believes that to create meaningful opportunity in the Information Technology Age, we must remove the barriers that prevent real participation. To that end, we support the E-Commerce initiatives that are being promoted by the Government. We believe that in order to broaden the development of this third pillar of our economy, a United Bermuda Party Government would create a subsidy programme to provide free internet access to children of low income families. This step would go a long way in levelling the playing field at a much earlier stage in our children's lives.

We also believe that it is time to modernise the voting system by allowing on-line voting. Information Technology is moving so rapidly, that Bermuda must not fall behind. We should encourage the private sector to foster the development of `web-phone' including services that allows e-mail messaging on cellular telephone screens.

Most importantly, we believe that the time has come for the Government to create the incentives with the Telecommunications companies to offer discounted rates for senior citizens, invalids and shut-ins.

Mr. Speaker, this unwillingness to keep promises, this unwillingness to trust the people of this country with basic information, is standing in the way of making this country the fairer and more modern democracy this PLP Government claims to want.

When the United Bermuda Party established CURE, it was with our hope that unity, diversity and equality of opportunity could all co-exist. That dream remains unfulfilled.

The UBP agrees that the Country needs a thorough and detailed knowledge of the breakdown of Bermuda's workforce in order to overcome the racial inequities that still plague our island. But the clumsy introduction of the CURE legislation, without the necessary prior involvement and input of those people affected, caused needless delays, resentments and fears, not to mention loss of credibility and increased resistance to the important work that needs to be done.

The UBP urges government to begin an intense and vigorous education initiative in the business community, not only on CURE and the reasons CURE is necessary but also on Good Employment Practices, on Human Rights legislation, and on the Consumer Protection Act as well.

At the same time, the UBP recognises that a more fair society will not miraculously emerge through taking surveys, polls, and chastisement. We must build opportunities -- and not just theoretical ones. Not handouts, or favours for political cronies, but genuine long-term opportunities to grow and develop, to earn real money and win a rightful share of the pie, for all of our people.

Among other measures, a United Bermuda Party Government would work to ensure that every child in Bermuda has access to a computer at home as well as at school.

A United Bermuda Party Government would work to guarantee that every Bermudian child who aspires to a college education receives necessary funding to do so by ensuring that all students are guided towards quality colleges. By attending colleges or Universities of repute, it will eliminate the disparity that prevents many of our graduates from having the requisite skills they need to compete -- and compete successfully -- for the best jobs and best opportunities Bermuda has to offer.

A United Bermuda Party Government would provide attractive employment incentives to businesses that put Bermudians in apprenticeship programmes. We would create a Leadership Bermuda Initiative in partnership with the Bermuda College and the business community - to develop Bermudian leaders not just for business but in all walks of life.

A United Bermuda Party Government would establish a Careers Foundation, to financially help Bermudians who want to study in professions where the island has an over-abundance of imported labour, such as accountants, lawyers, actuaries, underwriters and architects.

And the United Bermuda Party would establish a Venture Capital Fund with the private sector, to provide funding for small business endeavours. It is small businesses that will, with the right encouragement and support, become the major money-earners of the future. Equality of opportunity and our diversity are fundamental to the United Bermuda Party's belief, that some exciting prospects are available for all Bermudians, offering a chance for improved quality of life.

TRUST AND LEARNING Mr. Speaker, we are working towards documenting inequities in opportunities and accomplishments in the workforce. But this PLP Government still refuses to make real and public comparisons of inequities in the education system.

A UBP government would implement full public disclosure of performance measures at each school, including exam results, attendance, teacher qualifications and principal qualifications. These are important and vital steps -- to erasing problems and inequities, which leave some children with educational advantages that others do not enjoy. As in the workplace, until the accurate facts are laid on the table there is too little incentive and too little public pressure for the system to correct itself. These facts are sometimes painful. But these students are our children. This is our education system. We have a right -- and an obligation -- to know what is going on. And it is only by knowing what is going on that meaningful improvements can be made.

Mr. Speaker, the Minister of Education expects us to trust him with our children, but this PLP Government does not trust the people of Bermuda enough to give them basic information on how their children are doing in school.

The opportunity for improvement remain almost endless. A UBP government would recommend increasing focus on the Bermuda College becoming an adult education institution. We would establish a new post of Parent Activities Coordinator in every school, specifically responsible for bringing parents into the school family and arranging activities for them. We would achieve this without extra cost to the already heavily burdened taxpaying public by implementing a complete revision of the system of education administration in this country.

PUBLIC SAFETY This PLP Government's distance from the public, and from the urgent needs of the public, is starkly apparent in the area of public safety. The Throne Speech last year promised to review legislation dealing with identity parades, but it hasn't happened. Community Policing was trumpeted in the Progressive Labour Party's election manifesto, and Throne Speech, and again, it hasn't happened. Community Policing is non-existent because without the necessary resources, the Police are unable to do their jobs effectively.

This PLP Government promised in last year's Throne Speech that a Halfway House would become `a reality'. It hasn't happened. Alternatives to Incarceration was launched with great fanfare with a luncheon at the Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute. Where is the programme? It's not happening! Where is the commitment? Why is the public not informed about what's going on? New sentencing options and substance abuse programmes were promised, but they haven't happened. Enhanced rehabilitation programmes were promised in last year's Throne Speech...but it hasn't happened.

Speeding and unsafe driving is an increasing problem. Speed detection cameras were promised last year, but the promise has not been kept.

