United Bermuda Party (UBP) freshman Senator Leonard Santucci made his official debut in the Upper House yesterday giving his fellow Senators a preview to his tenure, saying that he will not engage in smoke and mirror tactics.

And with much debate over the Government's Throne Speech yesterday, the Opposition Senator actually complimented the Government on some areas that he felt they did not fall short on.

"I believe it is not necessary to spend all day and night debating the PLP and the Throne Speech - their service to the community should speak for itself," he said.

He even went so far to say that he was "excited" about certain aspects of the Government's mandate for the upcoming legislative session.

"It suggested to me, that reformation is in the air," he said. "It suggested to me that Government is prepared to take us places we have never been before. There are 33 pieces of legislation in total and two reports - so I believe that the Government is seeking to bring before us some serious work to be done."

The Methodist Minister also took time in his inaugural address to thank those who have guided him along the political path.

He said he owed a "debt of gratitude" to politicians from both sides of the bench for mentoring him, pointing to Opposition Leader Grant Gibbons, Sir John Swan, former Opposition Leader Pamela Gordon, Government MP's Lois Browne Evans and Randolph Horton as well as former Parliamentarian Austin Thomas.

And Sen. Santucci suggested that he will perform in the Senate without getting caught up in the negative backbiting that has often been witnessed between Government and the Opposition.

"I will not engage in smoke and mirror tactics," he said. "I see this as a position that is temporary in nature - I have come to contribute, I am looking forward to the many debates that may be before us and I am looking forward to the work yet to be done. "

And although he contrasted from his colleagues about Government's response in light of the September 11 events - he said its initiatives should be commended - he noted their response should have occurred sooner than it did.

"I will never forget the sight of those planes crashing into the Trade Centre," he said. "I will never forget what I was doing that day. I'm grateful for the sensitivity that the Government expressed in this document. I think that congratulations are owed to the Government in efforts to cut Government spending, but I fear that it has come to late and are directed to the wrong areas."

He also said he hoped that Government would take a more scrutinising look at the state of tourism and international business, saying that the "two pillars of the economy must be preserved".

And he said he hoped Government will take the reins and deliver on proposed reductions in the Payroll Tax and Land Tax.

"I am excited that Government has indicated what I hope will be a lowering of the rates in the Payroll Tax," he said. "Many people who I have encountered have complained that it is become too expensive - and I think that we need to be mindful of those who have to pay the land tax.

"We need to be mindful of the retirees, widows and widowers who have to pay this exorbitant tax levied by this Government. I believe it is a travesty when people have to give up what they have worked so hard for."