a Willie.'' She was referring to her deputy prime minister "Willie'' Whitelaw. Now retired from the House of Commons following a stroke and elevated to the House of Lords as Viscount Whitelaw, he is described as one of the last of his kind, a man who entered politics to help others as opposed to helping himself.

According to an interview by Petronella Wyatt carried in The Daily Telegraph, London, he oiled and fixed the complicated Tory party machinery in Britain.

Even his enemies liked him and there is a feeling today that John Major would not be in such a mess if Willie Whitelaw was still there.

Of course, the Prime Minister who needs a Willie has to have the sense to listen. It is interesting that a Prime Minister as tough and opinionated as Lady Thatcher had the good sense to recognise the value of Willie Whitelaw.

He is quoted as saying of the House of Commons: "MPs of all parties have changed out of all recognition. It's very sad that so few of them bother to attend the chamber. When they do, it is just a shouting match. They are always somewhere else. There are no civilised discussions, nor any sense of friendship.'' Does that sound familiar to Bermudians? The shouting match in our own House of Assembly often gives the impression of a fight in a schoolyard more than a debate in Parliament.

The Senate vote on the private franchises bill was muddied by absenteeism. The Progressive Labour Party lost a major vote on base lands and Daniel's Head last Saturday morning because two PLP MPs were "somewhere else''.

Civilised political discussions in Bermuda have become virtually an impossibility because they quickly degenerate into party political differences, race, or accusations over the sins of the past which none of us can correct.

Events in both of Bermuda's political parties which have led to internal splits have shown that politics even within the parties lead more easily to hatred than friendship. ..just ask Gilbert Darrell or Sir John Swan.

Be as civilised as you can in disagreeing with the UBP and you will find out just how fast their "hit squad'' will be after you and your reputation.

The Daily Telegraph says loyalty is the creed by which Lord Whitelaw has lived. "I disliked Margaret at first, but I knew I had to support her. We became good political friends.'' Loyalty to anything, even loyalty to Bermuda, is a stranger these days in Bermudian politics. Perhaps we could get Lord Whitelaw to come out and infect some people.

There have been people in Bermudian politics who filled the role of Willie Whitelaw but they seem to be notably absent today. It says a good deal about Bermuda's politics today that the last of Bermuda's notable William Whitelaws, Sir John Sharpe, lost his House seat to a PLP candidate who does not appear to have been eligible for election but who continues to sit.

How much different things might have been in Bermuda in the past few months if David Saul had been supported by a few Willies or even if he had listened to just one Willie.