Historic events rarely happen completely within the tidy boundaries of a singular calendar year, and 2004 was no exception. It was a year of political transition, social anxiety and great expectations and some despair among constituents.

It ended with some loose ends still to be tied and poll reports of a fair amount of disenchantment with the Island?s political leaders.

Old controversies continued to boil over, new ones emerged and the once off-limits topic of Independence was resurrected.

Housing, the new secondary school project, seniors and gang violence continued to dominate political discourse, in part because of the United Bermuda Party?s vigour in its role as Opposition.

Bermuda?s democracy remained as robust as ever as labour, taxi drivers and single issue pressure groups took on Government policies on a number of fronts to force compromises and at times policy reversals.

Government faced its share of embarrassing moments with several pieces of legislation (parking tickets, seatbelts, financial assistance for seniors and the prohibition of gaming machines) turning out to be flawed or unenforceable.

Through it all, though, Premier Alex Scott?s leadership style left no impression that his administration felt under siege.

Perhaps the biggest surprises were Tourism Minister Renee Webb?s resignation, and the termination of contractor Pro-Active Management System?s contract to build the new senior secondary school.

The Opposition?s Louise Jackson emerged as a persistent advocate for the Island?s senior citizens, while Premier Alex Scott?s resolve to lead the country in an open discussion on independence, in the face of political criticism and many distractions, would have won him top prize for most determined ? or most stubborn ? politician of the year.

Eugene Cox, the Progressive Labour Party?s first Finance Minister dies on January 9. His official funeral takes place eight days later. Mr. Cox?s death leads to the first Cabinet shuffle of the year on January 22. Paula Cox succeeds her father at the helm of the Finance Ministry, Sen. Larry Mussenden replaces her as Attorney General and Ashfield DeVent becomes Works and Housing Minister.

The contest to replace Mr. Cox in the House of Assembly attracts strong interest within the PLP. Sen. Michael Scott, Legislative Affairs Minister wins the nomination and is to contest the seat against the Opposition?s Corin Smith.

Controversy over Tourism Minister Renee Webb?s management style continued to simmer as Government investigated a slew of staff allegations against her. the review, released in May, concludes she problematic management style.

A report on the disposal of asbestos at a Southside construction site finds that the company, owned by former MP Arthur Pitcher, improperly disposed of the hazardous substance.

Premier Alex Scott announces his administration?s focus on social issues in a speech to Rotary Club, a theme to which he will return in the autumn when he launches the Social Agenda.FEBRUARY

Deadline arrives for submissions on how the Constitution should be changed in the future. The PLP later releases its submission on mechanisms for changing the Constitution, rejecting any changes until the Independence issue is resolved and argues that Government should play a lead role in constitutional change.

Paula Cox delivers her first Budget. Ashfield DeVent promises to keep the public informed on the new school project.

Premier Alex Scott calls for a national discussion on Independence. The call is greeted with scepticism by the UBP and dismissed outright by UBP MP Trevor Moniz. But business community leaders say they will play a constructive role.

Michael Scott handily defeats Corin Smith in the Sandys North by-election. (414 votes to 220).

After four hours of House of Assembly debate, Housing Minister Ashfield DeVent announces that plans to expand low income housing at Prospect were on hold.

The debate, initiated by the UBP, capped months of campaigning against the plans by area residents. Mr. DeVent had already announced his willingness to seek a compromise, but the debate is seen as a victory for opponents of the plans.

PLP chairman Neville Tyrrell joins the Senate, replacing new MP Michael Scott.

Outspoken US Consul Denis Coleman resigns his post for health reasons, and returns to the United States.MARCH

A parents-led campaign against Governments decision to close one of two entry classes at St. George?s Prep heats up. Government backbenchers and area MPs Jennifer Smith and Dean Foggo support the parents, as does Opposition Senator Kim Swan. In May, an Education Appeals Committee rules in favour of the parents, but Education Minister Terry Lister promises to seek judicial review of the decision.

Seatbelt laws prove unenforceable and parking ticket law flaws exposed.

Mr. Scott is criticised for supporting Caricom?s stance on Haiti at annual heads of Government meeting.APRIL

A whirlwind private visit to the Island by British Prime Minister Tony Blair attracts a small group of anti-war protestors.

Review of the Island?s tax system released. Town hall meetings start on how to deal with gang violence in the wake of an outbreak of armed fighting at Wellington Oval.MAY

The Prisons report is released and recommends sacking the top three managers of the prison service.

Teachers start work to rule in pay dispute with Government and refuse to invigilate Terra Nova tests or do lunch and bus duties.

Students have their say in teachers? dispute with Government with a march on parliament. The teachers engage in a sick-in and Government later agrees to large pay increases.

Sen. Reginald Burrows announces in the Upper Chamber that Government has abandoned plans to sell off homes at Anchorage Road. The plans had been met with strong resistance from current residents.

House of Assembly approves nine percent hike in pensions.JUNE

United Bermuda Party?s Louise Jackson claims Cuban musicians defected to Toronto, Canada on their way home after visit here. The claims spark a war of words with Community Affairs Minister Dale Butler.

Opposition Sen. Leonard Santucci calls for probe into the Bermuda College as concern grows over allegations of mismanagement, unfair hiring practices and the treatment of black male staff.

