United Bermuda Party or it will be difficult to operate a successful Government.

The McDonald's issue should not be underestimated because it was a major blight on David Saul's Premiership. The UBP has never seemed to understand that the row was not about hamburgers but about Government integrity. The new Premier should make it clear to the UBP that there has to be an agreement on McDonald's because if the row starts again, then the chances of the Premier succeeding are greatly diminished.

Something very similar is true of the Independence issue. The public should be reassured early in the new Government that the Independence referendum result will be respected.

In other words, the new Premier should try to "clear the decks'' of the damage done to the last two administrations in order to get on with the future. That will also require keeping the UBP together.

As for the future, there are some very healthy signs. The basic economy is in excellent shape. Unemployment is down and the building industry is about to boom. Inflation is in check and retail sales are slightly up. All over Hamilton the retail sector is renovating premises in preparation for the season.

There are signs that tourism overall is improving even though closed hotels and the chopping and changing of cruise ships does indicate that the industry as a whole is unsettled. However hotels are refurbishing and there are major changes taking place at some of the hotels.

The international company sector is going very well and some companies are making major commitments to Bermuda. They are natural employers of the Bermudians who are being educated to a high standard.

That old thorn the National Stadium is fast approaching solutions.

Crime is down even though it is not down as much as everyone would like.

However there is a new confidence in the Police Service which is entirely healthy, if only the PLP would leave the Police alone.

That is not to say that the new Premier will be without challenges. As we see it, the great challenge is education and the new education system. The new CedarBridge Academy will not be easy to run and it must be given every chance to succeed for the sake of the students.

The base lands will remain in the public eye until the people are given some reassurances that they have a part in the lands. There is still no indication that some of Kindley will be used to relieve the pressures so obvious in Bermuda today.

Drugs will remain a major challenge but the new Premier inherits a National Drugs Commission which is up and going...finally. The Premier will have to work to unite the public against drugs which is the only long-term solution.

There are other problem areas like prisons and affordable housing and race but there does not seem to be an issue which is likely to cause a crisis.