One year ago yesterday, David Saul became Premier after Sir John Swan resigned in the wake of the Independence Referendum. Marcus Day reports that the Premier is celebrating his first anniversary, despite some stormy moments.

Premier David Saul is looking cheerful. After a year as Premier, that's quite a feat.

His fingers singed by the Big Bermuda Burger crisis, his authority challenged by the "People's Five'', his judgment questioned after the Tim Smith saga...12 months is a long, long, long time in politics.

Not many reasons to be cheerful, one would think.

Add to that the indignity of being censured in Parliament, and the image of a man writhing in anguish in some political purgatory is complete.

Dr. Saul begs to differ. Dressed spiffily in dark blazer and Bermuda shorts, he greets you in the Cabinet Office with a bounce in his stride and a firm handshake. The eternal Mr. Optimist.

And, of course, there's the grin which has probably served to endear and irritate in equally proportions -- depending on which side of the political fence you are.

"This Sunday, yes, it'll have been a year -- and much has happened,'' the Devonshire South MP says. "You know, one has not just been immersed in hamburger sauce. It has actually been a very good year.'' Dr. Saul bounds about the office with boyish enthusiasm, making light of his 57 years and reminding you he was once a champion runner. He produces two carefully typed-up pages, one headed: "Accomplishments.'' "I wrote these down while I was at a meeting today. I thought they would be useful for you.

"A heck of a lot has been achieved over the 12 months. I even surprised myself as I wrote.'' It is indeed a long list. Far too long to print.

"International business up, unemployment down, construction up, tourism up, balance of payments positive, Government revenue and expenditure on target, excellent Budget, retail sales pick up, tremendous road improvement programme, next stage of National Sports Complex started, monthly town meetings successful and well attended...'' The former Finance Minister reads the list as if it was a glowing school report; Perhaps one from Saltus Grammar or Mount St. Agnes, both of which he attended.

It is easy to picture him as the eager-to-please pupil at the front of the class, his hand constantly in the air.

"Very good things have happened on crime. Crime figures are down and so are cycle thefts by almost 50 percent,'' he continues.

"Serious crimes, even murder, have been solved quickly. I have to give Commissioner Colin Coxall and his Deputy full marks.'' Over the page are various headings: Economy, Tourism, Race, Bases...

Under Economy is written: "Improving, more jobs available, more opportunity, opened up telecommunications for wider competition, Department of Training established at Labour, Home Affairs and Public Safety.'' On the Bases, Dr. Saul hails Bermuda's takeover of the Airport from the United States.

"They are really an unsung group working at the Airport. It has been as smooth a transition as you could imagine.

"The pilots don't even know that it's not the US still running things.'' Education is also mentioned, along with the passage of the new Act laying the groundwork for restructuring.

"There is going to be a lot more parental involvement at all levels on school boards,'' he says.

The list ends by highlighting six task forces looking into community problems -- including black male unemployment, `back of town' development, and a Youth Corps.

Putting the two sheets of paper down, Dr. Saul says: "I hope you can use some of this. I think it stands for itself.'' Asked to grade his Government's first-year performance, the former teacher pauses before replying: "A minus. I think that's what the man in the street would say.'' He adds: "I've just been speaking to a lady in the street and she told me to keep up the good work.

"She said `you guys have been doing some really good stuff'. It's the kind of feedback I've been getting, despite the newspaper editorials and headlines.

"I think it has been a good year, and I hope you can write a positive story.'' Positive is a byword for Dr. Saul. So too are upbeat, confident, and, of course, optimistic. Forever optimistic.

So much for the list. But what about that won't-go-away franchise controversy? And what about those won't-keep-quiet party rebels? Aren't these the two black clouds -- conspicuously minus silver linings -- which have overshadowed his Premiership? Mr. Optimistic doesn't bat an eyelid at the questions, but one senses exasperation as he puts together an already much-delivered answer.

As most of Bermuda knows, Dr. Saul found himself in hot water after his Government apparently flouted its own policies by granting a McDonald's licence to Grape Bay, a company which counts ex-Premier Sir John Swan and UBP backbencher Maxwell Burgess among its shareholders.

"I've said this before, but 70 percent of people in a scientific poll favoured franchises, as long as they are tightly controlled,'' the father-of-two says.

"As you know, we now have a committee looking into the whole question of franchises. We are going to have public meetings and ask people what they think, before taking it back to the House.

"In the full context of 12 months I don't think it should overshadow all the achievements.

"I think all the bad Press has been unwarranted. At the town meetings it was not a burning issue.

"People were more interested in crime, drugs and education. They want to discuss things that are going to affect them on a day-to-day basis. It is important to sort out the wheat from the chaff.'' As for the Opposition's historic censure motion -- introduced over the franchise controversy and backed by UBP rebels -- Dr. Saul is dismissive.

"I don't think it's significant at all. The Opposition couldn't resist it and it was passed in a fit of pique. I don't think it was personal.'' Asked whether he ever considered resigning, Dr. Saul's replies brusquely: "Resigning is something I wouldn't consider. It is what I would do.'' Dr. Saul sees the challenge thrown up by the "People's Five'' -- C.V. (Jim) Woolridge, David Dyer, Clarence Terceira, Ann Cartwright DeCouto and Trevor Moniz -- as an altogether more worthy topic for debate.

"My major concern is how debilitating it can be for my colleagues who want to get on with important things, such as creating peace and prosperity.'' Clearly, loyalty is something which Dr. Saul sets great store by.

And it is a word he emphasises over the Tim Smith saga, which erupted after the former Environment Minister was caught out by a House of Assembly microphone making indiscreet remarks about a planning application.

"In business life and politics one of the most important things is loyalty.

"I believe in loyalty to my Cabinet, and I will stick by my Ministers. I did not think what Tim Smith did was so serious as to warrant his removal from Cabinet.

"As Premier, I see myself as a conductor of an orchestra trying to keep harmony.'' Brightening up, Dr. Saul is confident he can solve the "People's Five'' dilemma.

"I think time will heal the rift before the next election.'' And what about the haughty image? Dr. Saul grins and paints the picture of a former ice man, whose snow has melted. Inside is a soft, almost huggable centre.

"I accept I used to be seen as arrogant, but as Finance Minister I had to take Bermuda through five years of recession. I had to be tough.

"As Premier I play a completely different role. I have adopted a more soft and gentle approach, and people have noticed. They have come up to me and said so.'' The interview over, Dr. Saul points to a framed copy of Rudyard Kipling's "If'', affixed to the office wall near the door.

"It has been my inspiration since I was 17. It is my guiding philosophy,'' he explains.

The first lines of the poem read: "If you can keep your head when all about you are losing theirs and blaming it on you.

"If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you, But make allowance for their doubting too ...'' The lines have a peculiar resonance. And the eternal Mr. Optimist can't resist another grin.

"Yes, they are strangely applicable aren't they? I've needed this poem over the last 12 months.'' PREMIER David Saul -- Accomplishments outnumber problems such as the McDonald's franchise issue and divisions in the United Bermuda Party.

ONE YEAR DOWN -- Premier David Saul, announcing his Cabinet a year ago.