More than 600 members and guest of the Bermuda Progressive Labour Party turned their 43rd Annual Banquet at Fairmont Southampton Princess Hotel a week ago into one big lively celebration.

It began with sustained applause for the new Party Leader and Premier of Bermuda, Hon. Paula A. Cox making a grand entry leaning on the arm of her tall husband Germain Nkeuleu with her characteristic million dollar smile, calm and coolness taking her place at the centre of the head table with other PLP "big wigs".

And the party ended with the lively playing of The Electric Slide, which one comedian has described as Bermuda new national anthem. It was indulged either by those who could dance or enjoyed by those who wished they could. In between, there were rounds of speeches, entertainment, a video presentation, the drinking of toasts and presentations of awards either by the Party Leader or chairman Anthony Santucci.

Until the Mount Zion AME Church Male Voice Choir took center stage, the feminine gender had the largest share of the night's agenda, with the Mistress of Ceremonies Sherrie J. Simmons, the well-known ZBM Radio talk show personality being the Mistress of Ceremonies; and the new Presiding Elder of the AME Church, the Rev. Betty Furbert-Woolridge invoking a blessing of both the Party and the four-course meal. Beautiful Solos were rendered by Madree Musson, Sasha Smith and Cindy Smith.

There was the brilliant introduction by former Premier Dame Jennifer Smith of the new Leader, Premier Paula, that brought the gathering to their feet.

Applause interrupted Ms.Cox many times during her address, even when she warned that it won't be business as usual under her money-saving administration: "It won't always be plain sailing for her restructured and reconfigured Government."

Her objective was not to be popular, she said.

"Indeed, some of the decisions of this new administration may not be everything that everyone has hoped for. But that, after all, is the nature of decision-making. It can seriously harm your popularity, but then again I'm not here to be popular."

Ms. Cox had praise for "The seamless transition that's marked the peaceful selection of the new party leader It speaks volumes about the political maturity and stability of our jurisdiction and our people, and it underlines just how blessed we are in comparison with other jurisdictions around the world," she said.