Opposition Leader Pamela Gordon tore into the Government for its record so far and for its "insulting'' treatment of the people of Bermuda -- in particular over proposed constitutional changes.

Ms Gordon slammed the Progressive Labour Party on broken promises made in their two years in power and heavily criticised it for being unwilling to share basic information with the electorate.

In a speech that bordered on being a UBP election manifesto and a warning to her own party, she also said that the decision making of a few in the past should not be the justification of a handful of people setting the rules behind closed doors today.

A full transcript of the reply to the Throne Speech begins on Page 4 The 18-page reply to the Throne Speech called again for a constitutional referendum over the question of reducing the number of MPs -- a plan which the UBP believes would concentrate power in the hands of a few and make Government even further removed from the people.

Ms Gordon said: "A modern democracy is not run by a small clique of Government MPs who call the shots, make the rules, change the peoples' Constitution and do whatever else suits their interest.

She added that it was insulting not to seek the approval of the people on something as important as re-drawing constituency boundaries, and effectively giving power to a small executive.

The Opposition also hit at what it said was the Government's way of brushing aside criticism, by dismissing a "disgruntled Opposition that wishes it was in power'' and by saying that it was "just white people, or black people who are sticking up for white people, who wish white people were in charge''.

Ms. Gordon said: "The days when a handful of white people ran this country are over. Forever. And no matter what happens, those days are not coming back.

"There is no place in the United Bermuda Party for anybody who thinks that they can make those days come back. That is not a choice. That is not an option.

"So let us not conveniently dismiss and criticism of this PLP Government's policies and actions by pretending they are based on race.'' The Government's actions were, in the UBP's opinion, taking the country backwards by increasing secrecy.

"If anybody should argue that the UBP is quibbling about process, a way of doing things, rather than substance -- let me remind them that democracy itself is a process. Democracy is a way of doing things. So is a dictatorship.'' The UBP also hit out at the Government's record on tourism, seniors, education, finance, public safety and the environment.

Ms Gordon lashed their record on tourism, particularly $5.7 million in extra spending on "extravagant travel, entertainment and promotion'' which resulted in 10,000 fewer visitors.

She slammed them for a lack of direction in tourism policy, adding that "this PLP Government's promised 100 day rescue mission has turned into a 750 day mission impossible''.

The Southampton West MP said the basic issue was not one person one vote, but whether the Government would dictate the country's future on its own or whether it was willing to put its trust in the people.

"This is not a choice about the colour of our Government. It is not even a choice about which political party forms the Government of the day.

"The choice is whether we give the people good government, open government or an isolated, defensive and untrusting Government that points our people backwards towards a political past we so desperately need to rise above.''