In any democracy, whenever the political party in power loses touch with the people, nuts and bolts begin to rattle like a faulty engine, and unless something is done to rectify the problem, it is only a matter of time before that party finds itself scrambling to regain lost momentum.

This could be one of the true nightmares in the world of politics where the people could be

cheering for you today, but after a series of stumbles that shake their confidence that same energy is aimed at calling for your head, although not quite in that sense.

In other words one of the biggest problems any Government can face is losing touch with the heart and soul of the people, in trying to assert various policies in the name of progress.

The people are usually quite tolerant in coping with difficult situations which most are confronted with on a daily basis in this world of economic hardship that has affected so many.

However there are times when many begin to wonder whether those in the seats of power really have their concerns as the highest priority. The fact that they begin to wonder should set off alarm bells that something is either wrong with the communication system, or that the message itself is need of readjustment.

Our members of Parliament on both sides of the arena, must realise that they are not the only ones with brain tissue, and that while many struggling people may not be blessed with glowing credentials they are fully equipped to know when whatever is being done falls short of providing confidence, that the people come first in any move to right the listing economic ship. While most Bermudians have great patience, they really want to know the bottom line about how best to improve the situation, keeping in mind that no one should be thrown beneath the bus in the process.

The recent blistering attack at a public meeting which saw Finance Minister Bob Richards obviously struggling to defend a Government intiative to reform certain areas of Government in the quest to tighten spending, struck a nerve with many, who questioned whether enough thought had been given to the impact of proposed changes and the people involved. Political meetings on highly sensitive subjects can become heated at times, and most politicians accept that as a part of serving the public.

But on the other hand, it is a different story when the people feel disconnected with the messenger and the message. Even if the message had validity and the messenger was sincere, if there is the slightest hint that they are being talked down to, right or wrong, a confrontational mood is born. In politics that can be difficult to reverse. The Opposition Progressive Labour Party paid the ultimate price at the polls for driving the political bus of discontent and ignoring the number of people getting off when they stopped to pick up more passengers. Although they were on the road as Government for 14 years, when they realised what was happening it was too late to make adjustments. The people sent a clear message that enough was enough.

The One Bermuda Alliance, new on the scene, were successful in convincing the electorate that they could do better if given a chance.

As though they hadnt followed the script from the last act, they too stumbled in a manner that resulted in a change of leadership, which for a new party was not a development they expected. The OBA Government must be careful that they do not fall into the trap that ousted the PLP Government, which is to allow the gap to widen between the people and the Government, to a degree where people lose confidence; they fear their concerns come second to some schemes, where figures instead of people are the priority.

There is a great deal of work to be done to turn things around and that is accepted by all sides, but it is most important that connecting with the people at all the stops could make a difference in how we move forward. Unless everyone at the table is getting a portion from that loaf of bread it will not be a very happy family.

The Bermudian island family must be saved, and this can only be accomplished when politicians are prepared to step outside the box of confrontations and focus on the real enemy, the troubled economy. In that struggle, the people must never feel disconnected from whatever is being done to make their lives better.