is much more intense than that which normally comes before a general election.

What is wrong? People have seen rules changed for politicians, laws bent, the Constitution ignored. They are confused about the future of the Police Service. They perceive that there is political favouritism and they think the court system is poorly staffed and not working very well. They have heard politicians lie again and again. A significfant number of the people have lost faith in the ability and the integrity of both political parties.

As a result people are walking away from the Country's problems with a shrug of their shoulders.

Bermuda has undergone over three years of turmoil ranging from Independence to declining tourism to Vesey Street, with the result that in the last few months Bermuda has come very close to a national nervous breakdown or, if you will, a seriously debilitating crisis of confidence.

People have chosen to walk away because they no longer believe they can make a difference or that they will be listened to by anyone in either major political party. Disillusioned and cut off from the political process which has traditionally been so personal in tiny Bermuda, people grieve for Bermuda but are beginning not to care what happens in politics because they see both political parties as unworthy of their caring. That could translate into absence from the polls with an attitude of "What difference does it make if I vote or not?'' There is evidence of that right now in the small numbers turning out for political meetings and the lack of interest on the part of good people who might be political candidates. What self-respecting person would want to join today's body of politicians? Most of the Opposition members would be hard pressed to get any other decent job? How has this come about? Basically it has been caused by a decline in the quality of serving politicians and by people who are in politics for themselves and not to serve the Country or the voters. Unfortunately the people look on politicians as "them'', or in Bermuda as "that lot'', thus lumping together highly constructive and caring people with the useless and the self-serving.

The sad truth is that walking away from the affairs of the Country contains a very clear message but, once again, the politicians are unlikely to listen.

They did not listen to the Independence referendum and there are now signs of moves toward a kind of "back door'' Independence. The people were not heard in the whole McDonald's debacle. Vesey Street indicates carelessness with the environment. The going of Colin Coxall has left the people confused and fearful for the future. And all that is just for starters.

Where are the explanations? Where is the reassurance? In fact, where are we now? The answer seems to be, adrift in a sea of uncertainty.