The other day, Premier Alex Scott accidentally sent me an e-mail from his Blackberry.

Dated 30 September 2005, the message appeared to be intended for Beverle Lottimore, director of the Government's Department of Communication and Information.

"Madame Director," the e-mail began. "I was concerned to read about the e-mail that I inadvertently sent to Tony Brannon last week in today's Mid-Ocean News.

"It's important that I correct any negative perceptions generated by this e-mail as soon as possible; to this end, I have had CedarBridge Principal Mrs. Kalmar Richards help me draft a letter of explanation.

"If you remember, last month Mrs. Richards acknowledged that the graduation rates in our public senior schools were unacceptable and outlined the actions being taken to improve them. The public seemed to appreciate her honesty more than the Education Minister's bullish defence of the statistics a couple of weeks earlier. As such, I have decided that we should adopt a similar approach.

"Please schedule a Press conference as soon as possible. Let the media know that I will be reading this letter and answering any questions about its contents. P."

The e-mail had a Microsoft Word document attached. I opened it up.

"Fellow Bermudians," it began. "Today the Mid-Ocean News published an e-mail I drafted with the intent that it be sent to the Director of Communication and Information. However, I inadvertently forwarded the transmission to Mr. Tony Brannon, from whom I'd received an unsolicited e-mail.

"I would like to apologise unreservedly to everyone who may have been offended when I said that I was tired of listening to and taking crap from people who look and sound like Tony Brannon. It sometimes seems like the most vocal critics of the PLP Government are white, and in the heat of the moment, that did lead me to make what I accept was a racially prejudiced statement.

"My comment was wrong, particularly given Bermuda's unresolved racial issues and my position as leader of the country. While there can be no excuse for my behaviour, I was under a great deal of stress at the time and Mr. Brannon's e-mail was rather discourteous. Nevertheless, I have spoken to Mr. Brannon directly to apologise and I have offered to meet him to discuss his concerns and ideas for tourism. I sincerely hope this will demonstrate that there is no ill-will between us, and that this Government is prepared to listen to its critics, regardless of their skin colour.

"I would also like to take this opportunity to apologise to those Bermudians who signed the Bermudians for Referendum (BFR) petition and were offended by my comment that "folks signed this and didn't know what they were signing". It was insulting and again, not befitting someone in my position. I regret making it.

"The PLP remains committed to the idea of Independence for Bermuda. Nevertheless, we recognise that most of you are unconvinced of the benefits. I want to reassure you that this Government will not take Bermuda independent unless a clear majority of you unambiguously express your desire for us to do so. I also understand that you are concerned that a protracted debate may distract us from addressing the pressing issues in the Social Agenda.

"As such, a referendum on Independence will be held on May 29th next year ? the week after Bermuda Day. To ensure a close result does not lead to a divided post-Independence Bermuda, 60 percent of the ballots cast must be in favour of Independence, with a turnout of at least 70 percent.

"Yours in Service, Premier Alexander Scott JP, MP."

As I finished reading the Premier's e-mail, I felt a pang of sympathy for him. We all have our prejudices, and the Premier's speedy response and contrite tone clearly indicated that he regretted what he had said to Mr. Brannon. I was glad that the two of them would now be working together to improve tourism.

It was also good to hear the Premier apologise for his comment about those who signed the BFR petition. I admired him for admitting he was wrong.

And what a relief to hear that Independence will be decided by a referendum after all! I respected Mr. Scott for having the courage to make the issue a free vote. If he maintains such a principled approach in the subsequent campaign, I thought, he might even be able to turn public opinion around.

I sat back in my chair, smiling. How nice it was to have a Government so fair, so straightforward, so ready to admit their mistakes. Sure, maybe they've been finding it tough to deal with the housing problem, improve education and tackle crime, but they sound like decent people. They're probably doing their best.

Outside, on the road, I heard a fire engine go by. The siren had an odd sound: not a wail, more of a?

Beep, beep, beep went the alarm clock.

I awoke with a start.