Keeping the status quo
The people have spoken, and judging by last night's results, they have said that they are generally satisfied with the status quo.
In returning the Progressive Labour Party and the United Bermuda Party to the House of Assembly with precisely the same seats and virtually the same shares of the popular vote as they did in 2003, the voters may not have given a ringing endorsement to the PLP, but they have said they wish it to continue in power.
Equally, Premier Dr. Ewart Brown cannot exactly claim an overwhelming personal mandate for his leadership, but he can take satisfaction that he did not lead the PLP to defeat or to a reduced majority, which many so-called experts on all sides were predicting.
Nor did he produce 30 seats or the destruction of the UBP, as he said he would a scant 13 months ago.
However, he has probably staved off a palace coup, and will no doubt now move to consolidate his power.
To some extent, this result also seems to vindicate the PLP's approach to this political campaign, which will be remembered as the nastiest in living memory. And it cannot be disputed that the Island is as divided as ever.
That's too bad on both counts, because now, more than ever, Bermuda needs a leader who can unite the Country. It is not at all clear that that man is Dr. Brown, in spite of his call for the healing to begin – after the election.
Still, Dr. Brown and the PLP can take some satisfaction in having seen off two leading UBP MPs in UBP leader Michael Dunkley and David Dodwell, in addition to St. David's MP Suzanne Roberts Holshouser.
Mr. Dunkley in particular was a major target for the PLP, and it seems to have worked, although he did reduce former Health Minister Patrice Minors' majority despite a huge effort on the part of the PLP to keep her in the House.
Mr. Dunkley's defeat leaves the UBP without a leader, and it is clear his gamble in moving to Smith's North backfired.
The UBP must also be bewildered over what more it needs to do to win power, having, for the second straight time, run a campaign and produced a platform that was more comprehensive and forward-looking than the PLP's.
Instead, its MPs will now have to look deep within themselves to decide how best to move forward. They will know now that they are up against a party led by a tough opponent who will seemingly do whatever it takes to retain power. It should be said that the UBP made one critical error when it released its platform when it committed, in principle, to granting Bermuda status to permanent resident certificate holders.
The PLP unsurprisingly exploited this chink in the UBP's armour to the full, and while it may have exaggerated its likely overall effect, they were able to use it effectively to make the argument – rightly or wrongly – that this was the same old UBP, up to its same old tricks.
All the same, no one should look at this election with much satisfaction.
There was little real debate on the issues that matter most to Bermudians, from crime to housing to education, plenty of mudslinging and name calling, and a general sense that allegations of wrongdoing can go unanswered.
It would be good for Bermuda if all politicians joined forces to rebuild their credibility, because in spite of Bermuda's normally high turnout, there is a general sense that politicians have done themselves no favours in this election.
Therefore, it would be welcomed if the PLP would take up at least some of the proposals put forward by the UBP for more transparency and accountability in Parliament.
To be sure, this is unlikely to happen, but there are good and honourable people in the PLP who know that the political system is not serving the Island well, and needs reform.
