holiday to celebrate their election victory last month.

Shadow Development and Opportunity Minister Alan Marshall told the House of Assembly he had been called by "many small business owners'' complaining about what the January 4 break will cost them.

He said: "I don't want to burst the Government's bubble -- but it would be remiss of me not to comment on this holiday.'' He reminded the ruling PLP of its campaign pledge to consult and work with the community -- especially the business sector.

Mr. Marshall said: "The announcement of the holiday took place without any consultation with the business community.

"This holiday certainly doesn't attest to these two pledges, working with and consulting with business.'' And he said he was concerned at the cost of the day off -- including overtime for Government workers and lost commissions for sales staff.

But Government backbencher Randy Horton said: "The Government continues to flog a dead horse. The people of Bermuda deserve that holiday.

"I just wish the Opposition would accept the fact that celebrating the holiday is good for Bermuda.'' And Development and Opportunity Minister Terry Lister accused the Opposition of "bleating''.

He added no-one had contacted him to complain about the expense to business of the holiday.

Mr. Lister -- to jeers from the Opposition -- said: "This is Bermuda's holiday. This is not the PLP's holiday.

"It requires a vision -- and that's what's lacking, that's why they're over there and we're over here.''