Many people seem to be ready to say good riddance to 2025 tonight and are hoping that 2026 will bring better tidings.

Certainly the world feels more polarised and less secure than ever, not least because the US has become an uncertain and unreliable partner and ally to many countries.

There is also the continuing war in Ukraine, where President Donald Trump, having failed to bring the war to and end in 24 hours as promised, is struggling to bring about any break in the fighting whatsoever.

Economic uncertainty continues to abound. Much of the world has struggled with low productivity in the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic, and western economies have largely been slow to recover.

President Trump’s love affair with tariffs continues, and it is still not clear if, or when, he will unleash another raft of hikes which could cause disarray for global economies.

For Bermuda, this present a number of difficult challenges. The island has remained largely under the radar and will hope it stays that way.

Even without the uncertainty engendered by Bermuda’s giant neighbour, the island faces a number of challenges.

While the economy has been growing overall, and the re/insurance industry has been doing well, the domestic economy has made less progress and many local companies struggle. The same is true for people. Some are doing fantastically well while others are living paycheque to paycheque at best.

This growing inequality has to be tackled. It’s the have-nots who are hit hardest by the cost of living and the rental housing crisis. These are also the people who are least likely to have health insurance.

Tackling this is easier said than done. But finding ways to give people a step up into stable lives, jobs and worthwhile careers is critical. Ensuring that people have food, shelter and healthcare are fundamental to a stable society.

While it is difficult to precisely connect Bermuda’s problems with violence with inequality, it is also likely that feelings of alienation drive young people into gangs and the drugs trade.

People who are imbued with hope for the future do not take up guns and commit murders.

At the same time, it is impossible to wait for a more equal time in Bermuda and do nothing about crime in the meantime. The first obligation of any community, let alone government, is to ensure the safety and security of its inhabitants.

That requires that laws are understandable and understood and that they are enforced. The alternative is anarchy.

The Governor, the Government and the police have joined forces to improve policing in Bermuda, and to put a stop to violent crime. While seven people have been murdered this year, there are more victims of violence who are forgotten, not to mention victims of sexual and physical abuse.

The authorities have been at pains to say it is not possible for Bermuda to police its way out of the problem, but policing has to be the starting point.

So is ensuring that cases are dealt with in a timely manner. While the Covid-19 pandemic threw a wrench in court calendars, it is unacceptable that even relatively minor cases take a year to be tried in Magistrates’ Court and jury trials can take even longer.

These are basic issues which need to be resolved before or at the same time as tackling the societal problems that may give rise to crime.

Nonetheless, strides can be made by dealing with education. The government’s education restructuring has caused a major upheaval in schools.

While the signature school curricula in senior schools have been praised in some quarters, the general uncertainty over school closures cannot be good for parents, children or teachers.

At least Crystal Caesar, the current Education Minister, has brought a dose of realism, pausing the schools closures schedule to ensure changes are both needed and affordable.

While the reforms are undoubtedly well intentioned, the disarray they cause is the last thing students need now. In the new year, energy should be focused where it belongs - on student progress.

One of the other solutions to reducing inequality is to make healthcare more widely accessible. Since 2017, the Government has been trying to introduce universal healthcare.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, this process has been more complicated than expected, and eight years later, despite some progress and the production of a national health strategy, it remains an unfulfilled promise.

Bermuda spends more per capita on health than any country other than the US, and spends the third highest proportion of gross domestic product on health.

Yet one in two people suffer from a chronic disease and in general, health outcomes trail many other western countries. While the island’s own high cost of living contributes to the cost of healthcare, the challenge is clear; Bermuda must do better.

Yesterday, Bermuda recorded its 11th road fatality of the year. Poor driving is both a safety issue and a health problem. Too many people end up in emergency when they are lucky enough to survive a crash. Too many people end up with brain damage and head injuries, reducing their own quality of life and that of their families.

More often than not, this is due to the desire to get somewhere five minutes faster on an island that is 20 miles long. Too often, alcohol or drugs are causes of the collisions. The introduction of static cameras will help here, but an increased police presence is also necessary.

At the same time, this is a personal decision. Stopping a friend from driving drunk or choosing not to speed would save lives.

For most people, Bermuda is a magical place to live, which despite its flaws, offers a quality of life that most of the world can only dream of. But that is of little solace to those who experience only struggle and want.

In 2026, all residents should commit to being their “brother’s keeper” and should do just one thing to make the lives of those who are grappling with getting the basic necessities of life a little better.