Southside housing plan unveiled. UBP claims it vindicates their approach to housing. Two hundred homes are planned, half of which will be sold at affordable prices to qualifying buyers.

Police investigation into the Bermuda Housing Corporation formally ends. Acting Director of Prosecutions, Kulandra Ratneser and Police Commissioner Jonathan Smith announce that no politicians will be charged in relation to the scandal. But another political row ensues over suggestions that politicians engaged in unethical behaviour.

Former Premier Pamela Gordon is honoured with a damehood.

Auditor?s report puts quangos under spotlight, and recommends overhaul of tendering process to prevent fraud.

Opposition calls for inquiry into the selection of the new Bermuda College president after it emerges that Bermudian applicants for the post may have been treated differently. Opposition MP Neville Darrell will later file a human rights complaint on behalf of the Bermudian applicants for president.

Government admits drafting errors in anti-gambling legislation just days before a ban on the machines is due to come into effect.JULY

July proved to be a hot month politically, but nothing caused as much heat as the resignation of Renee Webb from Cabinet after a row with Premier Alex Scott, citing irreconcilable differences. Saying she was not treated properly as a woman or a professional, she also accused Government of not moving fast enough on social issues. Mr. Scott, in his defence, says she had problems with his strong leadership and was reluctant to acknowledge that he was ?the man? and ultimately in charge.

The resignation leads to the second Cabinet shuffle of the year and lands Deputy Premier Dr. Brown the Tourism portfolio in addition to his Transport duties. Michael Scott becomes Telecommunications Minister, while Attorney General Larry Mussenden takes over Legislative Affairs.

In another blow for Mr. Scott and Dr. Brown, the Senate rejects the GPS bill after a wave of protests by taxi drivers, including a ten-day strike. The bill, a different version of which was also defeated in 2002, must now wait another year before it can be passed. Transport Minister Ewart Brown soon finds himself in a new controversy over granting permission for an oversized car to a PLP supporter, but his Permanent Secretary Kevin Monkman says the error was his.

Gaming machines are outlawed. A 2001 bill called for July 1 deadline for banning the machines. A bid by would-be gaming entrepreneur Neil Inchup for a Supreme Court injunction against the gaming machine ban fails. The bill gets unanimous support in the Senate.

Prisons senior management ? Commissioner John Prescod, and his deputies Marvin Trott and Randall Woolridge ? are sacked as Government implements recommendations of a report on the service.

Mrs. Jackson continues campaign to highlight conditions at Lefroy House ? home to mentally challenged residents since last year?s hurricane Fabian ? but Health Minister Patrice Minors says the residents were the responsibility of Hope Homes.

UBP leads criticisms of new financial assistance rules which penalises seniors for owning even a modest home.

Coco Reef deal criticised by Auditor?s Report, which says that changes were made to the original contract and the deal should have been re-tendered. The UBP goes on the offensive, putting then-Tourism Minister Renee Webb on the defensive.

Premier Alex Scott explains plummeting approval ratings as the result of having expended political capital by taking hard decisions.

MPs greenlight legislation to allow bigger cars on Bermuda?s roads. The bill is opposed by the UBP and pass a bill setting up the Health Council.

Shadow Tourism Minister David Dodwell wins contract to take over Daniels Head resort.

Premier announces social agenda focus and a streamlined legislative procedure.AUGUST

Pro-Active Management System?s contract to build the new senior secondary school cancelled. The decision kicks off a dispute between the company and the Government and threatens Government?s relationship with the Bermuda Industrial Union. Pro-Active claims wrongful termination and plans to invoke arbitration proceedings.

Pro-Active workers protest the decision at a Cabinet press conference. The parties agree on a facilitator as the dispute threatens to derail Government plans to continue with the project.

Government MP George Scott gets into hot water for suggesting that seniors think about living elsewhere to avoid Bermuda?s high cost of living.

Education officer Abdallah Ahad is sacked after investigation concludes that he made misleading statements about his qualifications.

Veteran PLP MP Walter Lister appointed Minister without portfolio.SEPTEMBER

Wayne Furbert is appointed a deputy leader of the UBP.

Government leads efforts on hurricane relief for the Caribbean.OCTOBER

The Association of Bermuda International Companies express doubts about moves to Independence, in a letter to Premier Alex Scott.

Throne Speech formally launches Social Agenda.

UBP names David Dodwell as its spokesman for Race Relations.

Government tables bill removing overtime opt-out clause from the Employment Act, causing consternation among employers.

Community Affairs Minister Dale Butler confirms that human rights legislation will be amended to prohibit discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation ? an initiative left out of the Speech. Premier Alex Scott later says that it was not a priority for his administration.NOVEMBER

Mystery ad promotes David Burch for Premier.

Ms Webb, in a blistering speech in the House of Assembly, lambastes Government for failing to take the lead on economic empowerment. The Premier?s ratings fall to an all time low.

Financial assistance rules amended to end penalising seniors for owning a modest home.

Government tables legislation to end special juries; the Opposition cries foul, accusing Government of interfering in pending court trial, but the bill passes.

Southside residents go on the warpath over new affordable housing plan.

Compulsory overtime legislation passes the House but is rejected by the Senate, leaving the opt-out clause on the books for another year.

Bill setting up the office of the Ombudsman passed by Parliament.DECEMBER

Premier announces the formation of the Bermuda Independence Commission. Opposition Party declines invitation to participate.