Premier a chance to get his Cabinet running well and provide some quiet space for him to come to grips with the Country's problems. During the coming two months he will be thankful to be able to get on with the job free of the sniping of the Opposition and he should also be free of problems created by dissidents in his own party.

There is one over-riding factor which all politicians should be aware of at this time. The public has had enough political turmoil. We have had 18 months of divisive and damaging debate over Independence which would never have been raised by the United Bermuda Party if anyone had been listening to the people.

The people voted heavily against Independence because they want stability for Bermuda. They want a Country which is well run by responsible people.

For some time now it has been clear that too many of Bermuda' s politicians are in positions of power to further their own agenda and their own egos. They have forgotten the people they were elected to serve and they have forgotten that they have a duty first -- first, not after their ego trip -- to their Country.

The Country has gone through an ugly time. Tactics, threats and blackmail have been used by politicians in Bermuda -- Bermuda, not the Third World -- which are not acceptable in a democracy. There are now indications that some politicians plan to continue beating up on anyone they please. The public will not accept that and any number of UBP-held constituencies are in a mood to hold primaries and throw people out. Some of those who continue demanding their own way against the wishes of the people are in danger and must learn to behave.

We think the public understands that the Cabinet Premier Saul has appointed is not the best the UBP could provide. However the public knows it is the best the Premier could get at this time because some people have refused to serve.

The public wants the Cabinet to get on with the job of running Bermuda.

Primarily the people want Bermuda's business attended to.

Yet political fire intended to damage the new Saul Cabinet has already started.

One of the leaders of the Woolridge camp, Mrs. Ann Cartwright DeCouto, has attempted to damage her party's government by saying the Cabinet lacks "balance''. If that is the case, then she should have encouraged Mr.

Woolridge or some of his followers to join the Cabinet in realistic posts.

Another Woolridge supporter who refused a Cabinet post, Mr. Trevor Moniz, is quoted as saying that the Cabinet is comprised of "mugwumps''. A "mugwump'' is a generally derogatory term for a fence-sitter. Mr. Moniz cannot decline to serve his Country and then criticise those who do serve.

The danger for Bermuda is that this divisive behaviour will continue into the House of Assembly and make it difficult for Premier Saul to govern. If he cannot govern and the United Bermuda Party loses the next election the Woolridge camp must know that they will never be forgiven. Doubtless they think they could do better than Dr. Saul but the fact is that they lost the vote. Perhaps they should both do the Country a favour and go away and cool down until November and allow Dr. Saul and his Cabinet to get to work in peace.