Progressive Labour Party.

Opposition Leader Mr. Frederick Wade said in an interview conducted yesterday and excerpted here that he was sure the Island was now "psychologically'' ready for a PLP Government.

And the 53-year-old veteran politician declared: "This is probably our best shot at winning.'' In the first in a Royal Gazette series of interviews with the leaders of the Island's three political parties he also said the myths and fears about a PLP Government were being swept away amid people's rising fury at the present leadership.

President-elect Bill Clinton's landslide election triumph in the United States boded well for the PLP.

Mr. Wade said his party was assembling one of its strongest ever team of candidates.

They represented workers and management -- something the United Bermuda Party could not boast.

This was crucial in cementing labour relations which had plummeted disastrously under the UBP.

"We have the skills, the experience and the drive to take over Government.

All we need is for the people to have the courage to elect us,'' said Mr.

Wade.

And once elected, the PLP would set about reuniting the Country, he added.

Mr. Wade described the UBP's record of Government as a "comedy of errors.'' A major PLP policy would be to bond race relations -- which he said were now at their worst stage since the 1960s.

Mr. Wade said legislation would be passed to beef up Human Rights laws.

"The whole issue of race will be brought up from under the carpet,'' he said.

Mr. Wade stressed Bermuda also had to lay the groundwork to tap a resurgence in America's economy under Mr. Clinton.

It was important to act now and get the Island's tourism strategy in shape.

The PLP would launch a "value for money'' campaign, pressing for reasonable hotel prices.

The departure tax and the controversial airport strip searches would be swept away.

Mr. Wade said he would fire those responsible of subjecting visitors to humiliating searches. Customs officers would be trained to act properly.

The PLP would also commit itself to Bermudianisation, clamp down on immigration and increase training.

Other PLP measures included bringing in an unemployment scheme.

Mr. Wade, leader since 1985, was reluctant to contemplate the unthinkable -- a PLP election defeat.

Asked whether he would resign, he said: "I would leave that decision to the party.'' He added: "At the moment life couldn't be better. Politically I feel very satisfied. I'm in good health, and I also have three wonderful children. I'm having a ball!'' Question: The PLP has fought seven elections since 1968, and lost each one. What does your party have to do to win? Answer: I think people are now blaming present leaderships throughout the world for the recession. They blame the incumbents -- and correctly. They are the ones who have been in power...I think it takes time for people to get used to the idea of replacing those who have run our Country -- the United Bermuda Party and Front Street merchants, and the big institutions. I think people are ready now to accept the PLP have the brains to form the Government, and do a better job...I believe the PLP deserves the Nobel Peace prize for all its achievements, in pulling Bermuda into the 20th century. We have been at the forefront of all the change in bringing integration.

Q: Would the PLP change the current voting system? A: The voting system is against us. There should be one man for one seat.

Constituencies should be based on population, not parishes. That would be fairer. It would also lead to a smaller House of Assembly.

Q: The UBP has criticised the PLP for not planning to field a full slate of election candidates. Do you think the PLP, as a party striving for Government, has an obligation to field 40 candidates? A: We are not finished. We haven't announced our full slate of candidates. We are waiting for the Government and the National Liberal Party to announce their candidates. For the first time we are ahead of the Government. We have gone as far as we want to go now. I don't know whether we will field 40 candidates. It depends on tactics. There is no hard and fast rule about fielding one candidate. Sometimes it's an advantage. Miss Jennifer Smith, for instance, has done very well by herself in St. George's North.

Q: Your slate of 31 candidates has come under fire for not including any whites or Portuguese. Why has the PLP consistently failed to represent the demographic make-up of Bermuda? A: We are not racist in the PLP. We don't look at things in terms of black and white. Our policies have never been that way. Candidates are selected on their merits.

Q: How do you answer UBP criticism of your candidate selection process? A: In their system the UBP tell the voters who they can vote for. They screen out candidates first, and then allow only some people to run. They have the facade of a primary. It isn't very democratic at all. Our system is far more democratic and I'm very satisfied with it.

Q: This week your party cancelled its delegates conference because it was interfering with its pre-election drive. Would you explain how the conference was going to interfere? A: We made a decision the election was going to be in November 19 back in the summer and acted on that decision. We put our party on an election footing. We wondered whether it would be a good idea to have 100 people sitting up from 7 p.m. until midnight discussing reports and resolutions, relating to constitutional matters. We would rather go out to our districts and get to work...there is no question of us being in a state of paranoia about an election.

Q: What has the Premier the Hon. Sir John Swan or the UBP done to convince you that an election is around the corner? A: The Premier has always called an election after three years. The signs have been there, and are still there. He has written letters to the young people; he ordered a canvass; the primaries are finished. What was the rush to pick their candidates before Christmas. If I was in Sir John's shoes I would pick an election now. There is a recession on, and there is a prospect of a bleak winter. I would call one now.

Q: In contemplating a pre-Christmas snap election, what is your assessment of Government's record? A: Their record is miserable. It's dismal. For our Government that knew there would be a recession, they have done very little to demonstrate they know how to deal with it. There is still no coherent policy. The last two budgets have taken us deeper into recession. The whole tax package directed at the hotel owners to increase their purchases demonstrates a lack of understanding...the education programme has been a stop-start comedy of errors. No Education Minister in Britain would have survived. Drugs and crime have not been dealt with. Right across the board the UBP have failed.

Q: Last week you said race relations were at their lowest ebb since the 1960s.

How can the situation improve? A: It's worse than it ever was. We are going downhill. Part of the problem is the recession. With a white person in a job and a black out, it can lead to tension...I don't think the UBP are really interested in the issue. Bermuda needs a Government which has the will to deal with the race issues. Racism is largely institutionalised. It is in the system.

Q: Is the PLP the best agent to bring this about? A: The PLP has the will to persuade the white community to be more interested in solving our race relations problems, and taking more interest in community events, such as Labour Day. One would have thought the Government would have more say in persuading white people to attend. Nobody in the UBP cares about integration. They are just not interested.

Q: How would the PLP handle labour relations? A: We have people in our party of different classes, professions, and persuasions. We have candidates across the board. Mr. Jimmy Williams (St.

George's North) is from the management side and Mr. Otti Simmons (Pembroke East) represents workers. We are better placed to act as honest brokers in labour relations. We are the best group to do that. It's one of our strong points. Labour relations have been disastrous recently.

Q: Is the PLP trying to move towards the political centre by its recent statement it believed in the private sector? A: We've always believed in the private sector. It's this sector which makes our Country work. It's the Government that messes it up. Government doesn't run the hotels and restaurants. What Government should do is provide an environment for business to thrive.

Q: There are rumours your caucus is not unified, that there is tension between new members and long-serving MPs? A: We are very unified and homogenous. We meet regularly, and have a very healthy group. It's very satisfying. We have one of the best team of candidates ever. We have a good mixture, and we get on very well. We like each other. Not only do we work well together, we get along socially.

Q: Two years ago, you suffered a heart attack. What is your state of health? A: Yes I've a heart condition, but I've stopped smoking and drinking, and I take things easier. I'm more health conscious than I was before. I haven't felt this good for a long time. Everything is upbeat. I'm enjoying life.

Q: What is your vision for Bermuda? A: A PLP Government with independence down the road. We have operational unity between the races, with mutual respect. Blacks and whites should be able to build lives together, work together and play together. A lot of things will change if the PLP are elected. My vision is attainable. Bermuda needs the courage to face the truth.

READY -- Opposition Leader Mr. Frederick Wade.