August 26, 2012Dear Sir,Because there is no doubt in my mind that the end is near for the PLP regime, we need to think about how we guard against any political party in Bermuda ever falling into the extreme positions that both the UBP and the PLP took. The UBP ran Bermuda Inc in the way that they knew best but forgot about the social side of Government, that is, the needs and rights of its citizens. The PLP, on the other hand, promised one thing and never delivered anything, either on the social side or the economic side.The OBA, despite the attempts of the PLP spinmeisters to paint them as the UBP re-incarnated, really do have a structure and a membership that bodes well for the future. The biggest asset they have is diversity — and I do not mean simply racial diversity — I mean diversity of economic strata, age and experience level. The world has moved on from the PLP Stone Age mentality and diversity is essential to any Government who intend to be leaders of all the people.The best thing that could happen to Bermuda would be an OBA victory and a new political group arising from the ashes of the PLP. It makes good sense to have a choice — and a political philosophy that is oriented toward labour and social needs is not a bad option. It would be a stroke of genius if such a new party could attract the level of diversity and intellect that the OBA has — then Bermuda would, at least politically, be set for the future.The problem we have now is that the real purpose of “government” or “governance” has been lost in the tangle of race-based thinking and the thirst for power and control and, frankly, because we place a greater emphasis on the need to blame someone as opposed to being held accountable. We need to create a new climate in Bermuda — a climate that attracts investment, tourists, and develops a more inclusive form of governance that allows all Bermudians to be involved in the process.What we have now allows no hope for a new climate and is based on exclusion. With a change of government there will at least be hope.BEING FAMOUS IS OVERRATEDSouthampton