the major questions and challenges facing Bermuda is what happens to the United Bermuda Party in opposition? It is not an easy question to address.

However it is probably fair to say that Bermuda needs an effective opposition.

It may be that an alternative party will emerge and that was the hope of the National Liberal Party but it showed little depth of support at the polls.

First of all, the Progressive Labour Party, in opposition for over 30 years, was held together by the glue of ideology, by the desire of black Bermudians to control their destiny and by the determination of some of the older members, notably Lois Browne Evans, that one day the PLP would win. It seems to us that the United Bermuda Party was never a political party as such. It was a loose and sometimes frazzled association of people which held together only because it was in power, it could manage and it could offer both new and old members, black and white, a shot at power and importance and the advantages which come with that.

The problem out of power is going to be how to rebuild the party with talented people who are willing to both work and wait. They will have to be people who believe that the UBP is best for Bermuda and that the PLP will falter in power. The UBP is now top heavy with white Parliamentarians, nine of its 14 House of Assembly members, and will need to attract young and talented black members. That may not be easy, especially out of office. It is no secret that the UBP was having problems attracting good candidates for this last election even though it was in power.

Now, because the UBP always had a tendency to put its heavyweights in marginal seats and to waste some safe seats on people who could not make a great contribution, like Trevor Moniz in Smith's South, it has lost far too many of its top people. Three of its MPs are in the House for the first time and several others were elected in by elections and have not had full terms.

Pamela Gordon is the only obvious Opposition Leader at this time, but it is not clear if she is enthusiastic about the job. Rebuilding the UBP will take careful political planning, a shift of emphasis to people issues, and the skill to hold the remains of the long serving Government together.

It has to be remembered that a majority of the people democratically elected the UBP for over 30 years, one of the longest unbroken stints for any party in democratic history. It also created a Country which was envied by most of the world. That is the UBP's legacy to the PLP, a Country in good working order, with very high standards and a strong economy.

Despite some of the election rhetoric, the PLP has not inherited a shell of a Country or a smoking ruin but a strong and prosperous Island with a well served and well educated population.