over an international tax crackdown as scaremongering.

And Ms Smith said: "I was quite surprised that the Premier at this point in time, would try to scare Bermudians into believing only one party could ever govern Bermuda.'' Ms Smith was speaking after Ms Gordon warned earlier that "thousands and thousands of Bermudian jobs will be lost'' if an effective defence was not mounted against an international move towards hardline tax rules -- a defence the Premier staked a claim to.

Ms Gordon said that Bermuda could be caught up in a crackdown on "harmful tax regimes'' involving Britain, the EU and the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development.

The United States is also looking to renegotiate parts of its tax treaty with Bermuda.

And the Premier also said the Island needed to continue the restructuring of the education system and that strengthening tourism had to be priority.

But Ms Smith claimed: "All of this tells the Bermudian people that, like all other democratic countries of the world, there is a time to change a Government which has served its people poorly.'' The news came as the clock started running on crunch debates between Ms Gordon and Ms Smith. And Ms Smith promised that the PLP was ready for the November 9 General Election "date with destiny.'' Ms Smith said: "Now there is a date, we are ready to proceed with two public debates, within the guidelines of the Broadcasting Regulations.'' The head-to-head challenge was complicated as TV comes under heavy manners during an election period -- meaning National Liberal Party leader Charles Jeffers will have to be included to show fairness.

But Ms Smith said: "There is no reason why the two public debates should not take place, with the inclusion of the leader of the NLP if necessary.'' And she offered a partial solution to the deadlock over the format of the debates -- one done in a studio setting, as the UBP want, and one done before an audience, the PLP's stance.

Ms Smith was speaking as the Opposition geared up for the fight after Ms Gordon plumped for November 9 as polling day.

The Opposition leader said: "I look forward to debating the Premier on the record of the UBP, as she proposed, and on the future of Bermuda and all her people, which I proposed.'' And Ms Smith echoed the Premier's earlier calls for responsible campaigning during the 20-day election period.

Ms Smith said: "As we proceed with the campaign, I expect that supporters contesting the elections will become increasing passionate in expressing their views.'' She added: "It's time for the politics of spite to be banished from Bermuda.

I appeal to all Bermudians to remember that after the election storm we must all work together to build a new Bermuda.'' Ms Smith added that the PLP had close links with the US Democrats and British Labour and the party was "amply qualified'' to negotiate on issues relating to Bermuda.

And she said: "The UBP, contrary to what they seem to believe, do not have exclusive rights to govern Bermuda.

"With the dissolution of Parliament and the setting of a date, the power to choose a new Government rests with the people.'' Ms Smith added: "Our team of candidates are outstanding Bermudians with the competence, experience, commitment and character to manage our Country's affairs to the benefit of all Bermudians, without exclusion.'' She admitted that Bermuda was still enjoying prosperity -- a state of affairs which normally favours the party in power.

But she added: "That would have benefited the ruling party -- if all Bermudians were benefiting from the success story. The problem is that success has not included all Bermudians. And we're too small a country to continue to grow that segment of the population.'' Ms Smith said later that the annual PLP delegates' conference would continue despite the election call.

But she said that the content would be changed to take account of the altered circumstances.

Ms Smith, however, declined to comment on when the party would release it's long-awaited election platform, except to say "it's on target.''