The United Bermuda Party is annoyed because it says it was first invited to attend the “historic” bilateral visit to Washington, DC, only to have the invitation pulled.

The Opposition’s unhappiness is understandable, not for so much for not going, but for the way it was allegedly done .

It would have made some sense for both parties to make the visit, because it would have shown that no matter what their differences are at home, they can show a united front overseas, especially on issues concerning international business, including taxation.

A joint visit would also have shown to the public — many of whom are heartily sick of the partisanship and point-scoring that so often replaces genuine debate in the political arena — that the Island’s leaders can work together for the common good.

According to the Bermuda Sun, Premier Alex Scott claims not to remember any such promise being discussed, and says there is nothing in the notes of the meeting where Opposition Leader Wayne Furbert says it was raised about it.

Be that as it may, a further unique opportunity may have been missed as a result.

To be sure, the Government was under no obligation to bring the Opposition along, and when the United Bermuda Party’s leaders visited Washington — as they did with some frequency — they certainly never took anyone from the Progressive Labour Party along with them.

Still, the report has soured to some extent the good news that the Government is working to improve relations with the Island’s biggest neighbour after a fairly lengthy period in which they have become somewhat frayed.

It’s likely that US Consul General Gregory Slayton has had a lot to do with this. Certainly he has spoken frequently about the need for good relations and for the importance of neighbours talking, even, or perhaps especially, when they have had differences.

And it is a good sign that the Government is taking the Island’s relationship seriously following a period when they have been quite careless — if not cavalier — about it.

This started with the muddled negotiations over the US baselands which the Government, oddly for a party that has always supported Independence, eventually handed over to the UK to manage. The result was a cheque for $11 million and a massive and continuing environmental problem at Morgan’s Point.

Government’s avid pursuit of a closer relationship with Cuba then soured relations further. Regardless of the merits and demerits of “engagement”, it was guaranteed to annoy the US Government, but there did not seem to be much concern in the halls of government about that.

Finally, the merits of Government’s low profile approach on the criticisms of Bermuda over its tax policies remain debatable. While this approach was taken on the advice of Government’s advisors, a more robust defence of Bermuda may well have paid dividends.

So it is welcome that Government is now aiming to improve relations and to replenish the deep goodwill that the US has always had for Bermuda. No one should be under any illusions that the US will treat this visit the way it would the arrival of the Premier of China, for example, but Bermuda has an opportunity to show that it is a friend to the US and values the relationship.

In doing so, it may help to dampen any criticisms of the Island that are likely in the November mid-term elections and in the 2006 presidential elections. To that end, the meetings with Sen. John McCain, the early Republican front runner and Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, who is expected to throw his hat into the ring too, may be the most important discussions of all. If Democratic frontrunner Sen. Hilary Clinton can be put on the schedule too, then Bermuda may have made some important friends.