chairman of the Telecommunications Board has nothing to do with Ms Lim's abilities or how she plans to do her job.

What it is all about is her lack of Bermuda status and the apparent hypocrisy of the Progressive Labour Party.

United Bermuda Party MP Gary Pitman's reaction to the appointment stems from the PLP's steadfast defence over the years of Bermudians' rights and demands that Bermudians be put in positions of responsibility.

It is true that in the last five years the PLP softened its position somewhat, in that it acknowledged the necessity and value of having non-Bermudians fill some posts. But this was always accompanied by the caveat that Bermudians should be prepared and trained to fill the jobs at some point in the near future.

But to onlookers, it is still surprising that Minister Renee Webb, having spent many years trumpeting the ability of Bermudians to govern themselves, should appoint a non-Bermudian to one of the most important and sensitive boards. Had a UBP Minister done the same, it strains credulity that someone in the PLP would not have criticised the appointment.

Ms Lim has argued that as chairman of the board, she holds just one of the 12 votes and her other responsibilities only go as far as organising meetings and ensuring board members have an agenda.

She may be technically correct, but the reality is that a chairman of a board is very much a first among equals, whose views can carry great weight among other members.

What gives Ms Lim's appointment greater resonance is that telecommunications is going through an especially ticklish period right now. International companies should be represented on the board as their success and viability in Bermuda is very much dependent on having good domestic and foreign telecommunications.

But it is ironic that the board should be chaired by a non-Bermudian executive of an international company at a time when Bermudian residents are facing the prospect of taking the bulk of the Bermuda Telephone Company's proposed increase in rates while overseas rates decline.

This is not to say that she is incapable of taking an objective view of the whole issue, or that the proposed rate changes are good or bad. We have to presume that Ms Lim can take a balanced view and that Ms Webb appointed her as the best person for the job.

The UBP has scored its political points. Both parties should now agree that any board appointment should be made on the basis of who can serve Bermuda's interests best. If that is Ms Lim in the case of the Telecommunications Board, then she should be allowed to get on with it.