mandate on the unnecessary Independence debate and then on the political turmoil resulting from the McDonald's debacle. It should have spent three years strengthening the party after a very close election. Now it has very little time left to settle down under a new leader and prove once again to the public that it is the best party to manage Bermuda.

Whether it can do that to the satisfaction of the people or not will depend on the choice of a new Premier. If, in the process of choosing a leader, the UBP shows any cracks it will lose the Country. For its own sake, the UBP must now demonstrate both control and calm.

If it is to move with any confidence toward the future, there are a number of issues which the UBP must put firmly aside. Those seeking to lead will have to make it clear to the people that they are willing to abide by the results of the Independence referendum and that there will be no move toward Independence in the forseeable future.

The party, and especially the parliamentary group, will also have to put McDonald's firmly aside. If the McDonald's controversy starts again then the UBP's chances at the next election will be slight no matter who the new leader is and McDonald's has already blighted David Saul's political career.

There may well be a temptation to try to turn back the clock and choose a Premier from the old guard. Among the longer serving House members the candidates appear to be Quinton Edness, C.V. (Jim) Woolridge and the forgotten man, John Irving Pearman. All three are experienced cabinet ministers but bring with them their past. This is probably not the occasion for the UBP to struggle to remake a leader's image if for no other reason than the shortage of time.

In any case it would seem to us that the time has come for young leadership and fresh faces. David Saul advocated just that when he answered press questions after his resignation speech.

The two obvious young candidates are Education Minister Jerome Dill and Environment Minister Pamela Gordon. Neither has a wealth of experience but they are both without baggage to drag them down.

Pamela Gordon has charm and charisma and great popularity. She has never had a major ministry but she has not made any bad mistakes in the ones she has had.

She presents herself well, speaks very well and always seems to be on top of her subject. She is a very appealing person with the magic name Gordon.

Choosing Pam Gordon to lead would make for a fascinating election contest between two women.

Jerome Dill was saddled by David Saul with that graveyard of politicians the Education Ministry but has not been damaged. He is a well educated professional man and that counts for a good deal in modern Bermuda. He is a good public speaker who comes across as very knowledgeable. While Jerome Dill does not appear to be a street politician, he has a popular and beautiful wife who is accustomed to being in the public eye.

The choice between the two is tough but we think that is where a sensible choice lies. The UBP should shed its old and rather staid image. Now is the time to change the guard and invest in youth. It is time for the UBP to make it clear to young black Bermudians that they can rise to the top.