Ho-hum, another Throne Speech marks the start of a new parliamentary session. I have seen and heard a number over the years, maybe as many as 50, dating back to my years in journalism, and even had a hand in a few, dating back to my years in government.

Tradition has it that they set out the bare bones of the legislative agenda for the government of the day. Forget that. Throne Speeches have changed considerably in shape, form and content down through the years — not just here, but elsewhere as well.

British prime minister Boris Johnson is reported to have said that in politics it is important to give voters a story that they can believe in. I don’t know whether he had Throne Speeches in mind when he said that, but the comment is apt.

Throne Speeches today have become far more expansive and sweeping in language — and in outlook — reading, well, more like campaign manifestos of sorts and decidedly more political.

I take no issue with that. They all do it and what’s most important is that they give us, the voters, some strong indication of what our government is about and what it is they intend to do for us, and to us, in the upcoming parliamentary year. As usual, details are to follow in the weeks ahead, in debate and at press conferences. We hope.

I wish I could say the same about Opposition replies — and I have in my day had a hand in quite a few of them, too. They tend to be overly critical, focusing more on what they think is wrong, or wrong-headed, and less on what they would do as the government and what they intend to do to help out now, in the interim.

Mind you, it seems it was ever thus. That’s politics for you, the politics of the Westminster system: the yin and the yang, the bric-a-brac, etc, etc. We all know the back-and-forth deal. Sadly.

Of course, there is no hard-and-fast rule that says it has to be that way. A change in approach would be a refreshing development — and funny I should mention that word “change”.

Change, and the need for change, featured early in this year’s Throne Speech — front and centre, as it turns out. I take no issue with that, either. Change is clearly warranted in those critical areas singled out in the speech: the economy and economic development: healthcare and soaring healthcare costs; public education; the environment; and, to a lesser extent, although not mentioned a strongly as some would have liked, policing. There could have been more on that, given recent alarming events, the Governor’s remarks notwithstanding.

But it isn’t just change for change’s sake that we need. That goes without saying. It’s change that focuses on what Bermuda must do to adapt to circumstances that have changed; and, in some cases, changed dramatically.

The ability to adapt, as well as capability, is key. It is the factor that ultimately powers success. Or not. Easier said than done when it comes to the economy. But without growth all other plans will suffer or stall. It is a national imperative that our government must lead and make possible.

In speaking of change, there was specific mention, too, of institutions and organisations that should not be exempt. May I respectfully suggest that — and no surprise here for readers — our legislature should be one of them. As intrigued as I am, like the next person, by what amendments the Government has in mind for the 1968 Bermuda Constitution Order, I hope our legislature features, and that our system of governance starts to get the overhaul it needs.

Modifications here are long overdue, all-around. Allow me my quotation to finish, a Chinese proverb, to illustrate the point: “When the winds of change blow, some people build walls, others build windmills”.

Windmills are fine, sure, but some parliamentary “bridges” could help, too.