Bermuda Party calling itself the Alpha Omega Group, whatever that title means.

It is a peculiarity of Bermudian politics that tiny factions which might be easily dismissed in other countries can emerge and be taken rather seriously.

It says a great deal for the health of freedom of the Press in Bermuda that these groups are able to make themselves heard no matter how slight their cause or how tiny their membership. We do not know but we suspect that Alpha Omega is only one or two UBP mavericks suffering from political sour grapes.

If it is just sour grapes, then those sour grapes are best lanced in the confines of a party caucus rather than as a public issue worthy of public concern and comment. Alpha Omega's cause seems to be an objection to pinstriped suits and a claim that the UBP needs to consider the grass roots.

Of course, every political party needs to consider the grass roots but political parties also need to consider the usefulness of brains and talent in Parliament because dummies only warm the back bench.

Alpha Omega is strident in its criticism of chosen UBP candidates which leads us to think that the Alpha Omega personalities might be either unsuitable candidates or hopeful candidates jealous of those already selected. As nearly as we can detect, the UBP has gone to some lengths this time to find qualified candidates with some public experience. The UBP has also sanctioned party primaries to choose candidates, even in the district of a sitting Cabinet minister, despite the fact that primaries themselves carry the risk of damaging the UBP's image as a united party. Perhaps Alpha Omega would like to join up with the PLP and suffer the vagaries of dictated candidates.

We are concerned only because these tiny groups are in danger of falling into the destructive pattern set by the Concerned Bermudians group which caused considerable disruption and achieved precious little. Bermuda has problems which need to be worked on in a sensible way and which need to be solved.

Mouthy splinter groups only distract the Country from its business, which may be their real intent, and cause leaders of any party to expend their energies in non-productive ways. These groups know they will achieve no real result and sometimes set out, we think, simply to have some sport with the political leaders. That is their democratic right and they might well find it fun but they have to consider that it is also damaging to the country.

The Country's business in troubled times, and no-one denies that these are troubled times, takes care and concern. That care and that concern on the part of all Bermuda's leaders should not be distracted unnecessarily or toyed with for sport.