with other countries. Internal politics are kept at home. Countries operate their external affairs as one for the greater good of the country. But, once again, Bermuda is another world. Usually the song indicates that Bermuda is a better world. This time that is not true.

There can be little doubt in anyone's mind that Premier Sir John Swan has done a magnificent job in trying to get the best bases deal for all Bermudians. The Premier has been doing everything he can and calling on every friendship he has to help Bermuda avoid the threat of sudden Kindley Field closure which could cost Bermudians a fortune to run the airfield.

Just as drugs impact on all segments of Bermudian society, so Kindley Field influences the life of every one of us. Talking to the United States about the bases is an area where we can and should be united.

The PLP leadership and PLP MPs have a right to travel anywhere they wish and to talk with whom they wish. If they want to attend the Black Caucus of the US Congress just as an election campaign begins in Bermuda, that is their business.

What they do not have a right to do is suggest that they represent Bermuda, because they are not the Government. Nor do they have a right to do or to imply anything which might damage the bases talks with the United States at this crucial time.

The Progressive Labour Party has done nothing to indicate that it understands the US bases in Bermuda. On the contrary, in recent years the PLP was so certain that the future of Kindley Field was secure that it wanted to get rent out of the American government which already had a free lease on the bases.

Yet, when the base crisis developed quickly in the wake of a devastating Sam Donaldson TV programme, the PLP reversed and said the UBP Government should have seen the base problem coming and should have been prepared for base closure! Then, when Sir John Swan began to travel in search of a good deal for Bermuda, first to Washington, then London, then Brussels, then again to Washington, the PLP, who wanted to charge rent, claimed that the Premier was only electioneering. Then, to compound its confusion, the PLP announced its own trip to Washington, clearly for no other reason than electioneering, and then claimed credit for the Premier's success in the United States. In other words, the PLP said it was all electioneering and a waste of time but, just in case the people like the idea, claimed, "We did it''.

Despite this blatant political nonsense at home, the Premier has had remarkable success in Brussels and in Washington and has had considerable help from the United Kingdom government because of face-to-face talks on these trips. A very bad situation for Bermuda is looking better. It would be tragic for all of us now if the PLP delegation went to Washington and caused confusion. The last thing any country does in the midst of complex and delicate negotiations with other countries is show two faces. The PLP must know that electioneering in Washington is not worth damaging Bermuda.