people. They are careerist. They don't read books. It will be much more difficult to find good prime ministers, or even ministers, in the future.

Those are the sentiments of Lord Whitelaw who as deputy prime minister of Britain was known for being one of the few men whose advice Margaret Thatcher heeded. He was quoted in an interview in The Daily Telegraph, London. He is the man of whom Lady Thatcher said, "Every prime minister needs a Willie.'' Lord Whitelaw, for whom most political problems boil down to moral formulas, goes on to say some things which are astounding because they fit so exactly in Bermuda's politics today.

"It's all about conduct. The Tories are suffering from something new -- disloyalty to the leader. It has become the form for today. If that stays with us which it probably will, we will lose the election. It's preposterous nonsense to talk of a new leader just because things are going badly.'' This is the man who said that he disliked Margaret Thatcher at first but knew he had to support her. He said that they were good political friends but were not real friends and that he would not have wanted to know her socially.

It is difficult to imagine Bermuda's politicians taking that selfless approach today yet it is the approach which might best benefit the Country.

"The party doesn't seem to understand that you can't play about. You have to support the Government; that's one thing I learnt during my political career -- otherwise you can't go on. That's what happened to Labour. It looks like it's happening to us.'' Lord Whitelaw might have been reviewing Bermuda's political scene. That is what happened to the Progressive Labour Party even though it is a few years ago now and the present party in power does not seem to understand that you can't play about. It's impossible to imagine William Whitelaw destroying his party over a McDonald's franchise. But then it is also impossible to imagine him voting with Labour to censure Margaret Thatcher.

For William Whitelaw politics was about loyalty. "It is the thing, loyalty, you know,'' he said.

He had an opportunity to become leader of the Tory party in Britain in 1975 but gave it away when he decided not to stand against Edward Heath. By the time Heath looked certain to be defeated, Whitelaw had no chance against Margaret Thatcher. But it does not seem to have bothered him. He held no grudge. He was a party man.

Bermuda has too many grudges. Too few party people. Too many people who are only out for themselves. Too little loyalty. And altogether too much playing about.

Unlike Margaret Thatcher, David Saul does not have a Willie Whitelaw and we doubt that he would listen to him even if he did. That too is a real part of the problem today.