that as a new Millennium nears, Bermuda has experienced a change of government for the first time since the beginning of party politics -- and some would argue for the first time since the Island was settled.

No-one would say that the Progressive Labour Party's first days in government have been mistake-free -- but where there have been errors, these have been more in style than substance and are not surprising as a government accustomed to opposition gets used to the idea of responsible government.

More importantly, there have been no major bungles and some early successes, notably the ease with which Premier Jennifer Smith and her Cabinet have taken on their portfolios and shown, contrary to the decades-long claims of the United Bermuda Party, that the PLP does have people who can govern.

To some extent, every new government enjoys a honeymoon when the public is inclined to be forgiving and problems can often be blamed on the previous administration. We are very much still in that period.

If the past two months have been successful and peaceful, the next year is likely to be tougher. The public will become less forgiving and the Government will inevitably be more frequently held to account. But if the public and the Government display tolerance, mutual understanding and a recognition that all cannot be changed at once, then Bermuda will continue to progress.

What is certain is that the mood of the Country in the wake of the Election has changed. There is, as Larry Burchall noted in the Bermuda Sun recently, an air of euphoria in Bermuda which the Government can and should harness to bring about a more equitable society in which all people feel they have an equal opportunity to succeed.

Outside of politics, this has also been a momentous year. The collapse of the Rebecca Middleton trial has highlighted problems in the criminal justice system which need to be addressed.

The transport problem has been much on people's minds, with 17 people killed on the roads. In the end, it will not matter how many advertising campaigns are launched or how many more Police are put on the roads if the driving public does not make a commitment to slow down, obey the rules of the road and show courtesy to others. That would be a New Year's resolution that everyone can and should keep.

Many of the other problems confronting Bermuda remain. Housing, the cost of health care, drugs and crime, care of the elderly, uncertainty over Bermuda's constitutional status and tax regime: new government or not, the list goes on.

No-one has a magic wand which can be waved to solve these problems. Most of them will be solved by, to paraphrase Thomas Alva Edison, "99 percent perspiration and one percent inspiration''.

There have also been successes: Bermuda's bowlers surprised the world when they won two silver medals at the Commonwealth Games, there have been innovations and new ideas for reviving tourism, the economy has continued to expand and the education system has stabilised after the opening of CedarBridge and the completion of school restructuring. This year should also be remembered as one in which there was very little industrial strife -- a credit to employers and employees alike.

After a year of change which in many ways marks Bermuda's arrival at political maturity, we wish all our readers a peaceful, safe and prosperous new year in which tolerance and mutual respect will bring all of Bermuda closer together.