It is a "hallmark" of Bermuda's history, say supporters, but also a time for reflection as the Progressive Labour Party (PLP) celebrates its 40th anniversary throughout this year.

No one is surprised that Bermuda's first political party has come this far. But for some the achievements have been tinged with disappointments.

Former Secretary General Walter Roban says the fact that the party has survived 40 years is "a testament to determination, vigilance, a belief in social justice and democracy for Bermudians".

Social justice and democracy were sorely needed in the Bermuda of the early sixties which was dominated by a racist business and political oligarchy.

And while there were a number of groups seeking ways to transform the political and socio-economic landscape, it was a kitchen table conversation between Wilfred Allen and Edward DeJean that began the transition from protest politics to party politics.

Regarded as the visionary of the Island's progressive forces, Mr. Allen, a night operator at a guest house, provided the glue that brought the founders of the Progressive Labour Party together.

Hugh (Ryo) Richardson, an entrepreneur and a mechanic provided the meeting place in which the vision was nurtured - a garage on Serpentine Road. He and six other men - Wilfred Allen, lawyer Walter Robinson, guest house owner Dilton Cann, school teacher Eddie DeJean, contractor and labour union organiser Austin Wilson and Peter Smith, an immigration officer - met in that garage for countless hours of discussion.

Their plan was to form a party that would take over the government of Bermuda to directly address the Island's inequities which included its colonial relationship with Britain.

And when the party was finally formed on February 10, 1963, they and those who dared support it openly faced intimidation and scare tactics from the status quo. But the formation of the PLP meant the beginning of party politics in Bermuda as conservative forces already in power rallied together to form the United Bermuda Party.

"This is a hallmark of Bermuda's history," is Walter Roban's description of the party's 40th anniversary.

"We are the oldest political party, we have existed for many years facing the criticism of many quarters of the community for what we believed was right and what we campaigned for. We have reached the goal we set ourselves which was to be the government and bring wider opportunity and better quality of life for the people of the country and the PLP is well on its way to reaching those objectives that were the main ingredients of the vision of the founders of the party."

While men provided the initial impetus of the party, women were soon to begin playing an important role.

Attorney General Dame Lois Brown Evans has been with the party for just about all of its 40 years and laments the fact that it hasn't yet taken the country to independence, what she says is the "ultimate goal".

Dame Lois said she never had any doubts about the party reaching this milestone. "But I thought we would have reached independence. I was naive and very young... And I could have estimated that in 10 years we would be the government and as soon as possible afterward we would have approached England for independence."

Dame Lois described herself as a "small fry" among the first leaders. She said she was pleased that the party had survived "all kinds of trauma and I hope that they will still reach independence even if I'm still in my rocking chair."

Redrawing Bermuda's electoral boundaries to achieve voter parity was the healthiest development in the party's history, as far as Dame Lois is concerned.

For the party, it means a lot of hard work and organising, she continued, but that too is healthy.

"I think people need to be challenged - make people work, stop being complacent." She recalled that as party leader she encouraged the party to keep working even in between elections.

"Nobody would have to tell me to retire - no rude, rambunctious talk show caller or letter writer has to tell me to go retire. I know. I'm satisfied where the party's reached, where the Leader has taken us. I've lived to have two proteges (Freddie Wade and Jennifer Smith) reach the promised land. So I'm quite satisfied. I'm satisfied with my legal life, my political life. I'm satisfied period. Now I have to make sure I satisfy my Lord and Saviour Jesus."

Aurelia Burch, now in her seventies, was one of the founding members and served as its first treasurer for a number of years before becoming a central committee member. Now, she says, she's just an "ordinary member".

"I wasn't in the garage but I was there for the first open meeting... Before that the men were meeting in the garage."

She laughed when asked if she's glad she went to that meeting which was held to form the party and decide a name. "I'm still there and haven't left, so I'm happy enough that I went. Personally, I didn't mind the word `labour'. There were some who did and some who left it because it was. I liked the word Bermuda in front of it," Mrs. Burch recalled.

"I'm not surprised it's come this far. I wasn't particularly happy that it took so long as it did, certainly not. I prayed many times that it would come before 1998 and I know now that it will go on for quite a bit longer."

The most unhealthy development was the internal struggle which split the party in the eighties, she said.

And she paid tribute to former leaders Frederick Wade and Dame Lois Brown Evans, and others, for their role in ensuring progress.

Unlike Dame Lois, Mrs. Burch is not disappointed that the party has not taken Bermuda to Independence.

"No I'm not disappointed because we want to do it our way, through elections and when that comes up I'll be happy to see it happen then."

And she denies criticism that the party has failed to include its members in decision making.

"We have had public meetings more than anybody else... And we have it too through our branches and branches have been generally active," Mrs. Burch said.

Mr. Roban, who has been involved with the party since 1988, said it has undergone a positive evolution over the years.

"I came with young people and all those people are still there and believe in the party. And the party has always been for me a place that welcome youth and their contribution to the organisation and that's why I remain. Because I believe in the vision I was always made to understand what the PLP was trying to achieve."