What a difference a few years makes. It almost seems as if the PLP is in the predicament that the UBP found itself in right after the 2008 General Election. Somewhat in tatters but definitely in transition. When you’re winning or think you have a good chance, everybody just plays along; especially if you’re the Government. When you lose, people get real, say what they mean and listen to the consciences that they’ve been ignoring for years just to play party line.Ignorant, selfish and narrow-minded critics will not understand why MP Terry Lister has left the party. The PLP have sent him a message for a long time to which he finally listened. Same with Randy Horton, now the Speaker of the House. Let me explain.I have on pretty good authority that both of these experienced, veteran, seasoned politicians were essentially told that they had to go, on many occasions, for a few years. Some messages said exactly this to them and others were subtle messages sent by the actions and decisions made by the party leadership. Let me explain further.I was talking to a buddy of mine who is a CA and a CFA, has run an international business; so let’s say he knows some stuff. We agreed that there was something wrong with the fact that MP Terry Lister, also a CA with several years of experience with a major accounting firm, was never made Minister of Finance during his career!It either suggests that he didn’t want it or they didn’t want him. I’m sure at some point he would have wanted it, especially in the early days after 1998 when the PLP first swept to power. I would have made him Minister of Finance then if I was the Premier/Party Leader. Why? Because that seems to me like the logical and sensible thing to do. It’s like having a committee and you have an accountant who wants to serve. So you make him the secretary? No, make him or her the treasurer. Duh.But you see politics is not logical. These types of decisions are often based on favours, who the leadership likes, payback for support or something else, who the leader feels they can trust, who is not going to challenge the leadership any reason other than logic or common sense.Mr Lister was a Minister of Labour, Telecommunications and perhaps a few others that I cannot recall, but never Finance. It could be that an opportunity was missed. Terry Lister has essentially been snubbed by the PLP for years.Same with the Speaker Mr Horton. He could have been Minister of Tourism or Minister of Youth and Sport. Mr Horton was a professional soccer player back in the day for the Cosmos and Washington Diplomats he played with Pele for Heaven’s sake. He was Captain for Somerset’s successful Cup Match Team in 1979. He worked as a senior manager in the Ministry of Tourism before going into politics. He just retired from working at Fairmont Hamilton Princess. So Tourism and Sports were obvious options for MP Horton but again an opportunity was missed.These two gentlemen were sent a message over a number of years that despite their credentials, their services were not needed or wanted and that they had to go. So guess what? They did.Bermuda as a country has become more politically mature and it seems that we have dragged the UBP and are now dragging the PLP, both kicking and screaming into Bermuda’s new political and social reality for 2013 and beyond. Well done Bermuda.And now the top 20.Improving to #1 is Don’t Stop The Party, by Pitbull.Tumbling to #2 is Beauty and a Beat by Justin Bieber and Nicky Minaj.Improving to #3 is a former essential new tune, Thrift Shop by Macklemore and Ryan Lewis featuring Wanz.Falling to #4 is Locked Out Of Heaven by Bruno Mars.Improving to #5 is Right Now by the queen of pop, Rihanna, featuring David Guetta, the king of dance music and remixes.Up to #6 is Too Close by Alex Clare.Improving to #7 is Na Na Na by Akon.Slipping to #8 is Diamonds by Rihanna, easily the most popular artist on the planet.Down to #9 is Scream and Shout by will.i.am and Britney Spears.Tumbling to #10 is a former essential new tune, Whistle, by Flo Rida.On the way up at #11 is F*ckn Problems by A$ap Rocky.Improving to #12 is Don’t You Worry Child, by the Swedish House Mafia featuring John Martin.Up to #13 is Bring It To Me by Kes and the Band.Up to #14 is She Ready by Machel MontanoStay by Rihanna joins the list at #15New at #16 is Nah Go Change (One Cent)by DemarcoNow this week’s essential new track. In at #17 is Surge by Clockwork featuring Wynter Gordon. This is a smooth, bouncy, catchy house track with a sweet, catchy melody.Joining the list at # 18 is Drive Me Crazy by Beenie Man. This track bangs. It has a simple melody, a sweet beat and catchy lyrics.In at #19 is Let It Go, a new one from Beres Hammond. You just have to love his voice. Its nice to hear some pure singing for a change.Finally, the last of the new tracks for this week is Make Me Prosper by Demarco, which enters at #20. This one is smooth and I find myself skanking to it.