Both Opposition parties will today question how Premier Paula Cox's team can arrest a decline they're accused of presiding over for the past 12 years.

In their Replies to the Throne Speech, the United Bermuda Party and Bermuda Democratic Alliance will both commend Ms Cox on setting a less confrontational tone following the departure of her predecessor Ewart Brown.

But they will argue the Progressive Labour Party — comprising the same faces minus Dr. Brown — must take responsibility for getting the Island into an economic and social mess.

UBP leader Kim Swan said in a statement: "We were encouraged by the tone set by the new Premier in the Throne Speech, but concerned that her team is essentially the same one that presided over a period of historic decline in key areas of Island life.

"We all know and agree that Bermuda is broken in various ways economically and socially, and this is an irrefutable part of the PLP legacy to date.

"Our reply will address our concerns about a broken Bermuda, but also provide specific ideas, plans and approaches on how we can get the Island working again."

BDA House leader Shawn Crockwell, who will deliver the Alliance's reply, said: "The BDA's impulsive reaction to this year's Throne Speech was positive given that the language used was substantially less combative when compared to more recent Throne Speeches.

"Language like 'we must strive for harmony in our discourse' is encouraging and a step in the right direction.

"This Throne Speech is drafted like a blueprint to rescue Bermuda from an extraordinary crisis in major areas like the rising trends in gun violence, the sluggish economy and a stagnant educational system.

"We welcome the initiatives laid out in the Throne Speech to tackle these areas and look forward to providing our input, but let us not forget that the grave condition that we find ourselves in must fall at the feet of this Government, with the exact same personnel that we have today, minus only Dr. Brown.

"Not only has this PLP Government been in power for the past 12 years they have had an overwhelming majority in the House of Assembly to push through their full legislative agenda yet despite this we are a country in crisis.

"The PLP Government must shoulder this failure and stop using the ancient past as an excuse for their recent mismanagement.

"We are hopeful that under this new administration we will collectively show Bermudians that we have the ability to solve our major problems and put an end to the political games that divide us.

"Now is the season for action. Now is the time to rebuild our island and the BDA is prepared to play its role."