While Premier Jennifer Smith took to the television airwaves on Thursday night, most of the Island tuned out it seems.

When The Royal Gazette hit the streets yesterday to gather reaction to the Premier's message that all of Bermuda should pull together to support the country and the tourism industry, 80 percent of those questioned said they had not heard the speech at all.

Both local television stations carried the Premier's address to Bermuda Thursday evening and The Royal Gazette printed the text of her statement in full its Friday edition.

However, most of those The Royal Gazette spoke with in Hamilton yesterday said they heard the Premier's message for the first time from the reporter.

Notable exceptions were Pamela Fubler and Rosemary Luckhurst. Both women said they had watched the Premier's address.

"It was nice to see her make an appearance for the public," said Ms Fubler.

However, she added the Premier might learn from some of Bermuda's past - and present politicians - about how to appeal to the man on the street.

"She could learn a few things from John Swan, Quinton Edness and Ottiwell Simmons on how to be people friendly, " Ms Fubler said.

"But it's nice to see her again, she needs to be a more public person. I think she is a very private person but she needs to be in the public eye in order for people to have respect for the Government."

Ms Luckhurst was less pleased with the televised address. "What message?" she questioned when asked her opinion.

"What a waste of time. She said a lot of nothing as far as I am concerned."

While the bulk of those who spoke to The Royal Gazette had not seen the Premier on TV, many were warm to her message that the community should pull together.

"Tourism is our livelihood," said Deborah DeShields.

"I think if we could come together it would be constructive. If we could convince the public, it could work."

"I think (tourists) already like Bermuda and if we pulled together it would be better still," added Jonnika Smith.

Many people thought the Premier's objectives were positive but were dubious about the likelihood of the country pulling together and overcoming old animosities.

"It's a good prescription in theory," said Kim Dismont-Robinson. "The question is whether Bermudians are actually willing to do it in practice."

She added: "Unfortunately, from various factors, ties in our community have eroded. I don't know if we have the feelings of collective responsibility that we once had."

"I'd say only about 50 percent of people want to pull together," said Moe Smith. "If everyone doesn't pull together, tourists aren't going to come to the Island."

Another man - who refused to be named said: "I think it is a good message. I don't think people can do it, but it is worth a shot. Any hint of change can be hard on an island like this."

"Of course it's a good message," agreed Lionel Thompson. "Is it realistic? It takes people to make it real. You can preach but if people don't want to pull together how can it become real?"

Stephanie Shaw of Warwick added her reflections on the Premier's statement through a brief letter to the Editor.

"Re: Unity for Bermuda," Ms Shaw wrote: "Madam Premier, lead by example."