Friday was a particularly contentious day in Parliament. It was one of those days when the often used analogy that our politicians behave like children seemed more than apt. The session felt like either an episode of 'The Twilight Zone', with the PLP struggling to defend their clear preference for hiring non-Bermudians over our own people, or 'Kindergarten Cop' as the Speaker struggled in vain to maintain order.

The proceedings deteriorated after the UBP wanted to play "follow the leader". When John Barritt attempted to introduce a motion calling for drug testing of our Parliamentarians it became evident that the PLP preferred to play "do as I say not as I do".

For some inexplicable reason the Government, which possesses a sizeable majority sufficient to defeat any Opposition motion, opted to force the withdrawal of the motion (on a 14-13 party line vote) before it could even be debated. Our Government, who evidently feel no need to lead by example on any issue, were determined to stifle debate and kill the topic altogether. Showing that they don't play well with others the PLP decided to take their toys and go home, because they didn't like the game.

It was at this point that the House of Assembly started to look more like a playground and less like a legislative chamber. Having spent 30 years on the Opposition benches the current Government should be more than familiar and up to the challenge of the games that are played in the Parliamentary playground. Instead they've become more than a little upset at not being able to decide what to play, after losing control of the Parliamentary agenda by failing to sponsor vital legislation.

Not to be deterred, the UBP again livened things up on the Motion to Adjourn. Maxwell Burgess, always eager to play the games he learned at the PLP's playground, bounded in with his characteristic exuberance, much to the displeasure of the schoolyard bullies. What was the game? Pin the hypocrisy on the Government.

Granted, this game was a little one-sided as Mr. Burgess cited numerous examples of PLP hypocrisy around their claim to be the guardians of Bermudianisation. The UBP MP highlighted example after example of the Government failing to hire Bermudians, expertly pinning the Prisons, KEMH, Bermuda College ? twice, Marine & Ports and the Airport on the Government. This drew a predictable response.

Rather than intelligently debate, Mr. Horton proceeded to try and shout down the other kids with his characteristic bluster and personal insults. You'll remember these guys well. They're the ones who constantly try to intimidate the smaller kids, usually pushing them repeatedly shouting "Do you wanna fight? Do you wanna fight?" while hoping desperately that no one takes up the offer.

Undeterred, the UBP's Patricia Gordon-Pamplin continued, bringing in playground bully number two. Not content to wait for her turn, Tourism Minister Renee Webb insisted on trying to take Ms Gordon-Pamplin's, eventually having to wait like everyone else. Shrieking hysterically rather than explaining why it was OK for her Government to hire foreigners but it was a mortal sin for previous UBP administrations or the current Governor do so, Ms Webb eventually resorted to yelling that UBP MPs have hired foreigners at their private firms.

Whoah! That's the king of all playground taunts, inevitably invoked when things aren't going well. For the four-year-olds out there, Ms Webb was using the grown-up version of 'I know you are but what am I?'

Surely we deserve a better level of debate and decorum from our MPs?

The increasing prickliness of the Government is understandable when viewed in the context of their lack of vision and empty legislative plate. The UBP have seized on this opportunity, using the few methods at their disposal to highlight Government's failures. They're adeptly using the legislative void as an opportunity to table motions reminding the electorate of the many unaddressed problems with housing, the BHC, the Berkeley construction saga and the failure to lead on drug abuse and other issues.

Until the Government present a vision and lead, the playground promises to be a lot less fun this summer.