whether or not that will continue after the House of Assembly sits in November. There are disturbing signs that the United Bermuda Party and its adherents are continuing to defy the general sentiments of the people. An attitude of, "We are right, the people are wrong'', will not get Bermuda together.

We think one of the things the people want is an overhaul of Government spending and a complete look at waste in Government. The Cabinet's approach to Government should be "less and leaner''. Over the years it seems clear that some Government departments have become bloated. They appear to us to make work for themselves and that work too often entails regulations and forms which serve to annoy the public. It is also fair to say that the forms and regulations cost Bermudians and Bermudian businesses a good deal of money because someone has to provide the time to cope with Government's often very petty regulations. Sometimes it seems that every time Government acts, the result is a new form or a new regulation.

As an example, Bermuda is one of the very few countries on earth where citizens need forms to leave or re-enter their own country. What is the purpose of these forms? Are they even looked at? Does Government really need to know your address abroad? Is it any of their business? Why can't the Immigration and the Customs form be one and the same? Who does what with these forms and how much do they cost the taxpayer in printing, distribution and civil servant sorting time? This is only one small example of the way Government makes work for itself and then charges the taxpayer high Civil Service salaries.

There is a solution. We should take a hard look to determine which Government functions are essential to Bermuda. Those essential services should be protected, strengthened and well staffed. As an example, we should never again make the mistake of cutting the Police Service budget during a time of public stress as we did during the recession.

Some areas, even some areas which are essential, could be better and more economically rum by the private sector. Cabinet Ministers and the Civil Service are reluctant to let go of their power and their turf but the truth is that they do Bermuda no service by holding on. The Airport would be better off private. We should sell the Post Office to private enterprise which will maximise use of the Post Office buildings. The more we think about it, the more we think that education is beyond Government which only politicises the education process and could be privatised with Government grants.

Those areas of Government which are not essential should be wound down. Once something becomes established in Government, it becomes part of the Civil Service turf and is difficult but not impossible to dislodge. What Bermuda should do is look at the contribution made by some Government departments and ask if the benefit is worth the price. As examples, we should look at the Housing Corporation and the Consumer Affairs Bureau to see if they are still relevant.

We should start by agreeing that GP cars are not a contribution to Bermuda.