instincts she is fast putting those doubts to rest. The new Premier handles herself so well on television and in interviews that she appears as a well seasoned and experienced leader rather than new to her job.

Her appearance on the British Broadcasting Corporation World Service TV was thoroughly professional. She was asked two tough questions, one about Independence and one about who was behind her, and, without hesitation, answered both of them directly and forcefully. In the process she put to rest the doubts about her stand on Independence by firmly putting it aside and when asked who was behind her Premiership, made it very clear that Pamela Gordon was her own woman.

She is a good natural public speaker who comes across as both decisive and friendly. That is no easy combination to achieve. Those people who thought she might not be strong enough for the Premiership are fast beginning to sing her praises. Pamela Gordon has lifted an atmosphere of gloom which settled on Bermuda while the UBP fought with itself and she has achieved that in just a few short and very busy weeks. In fact she has hardly had time to warm her chair at the Cabinet Building.

There is a remarkable openness and a refreshing candour in the things she says. In a statement from the RIMS conference which she attended in Atlanta she is quoted as saying, "My biggest concern is that I want to make sure I represent Bermuda well and that's it ... I'm not caught up in myself about this.'' "I want to get the message across which will please not only the people of Bermuda, but encourage people who are watching (her CNN interview) to think of Bermuda as a tourist destination as well as a business jurisdiction.'' That is exactly what we think most Bermudians want Premier Gordon to do. It is difficult to imagine any of our former Premiers, except perhaps Sir David Gibbons, being so open.

The real test, of course, will come when Parliament sits and we can see how well she handles the often acrimonious floor of the House. It will be very difficult for sensible member of her own party to give her a hard time because she has solid backing and she is their hope for reelection and there are no more chances.

On the other hand, the Progressive Labour Party will have to tread cautiously for fear they will be seen as picking on a new and popular young woman Premier.

The threats, as we see it, may come from the remains of "The Five'', Trevor Moniz and Ann Cartwright DeCouto, who do not appear to be in support of a Gordon premiership. It does seem that both the dissident MPs have lost credibility with the general public by not getting behind a new leader who has overwhelming party support. If "The Two'' engage in party infighting once again they will threaten the future of their party and anger the UBP's followers.

Another threat would be the re-emergence of the McDonald's issue which the public sees as behind Bermuda but which we think is only resting. That issue blighted David Saul's premiership and is capable of doing the same to Pamela Gordon.