Opposition leader Marc Bean claims the Progressive Labour Party is “stronger, more unified and more focused” since its election defeat ten months ago.

Speaking on the eve of the party’s annual conference, Mr Bean said that after 50 years of fighting oppression and injustice, the party continued to modernise and fight for “a fairer Bermuda”.

“We enter the 2013 PLP conference a stronger, more unified and more focused party,” he said.

“We have listened to the people, grown from the lesson learned in December 2012 and humbled ourselves. We are reconnecting with the people, our values and promoting a new vision of economic and cultural empowerment.

“For 50 years, the PLP have driven positive change and been at the forefront of bringing Bermuda out of the dark ages of oppression, injustice and inequity. To those who have and continue to support us, I thank you. To those who lost faith with us, we encourage you to weigh both our words and actions as we continue to modernise our policies, our vision and our team. To those who have never supported us, we will continue to fight for a fairer Bermuda, where obstacles to opportunity are removed and where honesty and hard work are rewarded.”

Party chairman Maynard Dill said the conference was an opportunity for grass roots supporters to have their say on the direction of the party, adding that their input was “invaluable and appreciated”.

“With new leadership, a new vision and new people bringing new ideas, the PLP is committed to building a 21st century movement to meet the needs of 21st century Bermudians,” Mr Dill said.

The theme of this year’s conference is ‘empowerment through economic entrepreneurship and employment through education’.

The conference begins at the Bermuda Industrial Union headquarters 5.30pm tomorrow. Delegates will move to Devonshire Recreational Club on Thursday and a banquet will be held at the Hamilton Princess hotel on Saturday evening.