than a firework display, Shadow Finance Minister Grant Gibbons claimed.

And he predicted many who voted for the PLP would be disappointed at the lack of pyrotechnics in the new Government's debut financial blueprint.

But he added that much of the Budget followed guidelines laid down by the United Bermuda Party before it lost power last November. Dr. Gibbons said he was keeping his own powder dry for the Opposition's official reply to the House next Friday.

But he added: "I suppose imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.'' And he said: "What's interesting about it is what's not in the Budget -- it's not bold, it's not visionary and it will probably disappoint a lot of supporters -- and others -- who were hoping for a lot more.'' Gibbons labels Budget `non-event' Dr. Gibbons highlighted a lack of tax breaks for retailers and the putting off of a pledge to lessen the burden of import duties. And he said: "I would have thought retailers would have been quite disappointed after promises made by Minister of Tourism David Allen and Mr. Cox in their election campaign.'' He added: "A lot of people will be pleased about the Budget because it doesn't do much. They were concerned they get all sorts of draconian things in there.

"It's picked up a couple of things from the Throne Speech -- a reduction in school class sizes and twice-weekly garbage collection.

"But they've almost endorsed a lot of the programmes the UBP talked about in the election campaign and had actually started before then, which is gratifying.'' Dr. Gibbons cited the Bermuda Housing Corporation's plans for 100 new houses, a one-stop shop for senior citizens' benefits, a drugs court and prison half-way house as examples of UBP planning adopted by the new Government.

And he added additional spending on trying to "get a grip'' on health care expenditure followed the UBP's trend.

He said: "Those were things we put forward in the Keys to Partnership, so it's nice to have them ratified in the PLP Budget.'' Dr. Gibbons added that the PLP had also inherited a $54 million surplus on the Island's current account, after mandatory deductions for the pot of cash held against debts and payment of interest.

He said: "That's put them in a very good shape for the Budget, which will take effect in April.'' And he added that the UBP administration had ensured that this year was the first in more than a decade that showed a surplus on the current account and the capital account, which was used for major bricks and mortar investments.

Mr. Cox said after the Budget speech that America's economy -- a barometer for Bermuda's -- was doing well and forecasts for the economy allowed the PLP to spend more and not raise taxes.

But Dr. Gibbons said: "There is probably going to be a stock market correction of some sort in the US later this year and most economists are predicting a slowing-down of their economy, which has been performing better than expected.'' But he added: "It's probably a reasonable bet that our economy will perform well for a little bit longer. A major stock market correction, however, would impact on spending and travel and we would feel that very quickly.'' Dr. Gibbons summed up: "I would say the Budget was a non-event -- it's certainly a PLP Budget in that they presented it, but I was gratified they endorsed many of our programmes.''