British MP Oona King blasted the Opposition at the weekend labelling them "disrespectful to democracy'' when she spoke at the annual Progressive Labour Party banquet.

In a politically-charged speech, the Labour backbencher, in Bermuda just a couple of days, was scathing towards the United Bermuda Party, claiming they would be spending a long time in opposition.

She said their historic boycott of the Throne Speech at the opening of Parliament on Friday, in protest at Government's lack of community involvement in the proposed changes to the Constitution, was discourteous to the democratic proceedings.

And she backed Government's plans to alter the Constitution, asking: "What's the big deal?'' At the glitzy dinner at the Southampton Princess on Saturday night, 32-year-old Ms King received a standing ovation for her eight-page speech in which she likened the PLP to the British Labour Government and said they were each trying to solve the same kind of problems.

And she said underpinning both systems of government was a strong and fair democracy.

She added: "So I wonder what the Opposition were doing yesterday because they were not showing any respect for democracy.

"I don't think we have anything to worry about because it looks like they are going to spend not just another 35 years in opposition, but 70 years in opposition.'' Yesterday, the United Bermuda Party hit back at the comments, claiming Ms King had been "political in the extreme''.

However, the Labour MP, who was invited to attend the banquet as the after dinner speaker by Premier Jennifer Smith, said during her address that she was sorry to make such political statements, but said if she could not say them at a political rally, such as the one on Saturday night, when could she.

And she said she was delighted to be in Bermuda because of the progressive politics and described the 1998 General Election as "historic''.

She said: "I want to put on record how amazed I am at what has happened here and how much the political landscape has been transformed.'' She said she was pleased to hear Government's Throne Speech, particularly the issues relating to modernisation and the ensuring of equal rights in Bermuda.

And she backed the Government's controversial plans to change the Constitution.

She said: "Make Bermuda a true democracy, one person one vote -- each vote of equal value. What is the big deal? "It's only democracy. How does it take so long?.... "If your voting system is not fair, you will never have equal rights.

Opposition under fire "I believe the people of Bermuda are completely behind the changes. Well, not necessarily 100 percent because we will always have the opposition.'' Ms King said she believed the PLP had "a date with destiny'' and said with Jennifer Smith at the helm, Bermuda was a "beacon to the world'' and was on course to completing its task in ensuring human rights for all and equal opportunities.

And she said the PLP and the British Labour Government must not throw away their opportunities to govern.

She added: "Being in Government is hard. It's so much easier to stand on the sidelines whining.'' And she said Labour Governments had to do the job much better than other parties because the media all over the world was always ready to gun left-wing governments down.

Yesterday, Opposition MP John Barritt, UBP spokesman on Legislative Affairs, defended his party's decision to boycott the Throne Speech on Friday and described Ms King's comments as "naive political rhetoric''.

He added: "This is a democracy and we have a right to protest. We believe we protested in a dignified and civilised way. We did not walk out -- we simply did not join in.

"We did not make disparaging remarks about the Queen or the Governor, or anybody else.

"We did not throw tea in the harbour, we did not throw the Parliamentary Mace out of the window and we did not suggest that we reduce the Governor's salary to a dollar.

"It's surprising really that a Labour Party which has in the past supported the withdrawal of labour in protest would take issue with our protest.'' The Premier, who may be facing a leadership challenge this week, gave presentations on Saturday at the 33rd PLP annual banquet, but did not make a speech.

However, despite talk of a challenge for the top job, she received a warm and encouraging response from the audience, at the weekend, including a standing ovation.

During the evening a toast was made to the people of the UK, followed by a toast to the people of Bermuda.

And special thanks was given to party chairman Victor Fishington, who has decided not to stand again this year at the party election on Thursday. He was presented with a special plaque by the Premier, which is given to the most outstanding party member each year.

St. George's branch of the PLP received this year's members plaque for signing up the most new members.