Opposition will work with Government to ensure "the stability and growth'' of Bermuda, the House of Assembly heard yesterday.

And Acting Opposition leader Grant Gibbons said: "History has proven that social progress and financial security are inexorably linked.

"Both are part of a critical balance that a country must attain before it can provide full opportunity, stability and peace for all its people.'' Dr. Gibbons warned: "Decisions made without regard to cost will unfairly burden future generations. There are too many countries whose citizens are struggling under overwhelming debt.

"We must never lose the balance between worthy ideals and practical, affordable delivery.

"We must never forget the simple principle that someone must always pay and that someone will always be the taxpayer.'' And he told Government MPs that they had to work for all Bermudians -- and with the Opposition.

He said: "It is the moral and constitutional obligation of the PLP Government to fulfill its oft-repeated campaign pledge to `serve all of the people' and ensure that `young and old, native and resident, black and white' will all `benefit from what our country offers'.'' And Dr. Gibbons added: "We in the Opposition stand ready to enthusiastically fulfill our role in ensuring the continuation of good government to benefit all the people of Bermuda.'' He was speaking as he delivered the first ever UBP Opposition statement on a Throne Speech for Pamela Gordon, who is in London to see her daughter Veronica be admitted as a barrister.

Dr. Gibbons said the PLP's 54 percent of the total pool confirmed "a desire for change.'' But he reminded MPs 44 percent of voters backed the UBP -- and claimed the party's "proven ability to establish and manage one of the world's most successful economies'' as the reason.

He added that the Island's prosperity had generated "the financial resources to provide the many social programmes available to every Bermudian today'' -- including healthcare, education and "superior Police and emergency services.'' And he told MPs: "Each individual in this House must examine the merits of each proposal and not merely its origins.

"Good ideas should be acted upon even if they have been proposed by the Opposition.'' He added that the Opposition would be asking how and how much in terms of programmes.

Dr. Gibbons said: "It is not to undermine or be negative. It is to hold this Government accountable, as we ourselves were held accountable, as any responsible Government must be held accountable, to the critical standards of fiscal responsibility and transparency.'' And he added the UBP looked forward to the PLP's first Budget -- to be unveiled in February. Dr. Gibbons said: "Their financial plan will set the standard by which this Government wishes to be judged and will outline the balance between fiscal and social responsibility they wish to maintain.'' And he singled out initiatives to "broaden and strengthen'' education for young people and adults as a priority.

He gave provisional backing to truancy officers and elected school boards -- but said mandatory class sizes "warrants further consideration.'' But he added: "These ideas and other proposals highlighted in the Throne Speech all have one thing in common -- they can only be properly evaluated and approved when the critical details have been provided.

"To date, the Progressive Labour Party has been long on ideas and short on details.'' And he called for the new Government to pick up on ideas in the UBP's election manifesto.

These included: A national savings plan so parents can afford to send their children to top-class universities and colleges; Making sure financial need is a key criteria for education awards; Carrying on with the "one-stop shop'' for seniors' services; Completing the Monitor project to boost tourism; `Work with' Government Continue moving Police officers from behind desks to back on the beat and: Working to bring hi-tech internet E-commerce to Bermuda.

And -- as predicted in The Royal Gazette , Dr. Gibbons stessed the UK White Paper on a rewrite of relations with its colonies -- likely to include full British passports for all.

Dr. Gibbons also stated that the new Government would have to fight hard against a hitlist of dodgy offshore jurisdictions being compiled by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development and the European Union.

He said: "Whether the issues be those of citizenship or tax investigations instituted by the OECD or the EU, Bermuda must always be prepared.'' Dr. Gibbons added: "While not mentioned in the Throne Speech, we think these issues are of paramount importance to Bermuda's future.'' The reply to the Throne Speech also came with a total of six pages of suggested legislation or regulations which the UBP insist should be introduced.

These covered Finance, Environment, Tourism, Transport, Health and Family Services, Home Affairs and Public Safety and Transport, among others.