century, Opposition Leader Mr. Frederick Wade stressed yesterday.

Highlighting the party's platforms since 1963 and the strength of its leaders, Mr. Wade told Hamilton Lions at their weekly luncheon at The Princess the PLP has the qualities necessary to govern the Island.

And he expressed optimism that Bermuda "will be served well'' after the next election.

But Mr. Wade said it will take the right people and the right programmes to accomplish this.

"We will have two parties putting forward good candidates,'' he said, adding that the National Liberal Party may act as the referee. "But the PLP stands heads and shoulders above the rest.'' "We have put forward over the years many, many ideas which have been adopted by Government, in many cases many years later, and we take full credit for our ideas,'' Mr. Wade said, giving a list of ideas voiced by the party which ranged from its call for free compulsory secondary education in 1963 to its repeated suggestion since 1989 that a Ministry for International Business -- Bermuda's second economic pillar -- be set up.

"International business should be something Government is involved with intimately to make sure that the industry is ready to grow.

"It is important to us as tourism becomes more difficult to make work. We must make sure that international business becomes a stronger pillar. We cannot leave it to chance. We want to make sure that business gets top priority.'' Mr. Wade said since the party's inception it has put forward men and women of intelligence, skill and common sense as candidates for Parliament.

"There is no doubt that we have produced men and women of great character and courage,'' Mr. Wade said. "Our leaders challenged the mighty Front Street in the early `60s. They had no money, no status, and no education to speak of.

But they had dreams of creating a country where persons could rise to their fullest potential. The only tools were ideas.

"We have had amongst our leaders lawyers, teachers, businessmen, union leaders, civic leaders and housewives.

"These leaders have brought to Parliament wise leadership -- all be it as Opposition.

"Man for man and woman for woman the PLP has always withstood any comparison between UBP parliamentarians.'' And Mr. Wade said the PLP's "well-balanced'' team of "professionals, businessmen, civic leaders, union leaders, hoteliers and ordinary men and women'' brings a rich background to problems of Government.

"...Certainly in the fire of the present recession, unemployment, rising crime and drug abuse there is a need for leaders who can inspire people to believe in themselves, their families and their country. As a group we know that we are able to provide that spark that all Bermudians need to face the future with optimism.'' Mr. Frederick Wade.