In this technological phase of the world, there is rapid change and its consequences will not always be anticipated. This rapid change on most occasions introduces a new phase that if not taken into consideration, its effects can and will undermine our economic, and cherished cultural and political values.

These rapidly changing technological innovations have made the world, in all aspects, interconnected and interdependent. This change puts greater control and information in the minds of people from almost all walks of life.

It places a greater demand on governments to act and make greater provision for the average person. As such, people expect to exercise what they consider to be their inalienable rights.

Yes, the challenges that we face in Bermuda are formidable but they are not insurmountable. We, too, like the US, cannot face them without outside help. These challenges provide opportunities for political, social and business leadership. This should not be the leadership of personal attacks, unyielding partisanship, cynicism, divisiveness, arrogance and entitlement, but rather, the leadership of civil dialogue, thoughtfulness, deep wisdom, integrity, humility and a sense of simple decency. Trust and confidence in all of Bermuda’s political and institutional leadership is the essence of our democracy and is an essential part of how the world perceives us. In meeting the inevitability of change, the first duty of all of Bermuda’s leadership, across the broad spectrum of our institutions, is to define the reality of the problems no matter how uncomfortable they are to hear and to embrace those changes that will enhance the wellbeing of all our people.

We cannot master the big challenges facing our country such as economic recovery, a massive budget deficit, public service reform, social care reform, pension reform, etc unless we present a united front and put aside differences about who had or had not foreseen the danger coming.

During the Second World War years Winston Churchill said to the British people: “If we open a quarrel between the present and the past, we shall be in danger of losing the future.”

We cannot excuse or defend the past, nor should we try. We can either be preoccupied about the past and be imprisoned by it or we can decide we are to have a better future and work to make it so.

In this changing world we need to send a united, unmistakable message, that we are going to make a Bermuda that serves the greater good of all our people. Our future is built on what we do now!