We elect our Members of Parliament to do the people’s business. Not to exchange barbs across the floor of the House of Assembly, or to stifle debate, thereby disrupting and tainting the legislative process.Last week — not for the first time — we saw “debate” among our MPs at times sink to the level of playground bickering. With ten percent of Bermudians unemployed, the Government nearly $1.5 billion in debt and burgeoning gun crime claiming an ever-increasing toll of young lives, this is not the time for our legislators to spend valuable parliamentary time name-calling. This is the time to get serious.The people’s business is about finding solutions. The parliamentary process is supposed to result in the legislature coming to sensible decisions through the tabling of proposals, followed by intelligent discussion. MPs who don’t agree with proposed legislation get an opportunity to say why and to propose something better. Then there’s a vote. That’s what should happen.Last week we saw Community Minister Wayne Scott speak for the entire four hours of time allotted to “debate” his Ministry’s budget. Regardless of the argument over whether the Opposition agreed to this move or not, this is surely not in the interest of voters. The point of all 36 MPs being paid public money to gather on occasion in the House of Assembly is to provide a forum for a vigorous exchange of views on tabled legislation, so its strengths and pitfalls can be thrashed out before anything is signed into law. What’s the point of the gathering if all we get is a statement being read out?Then on Friday, we saw the House descend into “pandemonium”, as one MP put it, after Public Works Minister Trevor Moniz and Deputy Opposition Leader Derrick Burgess exchanged strong words. What followed, including a “redneck” reference from Mr Burgess and lingering, raucous disruption in the House, did not make it one of the proudest days for the oldest parliament in the Western Hemisphere.The two-party system that prevails in Bermuda does allow for clear options for voters and the strong, organised opposition that is a key element of a healthy democracy. However, it also has its drawbacks. For example, blinding party loyalty that can inflame emotions and turn debate into tribalistic verbal warfare. And the mentality that everything the other side does is wrong, even if you would have done the same thing yourself in the same situation.Opposition Leader Marc Bean, who by all accounts contributed his fair share to Friday’s partisan cacophony, eventually provided a moment of commonsense amid the mayhem, when he said: “The people are appealing for us to raise the level of discourse in this Honourable House.”Yes, indeed we are.Raise your game, please MPs. This is the time to get serious.