to be the season of goodwill to all men, and women of course, there is one thing above all else which is disturbing the people. That is the unseemly, contentious and confrontational statements made so often these days by the Country's leaders and aimed so often at other elected leaders. It seems Parliamentarians mistake bad behaviour for the friendly banter of the Westminster system.

The Bermudian public does not like confrontation. It is uncomfortable with open rudeness. It believes people should be shown respect. It thinks its leaders should behave like ladies and gentlemen and not like small children.

There are ways after all to point out that someone is being careless with the truth without shouting liar in a public place.

We think that as the political party elected by the majority of Bermudians and supported by a majority for over 30 years, the United Bermuda is in a position, if it will do so, to demonstrate good behaviour both in and outside Parliament. It is elected because of its good management and surely can learn to manage its behaviour.

If some MPs are so afflicted with foot in mouth disease that they simply cannot survive unless they are talking nonsense, then the party leaders should apply a cure and instruct their MPs not to even whisper in public until after the next election. It would certainly be a good Christmas present and a good winter for the people if they were spared having to listen to either Alex Scott or Quinton Edness. It would be like giving the people an instant gift of unpolluted air.

If the UBP were to agree over Christmas to faithfully follow the niceties of Parliament and to behave at all times with dignity and decorum, we believe that others would follow suit and that the atmosphere in the Country would change. The Westminster System was designed for gentlemen and scholars and while we can't all be scholars, we can try to be ladies and gentlemen.

Parliamentarians could call this behaviour modification "The CedarBridge Initiative'' in honour of setting good examples for the students at the new school. Just think how wonderful it would be if the students learned from the example set by those their families elect to treat the new school's teachers and administrators with respect. They might even learn to have a little respect for authority and those in positions of authority.

That example is not now set at the top but it could be.

From the UBP's point of view, this could be very beneficial. The voters might actually grow to have some respect for the people they elect. If the Progressive Labour Party did not follow the lead of the UBP, then it would look very bad and its bad attitude would be magnified in the eyes of the voters just as an election is approaching.