election manifesto this week.

The unveiling takes place as delegates gather today for the annual week-long conference at Alaska Hall.

One of the highlights will be a keynote banquet speech by Miss Dianne Abbott -- the first black woman elected to the House of Commons in London, aged 33.

Today's gathering comes amid mounting speculation of the Premier pulling the election starting trigger before Christmas.

With their campaign bandwagon gathering momentum, the PLP today shows off their candidates in a full page ad in The Royal Gazette (Page 30).

Headed "Xchange them! vote PLP'', the ad carries photographs of 31 election hopefuls.

PLP leader Mr. Frederick Wade trumpets his "team of experienced leaders.'' And he adds: "It's your choice between `Xchanging' a Government which has led us to the brink of serious economic disaster and social decline and for a PLP Government with fresh ideas and the courage and integrity to take the bold steps necessary to lead Bermuda out of recession and into renewed growth and prosperity.'' Today's conference will see major planks of the PLP's election manifesto laid before branch delegates.

All the PLP candidates will also be introduced, and will participate in debate.

Social highlight of the week will be the annual conference banquet at the Princess Hotel, Pembroke.

Fiery keynote speaker Miss Abbott was recently returned for a second term by her 92,000-strong constituency, which embraces Hackney North and Stoke Newington.

The constituency -- one of the poorest districts in Britain -- consists mainly of blacks. There are also long-established Jewish, Irish, Asian, Greek and Turkish communities.

Miss Abbott, a Cambridge University history graduate, has made her mark in journalism and administration.

She has worked for the National Council for Civil Liberties, becoming the national race relations officer.

In journalism, she has worked in public relations and television.

She organised the first Black Media Workers Organisation in Britain, and produced the first directory of black journalists.