Praise not the leader until he has lead.

Praise not the flower until it has bloomed.

Praise not the tree until it bears fruit.

Praise not the leader until he has lead.

(African Proverb, Ashanti Tribe) *** It is important to talk to the issues and have real plans that make sense and are for the benefit of our whole community. We must also bring out the best in our people, not the worst. We are a society with a firm belief in God and in the principles of the Bible. Uniting people, being honest and ethical, these are the values so many Bermudians hold close to their hearts. I have been deeply saddened how some of these principles have been sacrificed in the name of victory at the polls. We must remember that we have to wake up tomorrow morning as a people who must continue to live by and treasure their fundamental beliefs and ethics. There can be no other option for the people of Bermuda. There can be no other option for me.

Making this point clear and speaking to the best in the Bermudian people is one part of my view of what leadership is in our Country. We have weathered so much in the past because we have always had a common bond. It is this fundamental core that will take us strongly and successfully in to the future.

Holding a lesser standard is what will rip the very fabric of society and our future apart. My view of leadership during the months since I had the honour of becoming Premier will allow nothing less than for all of us to go forward together.

Jobs, now and in the future. Financial security, saying no to taxes on our income, gratuities or rents; careers, training, education and giving the best to our children because it is the right thing to do. Making our communities safer and saying no to drug dealers, closing down drug hang outs, working on both supply and demand in a co-ordinated way. These are the issues that your decision today must be about.

Let me make it clear that it does matter who you choose today to take our country forward. In our Plan the vision of our community is clearly set out.

This is the vision that I have heard from thousands of Bermudians who have called me, stopped me on the street, talked to me in their living rooms. It was said in many different ways by many different kinds of people but the vision was always the same -- it was truly a Bermudian vision built by Bermudians for Bermudians.

We are a small Island with no income tax or tax on gratuities or rents. The Government of Bermuda receives less in taxes from its people than almost any other county in the world. We have less unemployment than any other country I know of and one of the highest standards of living in the world. We travel more and have more advanced education per capita than almost any other country in the world. Did this happen by accident or through good luck? No it did not.

It was by hard work, looking ahead, understanding the world around us, providing opportunity, planning properly and thoroughly, being financially responsible and showing real leadership.

A lack of experience could be devastating to our people during this part of our development. An economy is not something you just hand over and all things remain equal. It is not a training ground for those without expertise.

International confidence can slip very quickly and once it starts sliding, the losers are the Bermudian people who have worked so hard to achieve what they have. And to get it back is not easy and is not accomplished through a couple of phone calls or emotional pleas. Confidence is something that one builds. It is not transferable.

This is a time for calm, sober and deep thought. Today is an enormously important day. We should remember that the decision on how we vote in that booth is one for us alone. The way you vote will not be known. Only the final result will be felt. It is a decision which must be made with careful consideration and with the guidance of our faith. It is our responsibility alone and a responsibility that we will always carry with us.

As important as today is, tomorrow is even more so. We have been through a very divisive process. But we must remember that above anything else, we are Bermudians first. On Tuesday we must be able to say that this is our greater love.

May God bless you all.