Bermuda is going through a challenging time as it attempts to regain its economic footing in the face of numerous problems affecting the lives of everyone, whether they are for the government of the day, the One Bermuda Alliance, or the Opposition, the Progressive Labour Party.

The real test for this island is whether our political leaders from both sides can rise above the dark clouds of mistrust and divisiveness to strengthen the pillars of democracy while standing firm with values such as truth, respect, and integrity. During tough times, when the economic candle is seen as flickering instead of burning brightly, disappointment and anger over what is being done to get a better flame can threaten the very core of our value structure. This is true especially when we lose sight of being respectful towards one other amid disagreements in seeking solutions.

Transparency and accountability are key ingredients for all politicians and those aspiring to public office. While no one is perfect, the electorate have every right to hold them accountable when they are perceived to be operating below the bar of expected standards. The Opposition is in that position today because it ignored the danger signs when in office, as public confidence was slipping over the handling of the public purse.

It was not a question of the former government doing everything wrong. That would be not only untrue but unfair to those elected PLP members who felt something was wrong when the Office of the Auditor-General set off warning bells over a number of transactions, with more questions than answers over how money was being spent. After relentless questioning from sections of the public, a Commission of Inquiry has been engaged to attempt to get to the bottom of serious allegations. The public will have access to hearings.

Whatever is uncovered, the ultimate concern for all is that it will be the truth, with evidence to support whatever is the outcome. Most Bermudians are likely to accept that.

Meanwhile the OBA Government, after three years in office, has failed to make the impact that it had hoped for after seizing power from a government that some felt would never be unseated in the wake of the demise of the United Bermuda Party.

Such a fate can occur with any government when the people form doubts about how it is performing in serving the people; the PLP knows that scenario only too well.

Although there are positive signs that there could be a dim light at the end of the economic tunnel, the OBA needs to improve its communication with the public on a number of issues that have voters wondering whether much has changed since it took office. Remember, it is not what the politicians think, but rather what the people perceive to be a problem that matters.

For example, the Blackwatch Pass roundabout improvement is a case in point. With a tight economy, no one really wants to hear that engineers stumbled in getting things right, resulting in the project being far more costly than originally planned. Such blunders at a time when money is badly required to support those in need is not a vote winner. The improvement for that junction will be appreciated, but not the way it was handled.

Speaking of how things are handled, Bermuda can ill afford any protests that deviate from being respectful, along with disregarding laws that protect both the protester and the public. Our disagreements should never be allowed to explode into emotional rage that threatens the ability to reason with one another. The right to protest must be protected along with the rights of those with an opposing view.

We must accept that there will never be full agreement by everyone on highly sensitive issues such as same-sex marriage or immigration reform. That does not necessitate throwing the island into a political civil war at a time when we need co-operative thinking in striving for a consensus that, it is to be hoped, would enhance efforts to solve community problems.

There are positive projects in the air for helping to boost the island’s tourist industry, and perhaps our economy, but infrastructure stability is essential as we wade through rough economic waters.

Our elected parliamentarians are expected to clash from time to time, but throughout their deliberations they must be seen to uphold dignity and respect, since true democracy thrives on transparency and accountability.