Dr. Ewart Brown is probably the most criticised Premier ever.

This is probably because he is the most effective PLP leader ever in terms of getting things done. In just 12 months as Premier, Dr. Brown has introduced fundamental changes in how Bermudians relate to each other and to their Island home. These changes already exceed those of prior leaders even after a much longer tenure as Premier.

It is Dr. Brown's undoubted success as the Premier of Bermuda that draws so much heavy fire from his opponents. On Monday, journalist Matthew Taylor took several pages of The Gazette to analyse Dr. Brown's leadership. He relied heavily on the opinions of ex-PLP Cabinet Member Arthur Hodgson; former UBP Premier Sir John Swan; Environmentalist and former Independent Member of Parliament Stuart Hayward; and journalist Tom Vesey. Others contributing to the report were PLP MP Renee Webb and former PLP MP and Senator Reggie Burrows.

I thought that the report provided the reading public with much useful material on what Dr. Brown has accomplished as a Cabinet Minister and Premier. However, I was disappointed that Mr. Taylor spent so much time discussing the personal characteristics of Dr. Brown rather than his work as a political leader. I thought this dialogue served no purpose other than to fuel the attacks by the political opposition who seem to base their whole political campaign on the destruction of Dr. Brown by any means whatsoever.

With respect to the character of Dr. Brown, he was portrayed as a man who does not take advice unless it supports what he intends to do anyway. Perhaps Dr. Brown gives this impression because he does not suffer fools gladly. Hence I was not surprised when Mr. Hodgson stated that Dr. Brown "had appointed me (as sustainable development roundtable chair) and has listened and been very supportive". Mr. Hodgson is certainly no fool and as I said earlier, Dr. Brown listens and respects advice from people whose intelligence in not in question as is certainly the case for Mr. Hodgson.

Mr. Hayward was least complimentary to Dr. Brown and his short period of leadership. His view is summed up in his statement: "One thing indicative of Dr. Brown's way of dealing with things is he finds it easy to pick fights with people ¿ whether it is protesters as with the Medical Clinic or his political opponents".

Personally, I fail to see what Mr. Hayward expects the Premier or anyone else to do given the relentless personal attacks of the UBP with respect to Dr. Brown. I am also reminded of the rather exaggerated attack on Mr. Rolfe Commissiong by Mr. Hayward who accused him of creating racial divisiveness.

Clearly, the only hope the UBP have of winning the next election is to destroy Dr. Brown. However, to do this, the UBP will have to do more than to get a favourable award from the House of Lords. Ewart's support base is solidly based in the grass roots with significant members of the business classes on board.

It should come as no surprise that Bermuda's business leaders should be in support of the Premier. Dr. Brown realises that the economic welfare of the island is based upon the success of Bermuda's businesses and has made certain that they survive with his revamped cruise ship policy; the fast ferries that will transport passengers to Hamilton from the mega-ships soon to be based at dockyard; and the introduction of the Grand Slam of Golf to Bermuda. The world-wide publicity Bermuda has received from the Grand Slam will no doubt result in greatly increased numbers of tourists over the next several years.

However Dr. Brown's attention to the business community has come at a price; they must accelerate the recruitment and promotion of Black Bermudians who have the necessary qualifications to fill the decision making positions in the International Company sector. Anyone with a grain of intelligence must realise that black Bermudians will not continue very much longer to sit by and watch foreigners come to Bermuda and fill the choice jobs in the international business sector. If this behaviour continues, the probability increases that civil unrest will rear its ugly head and destroy the economic gains about which we express so much pride.

To assist him accomplish his vision of Bermuda, Dr. Brown has courted and obtained the services of the best Bermudians regardless of race or religion. He has taken this strategy to the point of attracting prominent white Bermudians to assist the PLPs effort to bring greater social and economic equity to our beautiful island home. At least two of these persons have offered themselves as candidates. Others are working at all levels of the party where their services are of use. Still others, while not joining the party, are volunteering their skills to serve on key committees such as the Economy Advisory Committee.

Dr. Brown has been criticised about his attitudes with respect to Bermuda's race relations. Yet, Dr. Brown has never hesitated to do all that is necessary to incorporate whites in his system of political management. His big conversation led by Mr. Rolf Commissiong and supported vigorously by Cure, is a truly courageous attempt to provide an opportunity for the two races to get to know and understand each other.

In order to make certain that the stated result was achieved, the meetings were scheduled over a period of ten months; unlike any such initiatives started in the past.

I attended most of these meetings and can state that I was disappointed at the steady decline of attendees. The cause of this is not clear and will be revealed hopefully from the analysis of the reports of the attendees at the meetings. However I remain convinced that the effort was not wasted since I got to know more about the concerns of White Bermudians than would have been the case had I not attended the meetings.

I look forward to more such sessions.

In conclusion, I believe that the efforts of Dr. Brown since becoming Premier indicate that he is truly interested in creating a Bermuda that can compete effectively in the fields of tourism and international finance. I believe that it is clear that he intends to bring about this result by utilising the efforts of all Bermudians despite race, religion or even party affiliation.

I believe that all of us should make certain that he succeeds in this worthy endeavour. Should he fail, several persons are convinced that Bermuda will cease to be the standard bearer of countries who have succeeded in bringing diverse groups together to achieve a common goal ¿ an ever increasing standard of living through increased cooperation.