because of the party's attachment to the unions, the National Liberal Party charged yesterday.

Close ties between the unions and the PLP have tainted its ability to be reasonable and objective, the Island's third party claimed.

"Can you imagine the outcome of wage talks between a Progressive Labour Party government and the Bermuda Industrial Union?,'' asked the party in its economic platform, entitled the Common-Sense Road Back to Prosperity.

"Their complete support of the antics of the union hierarchy, during these past two years in particular, has been at the very least, insensitive, detrimental to Bermuda's economic position and, therefore, unacceptable,'' an excerpt of the platform said last night.

It contended the education system was in a mess -- one reason being the breakdown in discipline.

And it said the tourism industry was desperately in need of new ideas and better promotion.

"The continual general strike threat that still exists has put a dark cloud over this country,'' the party said, adding "fear of unrest'' had governed "weak'' management decisions on contract issues.

"The continuous assent to these high wage demands created a mind set and expectation that they should continue,'' said the platform.

The NLP also criticised the United Bermuda Party Government, saying it had no long-term plans.

And it said it should be embarrassed by the "disarray'' of its Education, Labour and Finance portfolios.

It also said the PLP had not offered a proper economic plan in 30 years.

"They hide behind divisive, nebulous rantings just waiting to ascend to power so that they can adopt the blank-cheque writing techniques of the UBP.'' On the subject of education, the NLP said the UBP had failed to recognise Bermuda's one renewable resource was its children.

Proof of this, the party said, was the "mess our public education system is in and has been in for several decades''.

It also called for a reduction in MPs and to cut the number of Government Ministries from 12 to seven.

And it said general elections should be held every four years to reduce the cost of parliamentary registration.

It also noted despite Government manpower cutbacks, the cost of that manpower had increased. "This indicates that staff reductions are probably taking place at the lower and middle income levels instead of from top to bottom.'' The NLP said it would set up a committee of independent auditors to audit every Government department to determine the real need and justification for their continued existence.

"It is imperative that we reduce the size of Government and its cost to lessen the tax burden on business and the tax payer,'' the party said, adding it owuld freeze Government salaries over $75,000.

Turning to tourism, it accused Government of not properly promoting or encouraging it.

It suggested requiring cruise ships to close their dining rooms for one night while in port so visitors would have to eat ashore. It estimated such a move would assist the economy to the tune of $5 million.

It further suggested acknowledging repeat visitors with a "Distinguished Visitors Card''.