Politicians are considering stepping up their security after an MP’s car was destroyed in an arson attack.Few would go on the record but Opposition Leader Craig Cannonier said there is a general fear that it may be time for the country’s legislators to ‘watch their backs’ while conducting the people’s business.He was responding to the early morning firebombing of Mr DeVent’s car outside his residence on Friswells Road, in Devonshire, on Monday.“It does say one thing and this is very concerning for me, and that is we have turned down the road whereby the mindset of Bermuda today is [one of] no fear of attacking the Country’s leaders.“There’s a lot of talk among politicians that basically it may be time to step up security, that’s what everyone is saying. Some people are taking it a little further than maybe.“But the concern really is that we have to seriously consider security if this is going to happen to someone like Ashfield DeVent, and when I say someone like him I mean as a political leader of the Country.“There is a lot of talk about ‘I really need to be looking over my back now’ and you don’t want to be preoccupied by that. It is a sad day for Bermuda, there’s a lot of sad things, this is just another step in the wrong direction, a big step,” he said.Speculation was rife yesterday as to whether the attack was politically motivated or possibly linked to Mr DeVent’s role as chairman of the Parole Board. But to the One Bermuda Alliance leader the motive doesn’t matter, what does matter is an elected official was targeted.“Regardless of what triggered it, someone has attacked an MP,” said Mr Cannonier.“Regardless of what his job is, this is a loss of respect that we have in this Country and that’s a dangerous precedent. That means open season quite frankly whether or not people take that up but the mindset is what I’m concerned about, it’s where we are as a people with our mindset.“Everyday I see somebody running a red light, it’s a mindset that says we’re not going to respect authority and rules or regulations. Everyday you see someone driving while on a cell phone and it’s not just that but all kinds of things; we’re just disrespecting the authorities.“Regardless of what you think personally about someone they are in an elected office, they are in that position and it’s not just politicians, you could take a police officer that’s a respected position, there is a general disregard and disrespect in Bermuda.”He admitted that changing the mindset or reversing it would not happen overnight. “If it’s that easy and flippant for someone to attack a politician who is out there trying to do and work on behalf of the people of this Country, then we have a serious challenge in this Country,” said Mr Cannonier.“It tells me that the mindset of Bermuda is not where it needs to be and that could be for any number of reasons. But I do believe that we as leaders need to set the tone, that’s not to say that people won’t do silly things but when we have a people who quite frankly think nothing of doing something like this here it is a new day.“As leaders of the Country now we’ve got to seriously reconsider how we walk around the streets. Back in the day, in the era of Sir John Swan, it was okay. I do it every single day.“This incident did not cause me to pause but it did give me a sense of reflection because it’s natural for me to want to be out there with people so I will continue to do it.”But he said: “Immediately at the very top we need to set the tone and the precedence that we will not put up with this and it means really and truly that we’re going to have to be a lot more vigilant and strict about things.“It’s not a question of jail, we have got to set a level of respect and if you cross the line and it means incarceration or consequences. Right now the respect is gone and this incident marks a sad day for Bermuda period.”He described Mr DeVent as an “upright and very straightforward individual who speaks his mind”. “The first thing for me was to find out if he was okay and he assured me that he was fine.“He was upset that something like this could take place in Bermuda and that we are living in a new time. But initially my main concern was to make sure he was okay; cars are replaceable,” said Mr Cannonier.His comments were echoed by Jeff Baron, the OBA candidate vying for the seat currently held by Mr DeVent.“This is a shocking and perplexing incident. But that this incident happened at all — the firebombing of an MP’s automobile outside his home — is very disturbing,” said Mr Baron.“Nothing can be gained from such an act and we extend our total support to Mr DeVent and his family.”Meanwhile, police conducted door-to-door enquiries yesterday in the vicinity of the PLP backbencher’s home as the investigation continues.According to a police spokesman: “Officers for the Police Support Unit and Community Action Team have been patrolling the general area to provide community reassurance and support.“House-to-house enquiries have been carried out and several items have been seized for forensic examination.”Anyone who witnessed the incident or who may have information that will assist is urged to contact Detective Constable Chris Sabean at the Central Criminal Investigation Unit on 247-1392 or the main police number 295-0011.