The comments by my deputy are very disappointing and contrary to the spirit I have brought to the political table — that you air your concerns internally, work things out and then, externally, work together for the good of this Country.

It is about teamwork. It is about putting the people first. Only when a political party is seen in that light can it win the trust of the people, which is mission critical for any politician who wants to serve the public good.

The United Bermuda Party has a long history of airing its dirty linen in public and then hanging it on the line to dry.

That history is a result of the diversity that has always been at the centre of our party. I would not trade our diversity, and the spirit of inclusiveness it embodies, for anything because it reflects Bermuda. It makes consensus-building on any given issue difficult to reach, but that is the nature and the challenge within the United Bermuda Party and Bermuda as a whole. I am sometimes envious of the Progressive Labour Party and its ability to keep its serious internal divisions "in the room", but they are a more controlling, party-first entity.

Not so the United Bermuda Party. We are a more open, more tolerant, Country-first party. The downside is that we can be less disciplined in the way we appear to the public, sometimes losing in control what we gain by the open exchange of ideas.

This is the background against which I read the comments of Mr. Moniz. His words were obviously not helpful. Not only did he openly criticise me, but he did not help the cause of the party at this time.

Trevor has not always been a team player. He is an immensely capable fellow, smart and tough, and I have seen the value he can bring to the table, but something sometimes prevents him from working as effectively as he can with others. I know his colleagues want him to be more constructive and supportive of the team, and it is in that spirit and recognising the diversity we all need to believe in that I will continue to work with him.

Naturally, I am disappointed in Trevor's comments, particularly given the position he holds, but this is not the time or forum for politicians to beat up on each other. Bermuda today must be about bridge building and reaching out so that we can come together as one people. The politics of division so well practised by the current Government is anathema to the better Bermuda the UBP was founded to bring about.

Now is the time, more than any I can remember, for politicians of all stripes to focus on Bermuda. The people of this country need leadership that helps us get past the extreme challenges of inequity, runaway crime, failing education reform, fiscal indiscipline, recession and layoffs. Those challenges continue to be the real focus for the United Bermuda Party, and that is what you will hear me and my parliamentary colleagues speak to in the weeks and months ahead, including Trevor Moniz.