Democracy rarely collapses in a single moment. More often, it erodes gradually -- when standards slip, when conduct overshadows purpose and when public confidence begins to fray. In such moments, the most important question is not who is right or wrong but whether our democratic institutions are strong enough to withstand disagreement without losing the trust of the people they serve.

This challenge is not unique to Bermuda. It was a central theme at the recent Commonwealth Parliamentary Association Conference, where parliamentarians from 56 countries, representing nearly 30 per cent of the world’s population, gathered to reflect on the state of democracy and the pressures facing legislatures globally.

The CPA exists precisely for moments like these.

Established in 1911, the CPA is one of the world’s oldest parliamentary organisations. Its role is not symbolic. It provides a clear framework for democratic conduct through instruments such as the CPA Recommended Benchmarks for Democratic Legislatures and the Latimer House Principles, which together emphasise accountability, ethical behaviour, respect for dissent and the protection of institutional integrity.

At the heart of these standards is a simple truth: public trust is democracy’s currency. Without it, laws lose legitimacy, debate becomes performative and institutions weaken.

Parliamentary ethics are sometimes dismissed as matters of decorum or personality. In reality, they are about institutional credibility. The CPA Benchmarks make clear that democratic legislatures must maintain standards of conduct that uphold public confidence, ensure transparency and safeguard the dignity of the institution.

Unsubstantiated allegations, particularly when made in parliamentary spaces, carry consequences far beyond the moment in which they are uttered. When behaviour within parliamentary chambers becomes the focus of public attention, the cost is borne not by individuals alone, but by democracy itself. Cynicism deepens. Engagement declines. And trust, once lost, is difficult to restore.

Democracy is not unanimity. It depends on debate, challenge, and disagreement. But democratic maturity lies in recognising that dissent must operate within shared norms.

As Barbados Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley reminded delegates at the CPA Conference: “In democracies, the decision and the dissent can live under the same roof.” That balance is essential. Dissent strengthens democracy when it is exercised with respect for rules, institutions and the public interest.

The Latimer House Principles reinforce this balance by protecting freedom of expression while affirming the need for order, restraint and mutual respect. Democratic strength is measured not by the absence of conflict but by how disagreement is managed.

It is easy to uphold principles when politics is calm. The real test comes during moments of tension and scrutiny. That is precisely why standards exist; not as abstract ideals but as practical guides when judgment matters most.

The CPA Benchmarks remind us that parliamentarians are not merely political actors; they are custodians of democratic institutions. Their conduct shapes public perceptions of fairness, legitimacy and governance itself.

Bermuda has a proud parliamentary tradition and a strong democratic foundation. But strength should never breed complacency. Moments that test public confidence should be met not with defensiveness but with reflection and recommitment.

Reaffirming ethical standards is not an admission of weakness. It is a declaration of responsibility — to democracy, to accountability and to the people whom Parliament serves.

Democracy is not inherited automatically. It must be practised daily — through restraint, integrity and respect for the institutions that give it life.

Public trust is fragile but it is renewable when leaders choose standards over spectacle and principle over provocation. In the end, parliamentary ethics are not about protecting politicians. They are about protecting democracy itself.

• Lauren Hayward Bell is a government senator and the Junior Minister of Health, Economy and Labour, and Housing and Municipalities