NEVER in all my born days did I ever think I would be caught up in the maelstrom of an actual hostage taking. Well, it happened. And it was painful witnessing, at arm's length, the intended victim, the legitimate Leader of the Progressive Labour Party and Premier of Bermuda Jennifer Smith being discarded and unceremoniously kicked to the kerbstone as if she were trash.

It was surprising, to say the least. But surprise, after all, is a key element in any hostage taking, whether in the hijacking of a plane or a government. What was not surprising, however, was the poetic manner in which the shafted leader adjusted to the situation.

Her final address to the nation as Premier before going to Government House to hand in her resignation will rank as a classic, and should be studied for both its emotional, historical and literary content.

I took, personally, the line in which she said: "I thank those who have spoken out in my defence in the drama that now draws to its conclusion."

I do so because when the special delegates' conference convened on Friday night at Devonshire Recreation Club, I was the first to speak. I do so in support of a motion I put to the conference for the reconfirmation and affirmation as Leader of the PLP and as Premier.

From the podium, I told the delegates I unreservedly congratulated Jennifer for having, during the election campaign, proved once more that she is the most astute and experienced political leader in the country; and furthermore, she had emerged as one of the strong women in this entire hemisphere.

She had scored three significant personal victories, (a) over the trickery of the Opposition of the UBP, (b) she had survived the most vicious savaging by all media and (c) she won in spite of the most pervasive undermining by her detractors, inside and outside the PLP, detractors I was sorry to say, who put the party at serious risk through their negativity throughout her tenure and most especially during the election.

I went on to speak further, in the interest of party unity and took my seat. Following is the full text of Jennifer's parting address:

"I have come today to speak to the country one last time as Premier before I travel to Government House to advise His Excellency the Governor of my resignation as Premier of Bermuda.

I stand at this podium for the last time to say farewell and to offer my thanks. The past seven years that I have spent as Leader of the Bermuda Progressive Labour Party have been some of the most challenging and most rewarding of my life.

Yes - the days have been long, sometimes even unending, but there have also been days filled with tremendous success and achievements of which we had only dreamed.

First, let me thank you for the vote of confidence that winning the popular vote and 22 seats in the first General Election fought for single seats under one man, one vote, each vote of equal value.

I begin by thanking you - the electorate of Bermuda - for your vote of confidence. You came out and voted in what was most a historic election.

I have learned much about people over these last few days and it would be foolhardy of me to stand before you and suggest that I am not hurt by some of the things that have been said and by just how personal the attacks have been.

I have always stressed the fact that I serve at the pleasure of the party and so it was, that in the desire for party unity, that I offered my resignation. The delegates discharged their duty and their responsibility in light of the situation that had been created over the last three days.

Whatever the actions or omissions of any member of the Progressive Labour Party Government, blame was rightly focused on the Leader of the PLP, the Premier of Bermuda. After all, the buck stops here.

I have given my life in the pursuit of the ideals of the Progressive Labour Party because I know they are the best for Bermuda. I do not regret one moment of it, but I do wish I had the time to thank all of those who have stood shoulder to shoulder with me in good times and in bad as I have trod this sometimes rocky pathway.

Unfortunately, they are too numerous to mention at this time. I will - as I see you - say a personal thanks. But here today - to all of the members of the civil service, to all of the members of the Bermuda Progressive Labour Party, to all of my friends, my branch and my family - thank you.

The irony of last night's event is not wasted on me. It was the stated aim of the Opposition to put an end to the "Smith Government" and so it has now come to pass.

It is more unfortunate that friendly fire has taken out the "Smith Government". Its a fundamental reality of politics that success has many parents, while failure often has only one.

All of this is the nature of politics.

And this brings us to where we find ourselves today.

Those who know me well, will well know that I am not here to shed any tears for Jennifer Smith.

I believe, as did Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, that

Noble souls, through dust and head,

rise from disaster and defeat the stronger.

My successor has been gracious enough to offer me a seat in his Cabinet. I have declined that offer, as to serve in such a capacity would compromise both the strength of his leadership and my principles.

I would have written this last chapter somewhat differently, but I depart this office in the knowledge that my commitment has been unwavering, my sacrifice real, and my dedication to the people of Bermuda unquestionable. I now look forward to concentrating on serving the people of Constituency 1.

I did not begin this road with deceit and I leave strengthened by my faith in God and in his divine purpose in everything.

To everything there is a season , and a time for every purpose under the heaven . . .

For the sake of the party, for the sake of the Government, and for the sake of Bermuda, I sincerely hope that in the future, we will judge our leaders by the substance of their accomplishments, and not by the perception of their personal style.

I trust, as well, that the decisions taken as a party and the decisions taken as the Government will have us do the right things for the right reasons.

As Leader of the Progressive Labour Party and as the Premier of Bermuda, I have sought always to do the right things for the right reasons, and at the right time. I thank those who have spoken out in my defence in the drama that now draws to its conclusion. Please now unite behind the party.

I thank you all for giving me the opportunity to travel from Shinbone Alley to the highest elected office in this country.

I can never thank you enough for making my life truly rewarding.

Bermuda, I leave you with gratitude and with love.

Thank you Bermuda for your trust and for the opportunity to serve. God bless you."