IMMIGRATION ISSUES A review of work permit policies was promised and has been too slow in coming.

Some policies have been changed without informing the public, which has caused widespread concern and frustration. Businesses continue to be hampered by excessive waits for work permit approval, while information and feedback from the Immigration Department has been poor.

HOUSING OPPORTUNITIES Mr. Speaker, it is a basic responsibility of Government to ensure that all people are adequately housed. Housing shortages occur from time to time in a small place like Bermuda, and they require a prompt response.

As this latest housing shortage became apparent, more than two years ago, the United Bermuda Party produced a plan to build 100 two and three bedroom houses in cluster formats at different locations throughout the Island, which families with low incomes could rent, and it would have solved the initial crisis quickly.

A United Bermuda Party Government plan to offer for sale 54 renovated homes at Southside in St David's would have been consistent with our philosophy of encouraging home ownership, which would free up additional rental stock as renters advanced to become homeowners.

Mr. Speaker, seniors who no longer need to live in the large houses they have, would have been encouraged to take part in the Shared Housing concept, and 50 new homes for Seniors would have been created at Southside, in cooperation with the Bermuda Housing Trust.

The renovation of derelict homes, and the provision of low-interest financing for owners of derelict homes, would have continued under a UBP Government, along with the Bermuda Housing Corporation's Private Sector Rental Programme, and Private Sector Mortgage Programme.

This PLP Government has been slow in achieving any housing relief. People who were crying out for housing two years ago, are still waiting for adequate and affordable housing today. This is unacceptable. The government promised the people that a solution would be found, and the people trusted them. The PLP Government committed itself to taking `early steps' to alleviate the suffering of families as a result of inadequate housing. But it hasn't happened.

At the same time, the longstanding problems with over-development have not been dealt with by this PLP Government, where Government Members of Parliament and their associates apparently face less rigorous planning and development rules than the rest of us. Preserving our environment requires a willingness to exercise restraint and adhere to restrictions. It also requires respect for the greater needs of the community, and for the needs of future generations.

To this end, the United Bermuda Party is heartened that the Environment Minister now intends to adopt our 1998 plan to improve the Railway Trail and link it in an `Emerald Necklace' with the numerous parks scattered around the Island.

INVOLVEMENT OF YOUNG AND OLD Mr. Speaker, the United Bermuda Party encourages an expansion of programmes to help our top rung athletes. We need to establish sports mentoring relationships with successful colleges, establish athletic youth camps, increase the number of international competitions held in Bermuda, and help clubs achieve their potential as financially viable social centres as well as on the sports field.

This must go hand in hand with efforts to help and encourage the involvement of all our people to promote physical exercise and competition, which could involve such simple pursuits as inter-parish contests with go-carts, cycle racing, marbles or kite-flying. Community involvement increases personal pride, helps foster national pride, and can help bring our young people and families together.

More attention needs to be paid also to the needs of the Island's seniors, who are expected to number 7,500 within ten years. That means fewer people in the workforce, fewer people to pay taxes, and fewer people to care for more elderly parents and relatives. Forward thinking strategies must be put in place to deal with this phenomenon.

The United Bermuda Party recommends that seniors be allowed to remain in group health insurance programmes beyond their retirement; that purpose-built nursing facilities for seniors be constructed; and that day care facilities for the elderly be expanded. Government must increase social insurance payments. Mandatory retirement as a result of age discrimination at age 65 needs to be abolished; our seniors should be given that choice and Bermuda as a whole will benefit from their contributions.

We also need to ensure that our health system is improving, not slipping into a slow decline. The last two years have been punctuated by reports of staff shortages and financial problems at King Edward, the dismissal of the Arthur Anderson health care strategy implementation staff and a failure so far to make significant moves towards increased outpatient and home care. Medical costs, including prescription prices, are a major source of concern to large segments of Bermuda.

Mr. Speaker, my colleagues and I have no shortage of opinions, and no shortage of plans, and we will address them as the opportunity arises in the days and the weeks ahead. However, all of this is meaningless if we do not take the time and the care to develop the correct constitutional framework.

The issue is not one person one vote, as this PLP Government would have you believe, but whether this government will dictate the country's future on its own or whether it is willing to put its trust in the people.

TRUST THE PEOPLE Mr. Speaker, I said I would speak frankly and bluntly.

The challenges, competition and opportunities of the world are more intense and more exciting than ever before. Our own people are smarter, better educated and more sophisticated than ever before. They are dynamic and diverse, and they will not be held back. They cannot be ignored. They must be respected. They must be trusted. They are the real and genuine New Bermuda.

And their quest to build a better world for themselves and others must not be stifled by an approach to government that, despite its rhetoric, is mired in the political narrowness of the past, in defensiveness and fear.

Bermuda can and should be a great Island. Our Government should not be too untrusting to reach out to all of the people or too arrogant to welcome their involvement in the decisions that lie before us.

We have travelled far, overcome many obstacles as a people. But still we face fundamental choices about the sort of society we want to be, and what kind of leadership we want to have.

This is not a choice about the colour of our government. It is not even a choice about what political party forms the government of the day.

The choice is whether we will give the people good government, open government -- with all the tasks and duties and opportunities that involves -- or an isolated, defensive and untrusting government that points our people backwards towards a political past we so desperately need to rise above.

Coverage of yesterday's debate in the House of Assembly will appear in Moday's edition of The Royal Gazette .