3 November 2007 | The Royal Gazette

Just hours before Premier Ewart Brown announced the election, Government revealed a giveaway Throne Speech boosting education and home-ownership.

Free Bermuda College tuition for Bermudians in accredited programmes and boosts to various scholarships were pledged alongside plans to give interest-free down payment loans to 500 families for mortgages.

Opposition leader Michael Dunkley said government had no plan to effectively address the needs of the people and the speech had "no unifying vision, no compass, no destination".

If it wins the election on December 18, Government will press ahead with plans for its tenants to pay no more than 25 percent of their income on rent while putting another ten percent towards future home-ownership.

Three purpose-built facilities for families needing emergency housing are promised for Southside.

A pledge to apply international standards to Bermuda's human rights law could pave the way for the outlawing of discrimination against homosexuals.

Already floated plans to help boost health coverage for seniors have materialised in a pledge to ensure citizens save enough in their working years to cover themselves later.

Dr. Brown said: "Government will launch an aggressive public/private campaign aimed at encouraging a direct change in the saving patterns of the people of Bermuda.

"It is an important duty of Government to prepare its people for the future and in concert with the private sector we will change the way Bermuda saves and invests." MORE! »