As we approach the most important period in our democratic process, I believe it important for us all to find a quiet place and review the values we seek for our next Government.

There are certain principles that should define the way we govern ourselves so that we are able to live worthy, moral and spiritually enriched lives. It is especially important that our Government and the people of Bermuda embrace or live by, inter alia, the following principles:

1. A Revulsion to Corruption: The people of Bermuda should not tolerate corruption by public officials. Public officials should be made accountable to the people and as far as corruption is concerned to the courts. Our leaders should set the example and we should demand they share and manifest the highest of personal and public values.

Openness and transparency by our leaders is vital as a safeguard against corruption. Excessive secrecy encourages and reflects the arrogance of power and lack of accountability.

2. Humility: Our leaders must be devoid of arrogance, snobbery, smug self-righteousness and any pretence of superiority. When our leaders are elected or appointed to serve they must realise that they are servants and not masters of the community they serve. Our leaders must also be tolerant of the varied beliefs and dogmas. They should welcome new ideas, they should listen to the electorate they serve and have the courage to make decisions that are in the best interests of the many, not for the benefit of the few.

Our leaders should avoid contradicting or disagreeing with people in a manner that could be offensive. Our leaders should be sensitive to other opinions and seek to embrace, not alienate.

Our leaders should be courteous, affable and good humoured. They should also be hard working, determined and productive.

3. A Free Press: The media is a crucial element to our democracy. The primary role of the media is to protect democracy from deteriorating into authoritarianism. In this sense, the media acts as a watchdog. It provides warnings if there are scandals in the operations of the government or that if our civil liberties are in jeopardy. A free press is the surest guard against corruption, tyranny and arbitrary power.

The media is the guardian of the quality of the integrity in our democratic system. The media have a fundamental responsibility for fairness and honesty, they are the link between leadership and citizens. If they are to do their job well they must also be given the information. We are a democracy and our leadership must be accountable to the electorate it serves. This calls for open Government, information sharing and the promotion of debate.

Each generation faces unexpected media developments that put at risk the orderly process of the preceding era. In our day, unprecedented advances in communication technology are rewiring (literally and metaphorically) the social landscape. Formats, transmission modes and even media that we no longer consider novel were largely unheard of as recently as a decade ago.

In the wake of instantaneous universal transmission of voice and data, new issues arise. Some are economic, some legal, and some moral. The way the political system (itself being affected by the new technology) responds will have profound implications on how democracy evolves. The issue is whether these changes bode ill or well for democracy. My guess is democracy is a very resilient form of government and it will adjust to this new communication technology and it will serve to enhance the democratic process. Indeed, good government will embrace new methods for communicating with the electorate it serves.

4. Relationships With Other Countries: Our foreign policy has to be a delicate balance between idealism and realism. When idealism and realism are combined, it must create a policy that is in the best interest of our country and its citizens. But such policy cannot be made in isolation, or in ignorance, it must be made after understanding the international issues. We must seek friendships and alliances that benefit Bermudians and that present opportunities. Alliances with those that offer little or no benefit to Bermudians and that may risk important friendships do nothing for Bermudians.

5. Compromise: It is said that the art of politics is compromise. Our leaders need to embody a key virtue to success: a belief in the nobility of compromise.

Sometimes compromise is not only a practical approach but a moral one. Compromise inherently suggests a respect for other opinions and a determination to be inclusive. As I have said so many times, our future success is dependant on our determination to include all.

6. Fairness: If we begin with the basic premise that opportunity should be fair to all and that being fair means being inclusive and helping those who need help and working to maximise everyone's potential then we can promote fairness as a basic value of our culture. If the people we serve believe we are being fair, they will join with us.

7. Tolerance: If our leaders practice tolerance, humility, fairness and a respect for others, it becomes infectious in the wider community.

The concept of tolerance, a revulsion to corruption, free expression, the promotion of fairness for all, respect for others and humility is what can make Bermuda a very unique place to live and work.

Sir John Swan was Premier of Bermuda and leader of the United Bermuda Party from 1982 until 1985.