there will be one in the short-term, there is an issue we would like to include in the talk. Women in Parliament. Bermuda needs more women MPs and both political parties need to guarantee that at the next election they will greatly increase the number of women candidates.

The women we do have in Parliament make a remarkable contribution. The Progressive Labour Party is already led, for the second time, by an outstanding woman. In fact, it is led by a woman who has turned herself into the guru of Bermudian education. The first PLP woman leader, Lois Browne Evans, continues to make a contribution to Bermuda and Bermudians which easily matches that of any Bermudian leader. She has already joined the ranks of Bermuda's legendary leaders.

The United Bermuda Party's Ann Cartwright DeCouto may be tough, determined and controversial but she was the only Cabinet Minister with the guts to confront the fishermen and sort out the fisheries mess. She will forever be credited with having saved Bermuda's reef fisheries from virtual extinction.

And the UBP also has Pamela Gordon, the daughter of one of those legendary leaders, who is talented, capable and feisty.

The list is much longer and should certainly include former independent Senator Norma Astwood and the UBP's Lynda Milligan-Whyte.

Men often look upon women in politics as "dabbling'' but Bermuda's women politicians have made solid contributions and better contributions than most of the men.

Why then do we traditionally have so few women candidates? Because we continue to think of politics as "male work'' when, in fact, we are depriving ourselves of the sense and sensibility more women would bring to Parliament.

The polls indicate that the balance of power in Bermuda may well be held by a relatively small number of women who are the "undecided'' floating voters. It is sometimes very difficult to believe that the women of Bermuda feel well represented given the statements some of the men make in Parliament.

Women are often much more in tune with the needs of families and young people and much more aggressive about what they want for their children in terms of education and recreation and health care. They are often much better at money watching and money management than men because they manage the household.

Given the confrontational style of our Westminster Parliament which alienates so many people and sets such a poor example for the public, it might well be that more women would show the place how to behave.

So, as we talk about an election, we should be looking at ways to improve our representation. Women are at the top of the list.