The political temperature in Bermuda is much higher than it should be for such a small island.

Most Bermudians who have watched the atmosphere deteriorate in recent decades, with political egos bursting at the seams, are beginning to wonder whether concerns of the people place a distant second over political ambitions.

Few would deny that despite progress in a number of areas of community life there is still a deep sense of divisiveness politically, and to some degree racially, that is preventing the growth Bermudians from all walks of life want.

Most would agree that there are no easy answers to the many problems facing the current Government, which was elected to take over the steering wheel with a long tough journey ahead, and an economic machine that was practically running on fumes.

Debate will probably rage for years over exactly how Bermuda, which once flourished in financial strengths, could be wobbling with an economy that has seen job losses at a staggering pace as many companies unable to sustain operational cost simply collapsed.

With the recent demise of a newspaper and a television station, and further job losses, the overall picture is not all that bright. Although the job situation at the moment is dismal, it is by no means a no-win situation, unless we choose a path of divisiveness.

Politicians resort to political war games to boost support. This may be a part of the democratic process, but often the electorate become disgusted when they detect underlying motives aimed at gaining political points, rather than solving problems.

The political arena can get quite nasty at times, but that is no reason the people should feel like pawns in a chess game.

It is no secret that the legacy of the Progressive Labour Party, who had 14 years to win the hearts and minds of Bermudians, fell terribly short in operating with promised transparency and accountability, especially in management of the public purse. It was not a question of them doing everything wrong, but when highly questionable events created questions without answers, confidence fades.

The same was true with the United Bermuda Party. They also did not do everything wrong, but they feel asleep at the wheel when it came to being in touch closely with community concerns. Even as the UBP drifted off the road no one really grabbed the wheel of communication to reach the soul of the Bermudian society. It is not how long you are in office, but how well you carry out expected responsibilities while there.

The One Bermuda Alliance also had a golden opportunity when they won a general election that indicated the populace wanted a change of direction for Bermuda. However, once again the question of transparency became a problem, and the end result was the downfall of a Premier, over a highly questionable trip on a private jet for discussion with an American businessman regarding potential investment in Bermuda.

It was a bitter pill for a new administration to swallow, after being so critical about the PLP Government in the lead up to the election. The OBA Government found itself in a struggle to regain its footing, and under new leadership is endeavouring to re-establish itself as committed to operating with transparency for the good of the people.

No one ever wants a Government to fail, and the electorate usually has a good memory, no matter which party is in power.

The electorate is not interested in political musical chairs. What they really want are people openly committed to serving them above party allegiance. That is going to be a problem because Bermudians are aware that our communities are still not quite ready for that table of brotherhood envisaged by the late Dr Martin Luther King.

Much of the world is still trying to learn that. Here in Bermuda with our small population we should be an example to the rest in respecting diversity as a part of the modern world. Unfortunately the world of politics has a way of igniting bitter clashes that too often create mistrust and disappointment over how best to deal with various issues.

If political war games continue with questionable motives, at a time when we urgently need better cooperation from all our leaders, it will take that much longer to eradicate the divisiveness standing in the way of a better Bermuda.