The Progressive Labour Party platform released last week is, at first glance, an impressively thick document weighing in at some 40 pages, and covering everything from the economy to youth issues.The theme of the document, with a collage of the faces of Bermudians on the cover and scattered throughout, emphasises the PLP's themes of “Standing Strong for Bermudians”.Because this election campaign started long before the official launch four weeks ago, and because the PLP did roll out a number of initiatives in the Throne Speech in November, there is not very much that is new in this document.The party does propose turning the Bermuda College into a university/college, there are plans to build more seniors homes and there are other smaller initiatives.Other big ideas that have already been flagged up include the plans to abolish conscription.But on the economy, the platform is regrettably thin.On the one hand, the PLP continues to try to take credit for the idea that the recession has not been worse, but having done that, it is difficult for it to then argue that it can set a new course to get the Island out of the mess it is in.So most of the proposals are disappointing. There is again, the drive to encourage Middle Eastern states to carry out Islamic finance from here. This is not a terrible idea; but it seems unlikely that it will become a new leg of the economy alongside insurance and tourism. It is more of a niche market.Similarly, the PLP places great stake on drawing investment from the Gulf states, and plenty of travel and effort has gone into this.The problem here is not a shortage of funds in the Middle East far from it but that Gulf Arabs are businessmen just as much as investors from the US or Europe are.They need to see a business plan that works and promises a decent return, and for now, the costs and problems of doing business in Bermuda remain too forbidding.The good idea that the PLP has finally grasped after much urging is the drive to attract more hedge and mutual funds to the Island.The global recession and local costs hurt the fund administration business that once filled several Hamilton office buildings, but Bermuda could be an ideal base for smaller trading operations who bring with them wealthy traders and back office staff.But the problem here is not in the platform, but in the continued schizophrenia that the PLP shows to the business world.On the one hand, the PLP claims it is rolling out the red carpet for business and recognises its importance.But then Vince Ingham, who is supposed to represent the moderate, pro-business wing of the PLP, attacks businesses for lacking a social conscience and sitting on secret piles of money.He is followed by Families Minister Glenn Blakeney, who claims that the PLP is pro-business, but will then accused businesses of lying (the impolite meaning of disingenuous).This is the PLP's real problem. Much of the business community has lost confidence in the PLP's ability to recognise just how bad the economy is, let alone to do anything about it. So global investors, international companies and local businesses are looking for some sign that the PLP gets it.But the PLP does not get it. It shows it in its refusal to consider structural change in the economy, and it shows it in its words to the public.As a result, confidence in the economy remains at historic lows, and as a result, businesses continue to restrain investment, run down inventories, keep staffing to a minimum and so on.What Bermuda needs is a renewal of confidence. But there is no confidence that the PLP can deliver it.