problems. We think the people are tired of debilitating political shenanigans and ready to settle down to solutions. From its point of view, if the United Bermuda Party does not get itself together, choose a leader and get on with the people's business, not the politicians' business, the people's business, then it will lose the Country. That is now very clear.

We think Bermudians want some action towards problem solving. They are sated with political talk.

There is need now for a leader who can give us good management. Those people who think popularity is important to bring Bermudians together and heal the Country after a divisive fight are correct to a degree. But we think many people want a leader with proven ability more than they want popularity. There are things to be done. There is a need for major changes in the Cabinet, a restructured government, and a curb on the Civil Service which has to do the people's work and not the politicians' work.

Given our choice of a Premier we would, at this time, have gone for a black Parliamentarian and, probably, we would have gone for a younger person, Pamela Gordon or David Dyer or Jerome Dill. But the choice is now limited for us, and of the two front-running candidates, we think Dr. David Saul is the best equipped person.

Both candidates bring to the leadership race a good deal of baggage. The Hon.

C.V. (Jim) Woolridge is getting old, has a temper, and he is not a good listener. He is not in the centre of his party. Many people think that falling visitor figures indicate that he has not been a great success recently at the Ministry of Tourism. He is also better known for his street smarts and his popularity than he is for his management ability.

Mr. Woolridge would come to the Premiership indebted to Dr. Clarence Terceira for his support and Dr. Terceira has to be removed from the Ministry of Education before we tie the Country to an education mess for the next 20 years. Attacks from the Woolridge camp in the last few days do not indicate a wish for healing but for revenge. We also heard Mr. Woolridge say on radio that it would be possible to be both Premier and Minister of Tourism. That would be a disaster.

Dr. David Saul comes to the race with a high degree of dictatorial arrogance and a tendency to lecture which makes him unpopular. He has treated the people with contempt by refusing to discuss his position on Independence which is not, as he says, "water under Flatts Bridge''. Can he correct that and become a healing leader? He says so but we are doubtful. But Dr. Saul can rebuild. He is environmentally unsound, being a treasure diver and having stamped that highly controversial Harbour Road house. Like Mr. Woolridge, Dr. Saul is not a good listener at a time when the people want to be heard.

But he is a good manager. If he manages and does not try to be a "presidential'' Premier, he can get the job done. We think he will watch the cash and restructure Government. We also think he will understand the need to change the mega-school education policy and to restructure Bermuda's approach to tourism. Dr. Saul might even get rid of those irksome government cars.

Neither man is ideal. A wide spectrum of people feel that either of these men would mean the end of the UBP. That party has done a good job recently of tearing itself apart. If Dr. Saul stays a short time and gets things done maybe that will be enough. If he cannot achieve the popularity which should come with success, then he may well have to pass on the leadership to the younger generation.