“The One Bermuda Alliance has always been prepared to sit down and have a discussion with Bermuda and with any representative of the PLP if they so wish to talk about the issues of this country,” Mr Cannonier said when asked if he would go head to head with the Premier in a pre-election debate.“We’ve been in discussions already concerning a potential debate. We are in discussions already as we speak.”Southampton East candidate Jon Brunson added: “The Government has had ample opportunity to have open debate and discussion in the direction they’d like to see Bermuda go.“Unfortunately, the way in which they operate is not necessarily from a position of transparency. And typically it’s a reactive position in which we the OBA and you the public have had to take it or leave it.”But Mr Brunson added that, as an election looms, “the greatest debate and dialogue” is with the constituents.A Progressive Labour Party spokesperson recalled that the issue had been raised “some months ago” by Shadow Finance Minister Bob Richards."The PLP has always been eager to engage in a thorough and substantive debate with the opposition. If you recall, the idea was first proposed by Bob Richards some months ago, prior to Mr Cannonier getting his sea legs in Parliament and feeling comfortable enough to be so bold. At that time the Premier made it clear that if there was to be a debate it would be between the leaders of the respective parties,” the spokesperson said.“While we are eager to engage the Opposition in a substantive debate, the Government is right now on the cusp of launching its Speech from the Throne, and we will not be drawn into any gimmicks that will distract from our important duty to inform the country of the Government’s plans to continue to move this country forward during these challenging times.“When the Premier decides it is appropriate to call an election she will be happy to invite Mr Cannonier to debate the issues, but until then we will continue to stand strong for Bermudians as the Government."In a television broadcast last evening, Mr Cannonier called on the country to “have faith” in his party to move the Island in a “new and better direction”.Nothing will have changed after today’s Throne Speech, he said.Government’s “fifth Throne Speech since the last election” will be “full of well-meaning words and promises”, Mr Cannonier said.“The Government will do all it can to tell you it has the answers, but the truth is the day after the speech, Bermuda will still be $1.4 billion in debt, families will still be struggling to make ends meet, parents will still be worried for the safety of their children, businesses will still continue to struggle, and thousands will still be without a job, or scared of losing their jobs.”Recalling Hurricane Fabian, Mr Cannonier called on the country to come together to overcome its challenges.“We faced it as a community, as neighbours, helping each other rise out of the damage. People helping people, pulling together,” he said.“That’s how Bermudians have solved our biggest problems for generations, and that’s what we need today more than ever.”The Opposition leader said that many “are deeply anxious, losing hope and falling behind”.“Their lives are getting harder, and Government isn't speaking to them. I talk with mothers who cannot understand how the Government lost touch with the needs of families,” he said.“We can change this. We can restore hope and caring, but it requires a fresh start that gets us moving forward together.”He urged his audience to make their vote count.“You can use your vote to say you refuse to be taken for granted. And you can demand that your Government deliver better results for you. In the end it comes down to each one of us,” he said.“Because if we don’t demand, if we don’t apply that pressure, we are going to be the first generation to leave our children a Bermuda that’s worse than the one we were given.”He added that the OBA was committed to “building a new society with social and economic equity that works for everyone, connected to values that lift us all together, leaving no one behind”.He continued: “The challenges we face are urgent and severe, threatening the very foundations of our Island.“I believe in my heart we can rise above them, but it will require faith in who we are, and a willingness to work together. That's why I ask you to have faith in our OBA team.“We have the energy, ideas and solutions to get this Island moving in a new and better direction.”Today’s Throne Speech will, in fact, be the Government’s sixth since the last election. Following the Progressive Labour Party’s second victory at the polls on December 18 2007, parliament did not convene until February 2008. As a result there were two Throne Speeches that year — in February and again in November.Premier Paula Cox has indicated that the election will be held this year, fuelling speculation that she will announce the election date soon after the Speech is read, following the convening of Parliament. Parliament will be dissolved as soon as the writ is dropped.Almost five years ago to the day, then Premier Ewart Brown called the election for December 18, 2007, hours after the Throne Speech, which promised a “more prosperous Bermuda”, was read by then acting Governor Mark Capes.At almost seven weeks that election campaign was considered long by Bermuda standards.Campaigns have been as short as 22 days in the past, but Parliamentary Registrar Randy Scott has indicated that his office would need at least 33 days to prepare for an election.OBA insiders say that Mr Cannonier does not expect to prepare a Reply to the Throne Speech but is already working on an election call speech.“We all know that the election is imminent and what I find interesting is we’re going through the pomp and circumstance of a reconvening of Parliament when we need to be going to the polls,” is all Mr Cannonier would say.