The month of peace and goodwill started off with precious little of it in evidence in Bermuda, with the island once again rocked by protests and violence.

Police officers and protesters alike were injured at the beginning of the month when an unlawful barricading of Parliament by people against the proposed redevelopment of the airport brought about a robust response from the police.

Pepper spray was used for the first time, an action that brought Parliament to a halt for the year, with Michael Dunkley, the Premier, opting to call an early end to the 2016 session.

Derrick Burgess, the Progressive Labour Party MP, who the day before had his honesty questioned at the Commission of Inquiry, did little to calm matters, telling police that protesters with guns were ready to join the fray, and said the action against protesters was “white supremacy at work”.

While Burgess and others maintained they had acted peacefully and lawfully, Michael DeSilva, the police commissioner, had other ideas.

“You can’t block other people from doing what they are allowed to do,” he said. “Throughout the morning, in an attempt to allow access to the House of Assembly, officers engaged with protesters continually to warn them about their conduct and to encourage them to desist from obstructing the entrance to the grounds or building.

“Once the Speaker of the House declared the House would sit today, police initiated positive action to open a path to the House. They approached the protesters who were blocking access, warned them they were committing offences, and instructed them to desist. Immediately the crowd surged and some of the protesters assaulted the officers.

“We respect and uphold the constitutional right to freedom of speech, to gather and to peacefully protest, but we remind the protesters and organisers that their actions must be lawful and they must not intrude on the rights of others or impede on the rule of law.”

In the aftermath Mr Dunkley met with David Burt, the opposition leader, and Randy Horton, the Speaker of the House, to see if Parliament could continue its business before Christmas. Ultimately it was decided to postpone the airport debate until February.

Meanwhile, Craig Cannonier, the former Premier, is forced to deny that he has ambitions to remove Michael Dunkley and takeover as leader of the One Bermuda Alliance.

“I have not challenged the Premier and I do support him,” Mr Cannonier tells The Royal Gazette, two days after refusing to comment on rumours he was planning a leadership challenge.

With more protests expected when Parliament reconvenes next month, and the situation with Reverend Nicholas Tweed likely to bring further unrest, there is little evidence that a New Year will bring a renewed sense of cooperation to an island split along racial, political, religious and economic lines as much as ever.

December 1: Members of the St George’s Club voice their concerns after it emerges that the club could be sold.

December 1: J’Dun Thompson, a Bermudian living in London, is jailed for eight years after stabbing another man.

December 2: Protesters and police clash outside the House of Assembly.

December 2: The island pays its respects to Colour Sergeant Keith Whorms, who died suddenly the previous week.

December 4: Death threats against Michael Dunkley appear on social media, but are taken down soon after.

December 4: Rumours of a split within the One Bermuda Alliance surface over the police action against protesters.

December 5: John Rankin, the new Governor, is officially sworn in at a parade in King’s Square, St George’s.

December 5: Students are moved from TN Tatem Middle School to Clearwater as the school remains closed because of mould.

December 7: Nathan Trott, a Bermudian footballer, signs his first professional contract with West Ham United.

December 8: Deshaun Jerry Berkley becomes the latest victim of gang violence on the island after being gunned down outside Western Stars Sports Club in the early hours of the morning.

December 9: Environmental groups urge walkers to stop piling rocks on top of each other at Spittal Pond.

December 11: Bermuda is again in the news for the wrong reasons, with an Oxfam report branding the island “the world’s worst corporate tax haven”. It is an accusation that is angrily denied by politicians and business representatives.

December 12: Andrew Bascome, the Bermuda football coach, breaks down at a press conference and admits to being molested as a young player,

December 12: A police officer is suspended after it emerges that she left her post to join the anti-airport protesters outside the House of Assembly.

December 13: Madeline Santucci, 66, is charged with causing death by dangerous driving in the accident that claimed the life of 14-year-old Dennikia Lambert in July.

December 13: A damning verdict from Juan Wolffe, the senior magistrate, finds that staff at Summerhaven care home had subjected residents to “intimidation, harassment, threats and verbal abuse”.

December 14: Bermuda is left stunned by the death of well-respected police officer and referee Gregory Grimes.

December 15: Bill Hanbury, the outgoing Bermuda Tourism Authority chief executive officer, says that the biggest threat to the island’s tourism product is the political environment.

December 15: Bermuda wins the right to stage three International Triathlon Union world series events in 2018, 2019, and 2020.

December 19: It is announced that a new film, Babymoon, will be shot on the island next year, with Lucinda Spurling, a local filmmaker, directing a cast which is slated to include Kelly McGillis and Kate Mansi.

December 20: Neville Tyrrell, the PLP candidate, easily wins the Warwick South Central by-election, taking 477 of the 597 votes cast.

December 21: Bermuda gets a boost with JetBlue announcing the addition of three direct flights to the service it already provides to the island.

December 22: It doesn’t take long for Governor John Rankin to make an impact as he outlines his support for same-sex civil unions, backs the right to peaceful protest, and vows community engagement in his first major interview since arriving on the island.

December 24: In another display of the island’s first-world problems a beer shortage makes front page news.

December 25: Ivy Lily Mount is born on Christmas Day to parents Leanne and Timothy. She weighs 8lbs 7oz.

December 27: Staff and residents at Summerhaven care home call for the removal of John Powell, the board chairman.

December 28: A family claims their Christmas was ruined by the Department of Immigration, who refused to allow a grandmother and her granddaughter to land on the island in a row over their visas.

December 30: Patricia Gordon-Pamplin, the Minister of Home Affairs, upholds the decision to reject Reverend Nicholas Tweed’s application for a work permit.