of leadership taking the bull by the horns.

In an exclusive interview, The Royal Gazette's Nea Talbot sat down with the Premier and asked her to reflect on the past two years of the Progressive Labour Party Government and its vision for Bermuda in the future.

Q. You have officially entered your third year as Premier can you please reflect on the last two years, personally and professionally? A. I am very pleased with the progress that Government has made to date. I am constantly amazed with the hard work of the Ministers and I think that we are pretty much on target with what we have been doing for three years. We have achieved quite a lot I think in just a short period of time and I recognise that to many it's not enough or it's too slow, but speaking in Governmental terms, you have to understand that prior to our victory, Bermuda had never ever seen a change of Government, and we're coming in with different policies and different philosophies, so to turn around a Government machinery, and have interruptions with Governmental services, I am very pleased with the progress made to date.

Personally I am pleased I am entering 2001 in pretty good health and that has as much to do genetically as anything else. I do have a lot of energy and I do have a lot of stamina, so that's why I think I am able to cope with the demands of office. But I would expect that as we get things in place and put things in order the demands would be less strenuous.

Q. What do you ultimately envision for the Island in years to come, with the changes in the Constitution and Parliamentary representation? A. I envision an Island where in the past people took it for granted that they could not look for certain jobs, and thought certain areas were closed to them -- it's who you know, you have to be a particular person -- I would hope that would change to where people feel that if they had the qualifications, the experience, then they could say `I know the job is mine' and that they could aspire to the highest heights of any area and that there are no glass ceilings or otherwise.

It is not who you know but the quality of your skills and character. I also expect a much more positive attitude and I am pleased to say that within the Civil Service we have seen that. I mentioned in one of my speeches that workers are burning the midnight oil in the Government offices. There is a whole different attitude and there is definitely a change and a working together. We are getting many complimentary comments about various Government areas and I am very encouraged by that fact.

Q. The Premiership is, without question, a round the clock task. How do you find the time to balance home and work. Have friendships been affected? A. You just don't sleep. As far as I know all my friends are still intact. I have seen them all over the holiday period, I have a new great-niece. I visited her in the hospital. We (friends and family) try to stay as close as we can. I mean we don't call each other everyday, but I am very lucky actually that many of my friends are working with Government in many areas. Many are working with the party. So in the course of my various responsibilities, I often see friends. I am in St. George's once a month, that is my constituency and I try to find time to canvass. But I try to keep as much of a normal life as possible, recognising that it is not normal. I am very grateful that my friends are very supportive. When I had to move into Laurels, it was my friends that packed up my clothes and moved me in. I expect it to get easier though, people tell me that it won't happen, but I believe that it will.

Q. It's no secret that you are very much involved in the arts and were a strong champion for education. Are you still actively involved since becoming Premier? A. I take a great interest in education, the Minister (Milton Scott) often jokes `You know, the people should know that we have two Ministers for education,' but I always say that there is only one Minister for education and he keeps us very informed. I have to keep current with what is going on. But education is something where everyone has an opinion and I would think that everyone should get involved in education.

Q. Can you elaborate on changes in the Constitution? A. On August 18, we laid out our platform and indicated in the House of Assembly that we intended to make changes to the Constitution in the fall of 2000. That is the issue and there should be no confusion to the fact. That is within the guidelines of the Government.

Q. You have spoken about challenges with the various media, Madam Premier, and the public has expressed that at times they rely on the media to stay abreast of what is going on in Government. How do you think that relations can be improved? A. When you are talking about the printed media it's very easy to see if the story is corrupt or not -- simply just go to the back issues. I think that the issue is that the Premier was in the news and on the front page all the time and now the Premier is not, that is factual. There was no big love affair with myself and the media pre-November 1998 and that's a fact. What has happened prior 1998 has worsened. It appears that what one reads is attributive of that fact. But I recognise that it extends to all of Government, there is a certain slant. You ask how it can be improved, when I came into office, I met with the editor of The Royal Gazette and I met with the editor of the Bermuda Sun and we have had frank discussions and I just don't know what else I'm supposed to do. But I do understand from several reporters that prior to our Government, there was a position where the Premier would make all the statements, but that is not our policy. I have capable, effective and eloquent Ministers. We are a team. It is a Cabinet Government and we work together and I let all my Ministers speak on their areas. And I speak on the area where I am responsible. That's been our policy from day one. And wasn't it recently that the public said that they don't know who these Ministers are. Well that's one of the reasons why they are in the media forefront. Why call me to ask about the subject of transportation. We have a Minister who is more than capable to give a response. If it is about the subject of tourism, Minister Allen is the one to talk to. It shouldn't be projecting Jennifer Smith alone, but the team.

Over the past year, I have given 11 interviews locally and 10 internationally.

But we are looking at ways to improve the communication aspect between Government, the public and the media.

Q. The US economy is slowing down and Chairman of the Federal Reserve Board, Alan Greenspan, has lowered interest rates. We feel a trickle-down effect from the US economy, how do you think Bermuda will fare? A. You probably need to talk to Finance Minister Eugene Cox about that, because I take my cue from him. But our economy is doing quite well and last year Mr. Cox had a very good year. He certainly has his finger on the pulse as to what is going on in the US and I think that the Minister of Finance has that well in hand.

Q. The recent public meetings debating long-term residency and the Constitution seemed to open up some wounds. What are your thoughts on that and what role do you see yourself playing? A. I only attended one meeting and it's clear that it was emotionally charged.

I cannot comment on individual people's perceptions, except to say that we did not always have this type of forum where people can stand up and express their views openly. Yes, sometimes people can say things that can hurt your feelings, yes there are emotions involved, but the process of maturing is not an easy one and Bermuda is going to be a place of maturity where we can speak frankly without it being offensive and without being offensive. Have we reached that place yet? Probably not, but you have to understand that this is very new to Bermuda to be able to speak frankly. You can count on one hand the amount of public meetings the Opposition held outside of an election year. It is true that Bermudians are speaking out more. It is a process that brings with it some adjustment about how to talk with one another. I think that it will move to a community who understands each other better. I hope that people will get to a point where they can say `that even though I don't agree with you, I understand how you reached that opinion'. Because this is a community that is newly learning how to respect one another.

Q. Finally Madam Premier, if it had to end all today, your Premiership, what would you think is your greatest achievement and what would you want your legacy to be? A. I would say the achievement of this Government to date would include changes to the Election Act, meaning that we would no longer have to register every year and which means that we would no longer lose our constitutional rights every year. I think that opening up the Civil Service was an accomplishment. In other words if you are asking me if it all had to end today, would I feel comfortable with what I have done? I answer not to myself, but to a higher being and to the public of this country and I am comfortable within myself that I have done my best. I have promised to work hard for the country and my constituency and that's all I set out to do. I will work hard, I will do the job to the best of my ability, that's all that I have ever promised, so if I have done that I am happy.

Measuring progress: Premier Jennifer Smith talks of achievements so far and work still to be done.