Two weeks ago, I drew some parallels between Bermuda and America's political parties, their shared tactical approaches and similar political fortunes. Recent political events have revealed some compelling similarities between the electoral strategies of the PLP and the Republicans, and the struggles of the UBP and the Democrats.

In short, today the PLP and the Republicans are largely ideological organisations, increasingly beholden to their fringe elements. Conversely the UBP and the Democrats exist as broader coalitions, but ones who've struggled to define themselves concisely as a compelling choice.

Will this pattern continue to play itself out? Will the diverse and less ideological nature of the UBP and the Democrats consign them to minority status for the foreseeable future?

Not necessarily.

The seven years that the UBP have now spent in Opposition, and the Democrat's 11 (since the 1994 mid-term Congressional elections) should be seen as opportunities, not low points.

The UBP's 30-plus years of uninterrupted electoral success isn't just enviable, it's remarkable. It would also have been isolating. Look at today. We have a governing party in its seventh, not 30th year at the helm, which has rapidly isolated itself and is now catering to its extreme wing in an attempt to cling to power.

This self-professed but increasingly distant "People's Government" has developed a dangerous addiction to polling and consultants as replacement therapy for that unpleasant task of mingling with the masses; an activity which would entail venturing from behind the rapidly expanding wall of taxpayer funded spin doctors, a.k.a. the Department of Communication and Information.

This self-imposed distance presents an invaluable opportunity for a challenger to reconnect with the public, return to and refine their core values, and most importantly communicate a sincere, inspiring and achievable vision for the future.

The recent elections in the UK, Australia and somewhat less so the US, are very important indicators. In all three cases the governing parties and their leaders were returned, despite meaningful public opposition to their major policy item ? the Iraqi war.

In our case, some might be inclined to site back and assume that the outrageously unpopular issue of Independence, or the ethical morass which the Government delights in, will automatically result in an electoral backlash.

While it is indeed important for the UBP to remind the public of the PLP Government's seven-year campaign of un-ambitious but failed initiatives, widespread ethical abuses and arrogance, this alone isn't enough.

This message is only one part of a multi-pronged strategy. It must be coupled with a vision of hope and inspiration, progress and accountability, openness and reform.

Unlike the PLP, whose recent electoral success has been built on the back of two race-based campaigns, the UBP cannot win through division. At the risk of stating the obvious: this is a good thing.

Acutely aware of this reality, the party is carefully cultivating an enduring electoral majority that embraces collaboration and partnership and rejects division and manufactured conflict.

What the PLP consider the UBP's weakness ? their diversity ? is in fact the party's greatest asset. Polarising campaigns of division and the cynical exploitation of sensitive issues for short term political gain can't and won't succeed forever.

The UBP's very existence is predicated on building partnerships, the pooling of ideas and experiences to achieve consensus and a way forward. A race-based approach of carving up the electorate into opposing factions won't work for a coalition building organisation.

We're a diverse island, and not just racially. We've all come from a variety of countries, economic backgrounds, religious beliefs and political ideologies. The UBP, while not perfect, is representative of our community.

The vast majority of the population however is not ideological, but pragmatic, having rapidly tired of the old campaigns of distortion and division.

Whoever steps forward with a courageous and compelling message of hope and opportunity through shared experience and sacrifice will ultimately succeed, by building that elusive and enduring electoral majority, leading us into the future together.

There is only one political team currently positioned to, or remotely interested in, delivering that. All indications are that two years into this second potentially five-year term the UBP understand and accept this responsibility. They can do more, and do it better, but they've clearly made it their priority.

Opposition parties that take a short term approach, never articulating an alternative vision, will never fully capture the electorate's hearts and minds. While conventional wisdom might suggest that the Westminster system structure is limiting to challengers, this doesn't have to be the case.

By aggressively detailing its own agenda, standing up for an ignored and rebuked electorate, tabling draft legislation and motions, and outlining its plans for housing, crime, education, tourism and economic empowerment among others, the UBP is charting its own Parliamentary course; differentiating themselves while responding to the PLP Government's myriad of failures.

This is highlighting not only the PLP Government's chronic failure to deliver anything other than glossy brochures and staged press events, but it methodically lays out the agenda of an alternative Government.

Success will not be built on political rhetoric ? that's for the Premier and his televised addresses ? but through the development of a tangible and comprehensive alternative vision; one of hope and inspiration, progress and accountability and openness and reform.

www.politics.bm