Dear Sir,

I find myself nodding in vigorous agreement with the piece by Denis Pitcher on July 4: politics today more closely resembles a football rivalry than public service. And he is of course correct that we, the public, lose when it is reduced to such terms.

It is hardly surprising to see the “divide to conquer” rhetoric being ratcheted up — I’m sure this is precisely what very expensive political consultants are telling our local politicians will get them the keys to Parliament. And, given the success of both the Brexit and Trump campaigns, one can hardly argue with that hypothesis.

However, Bermuda is a small community, one that requires interaction across all groups to function properly. Pitting one group against another — whether that be by party, profession or, of course, race — is simply detrimental to moving the island forward. It exacerbates existing tensions, creates new ones and hardens walls that need breaking down, not enforcing.

So what do we do? The answer is simply to work a bit harder, and be a bit better. To the politician: don’t take the easy road of populist platitudes and vacuous slogans; think about policies, about communities, craft a plan and articulate that to the electorate. And to us, the voters: give more and demand more. Give more of our time and attention, research what we’re being told, seek out and have discussions, formulate educated opinions. And demand that our politicians treat us accordingly.

It is a choice to let ourselves be divided for political gain, so choose wisely.

RYAN MARSHALL

Devonshire