It’s a new government and, as in the 2012 election, the signature moment in the result was defeat of successive finance ministers, both losing their seats to newcomers.

The resounding defeat, which can be rightfully termed as a landslide victory, was a serious message coming after only 4½ years of governance by what was supposed to be a new party.

The One Bermuda Alliance victory of 2012 was in essence a loan granted by the Progressive Labour Party’s frustrated voters, who did not show up at the polls.

The OBA was given an opportunity, which was indeed a trial, but somehow it performed as though it was an inherent electoral pass as a mandate to return to the former days of its predecessor, the United Bermuda Party. Denials and defending itself from being branded as the UBP might have provided some temporary psychological pacification, but for strategic value for the party going forward, it is delusional.

The popular vote was almost 59 per cent, which is perhaps the highest margin of victory since the late 1960s.

The result means the OBA cannot just simply work a little harder or knock on a few more doors to reverse its fate.

It is left with the task of remaking a political organisation with a whole new philosophy and purpose.

This election is also a subtle political warning to the PLP and any government of the day that they must perform in the best interests of the country. Otherwise, life as a government can be short.

The work now begins and the PLP owes it to itself and the country to use this victory to set the record straight and restore the hope that was first given in 1998. This is truly a redemptive moment that has been granted to the PLP.

The PLP has a young parliamentary team, full of talented individuals and it will need to build a broad tent with the aim of healing the divisions in the community. It will need to be diligent as it looks at avenues of growth for our economy. Bermuda is still a strategically important location and has enjoyed economic prominence in the world that is not reflected in its social and economic parity among its own people.

Our socioeconomic chasm is a clear indication that something has been going terribly wrong.

There can be no expectation that parity can be achieved in one term or even two, but what may indeed be a generational phenomenon can begin — and there is no reason it cannot begin now.

The challenge is to reverse the negative economic balance by aiming for growth that can eliminate the debt, while building a new diverse, inclusive and sustainable economy.

This was believed, by some, to be the mandate given to the fledgeling OBA of 2012, but now has become the task endowed by the electorate, a task on which the PLP will be judged.