Opposition leader Mr. Frederick Wade last night claimed a major political victory on the US Base issue.

He said the Progressive Labour Party had persuaded the Americans to feed it with "information and data''.

This was in stark contrast to the United Bermuda Party Government, he boasted at his party's conference.

The PLP had also campaigned for the return of Cooper's Island to Bermuda.

"With the importance of the closure of the US Bases your members have spent the summer studying the situation under the chairmanship of Shadow Finance Minister Mr. Eugene Cox, MP.

"Members have visited the bases and had several meetings, luncheons and dinners with the Base Commander and the US Consul General.'' Mr. Wade said the PLP had pulled off successes despite the party's exclusion from the Government Base Committee.

This had not deterred the Opposition, he said during the Alaska Hall conference.

Mr. Wade then turned to two major reports to be studied during the coming Parliamentary session.

These were the Task Force reports on competitiveness and labour relations, he said.

He also praised Shadow Labour Minister Mr. Alex Scott for his efforts on immigration.

"Through his efforts the PLP has become the agency to deal with the community's problems in labour and home affairs.'' Mr. Wade went on to heap praise on the three new Opposition senators.

They were a credit to themselves and the party, he said.

"They landed on feet first into the most crucial Senate session in our history.

"The sterling leadership of Opposition leader in the Senate, Senator Milton Scott scuttled the Government Independence Referendum Bill and led to its final demise in the House of Assembly.

"Senator Terry Lister and Senator Neleatha Butterfield spoke on their various portfolios like veterans.'' Mr. Wade said the PLP's Independence strategy had been triumph.

"The final result being that we stopped the Commission of Inquiry into Independence with all of its inequities.

"We forced Government to postpone the referendum plans and we were able to force Government to adopt our policy of preparing a Green Paper on Independence.'' Mr. Wade highlighted another party "success'' -- getting the Hon. Ernest DeCouto elected as Speaker.

"We worked out the tactics in our caucus and our members remained tight-lipped until the required moment.

"Our plan was executed with military precision. It was so well done we caught Premier the Hon. Sir John Swan, the Government and the Country by surprise and won the day.

"The importance of that success cannot be over-emphasised because it has been a key factor in much of our Parliamentary success during the year.'' Mr. Wade praised his Parliamentary group for its "industry and hard work'', and "unity''.

Without such diligence, the PLP would not have scored such victories, he said.