The Progressive Labour Party must find a way to woo disaffected voters back into the political process through a concerted effort to inform and include them in the decision making process, a speaker said on Saturday.

And to do this the PLP has to go back to the democratic principles on which it was founded and ensure that all its members understand their importance.

Assemblywoman Barbara Clark of the 33rd Assembly District of Queens New York shared these thoughts with close to 250 people at the PLP's 28th conference banquet inside the Hamilton Princess hotel.

Mrs. Clark agreed to speak at the banquet after United States Congressman Donald Payne was unable to come because of the budget debate currently being waged in Congress.

In a 40-minute speech that was at one point interrupted by a fire alarm, Mrs.

Clark urged her audience to recommit themselves to the party's ideals.

She said such principles as adequate wages, improved working conditions, education and breaking of the glass ceiling were still necessary challenges today.

"The only way that we are ever going to do what we are about is to reaffirm our convictions to those issues that we've been true to over the years,'' she said. "We have sort of slipped in those areas.'' Furthermore, Mrs. Clark said that once the party has attracted previously apathetic or alienated people, every attempt must be made to make them feel included in the process.

And this means allowing them to bring ideas in. She said the PLP also needed to host forums where information can be synthesised and better understood.

Mrs. Clark said the strategy of waiting for the opposition to make mistakes and then capitalising on them was not in the PLP's best interest in the long run.

"We have to develop our own agendas,'' she added. "And this is where the courage, the conviction and the commitment will come in. We have to truly be committed as a proud resilient people to reject the repression that we have seen some of our people going through.'' Once the agenda is set, however, she said the PLP must be willing to "Police our own'' and deal with those persons who are doing things contrary to the party's principles.

"We've got to put those people on the spot who are willing to sell us out for 30 pieces of silver because that is what is happening.'' Moreover, once the PLP has set an agenda that is in line with its stated ideals and principles, the party must reach out and form coalitions with other like minded groups regardless of their race, ethnicity or religion.

"If we do that and come up with an agenda that is supportive of our ideals and principles over the years, then I believe we will be able to march into the 21st century a stronger people that have moved ourselves ahead without regressing very far.'' Ms Paula Cox and Mr. Walter Robaine were the joint recipients of the Leader's Gold Cup for their hard work and commitment to the PLP. Opposition leader Mr.

Frederick Wade said the trophy will be given out each year to individuals whose work for the party is exemplary.