divisions in this society, it seems important to point out that one of the major dividers in Bermuda is political parties. In many countries the political party you adhere to does not lead to your being stigmatised, but in Bermuda it certainly seems to.

We think black Bermudians suffer from "party identification'' in much greater numbers than whites. Blacks who join the UBP have traditionally been criticised by PLP adherents, most recently the insult of being called "coloured'', although UBP membership has clearly had advantages. With some notable exceptions, blacks who have supported the PLP have largely not been trusted by business organisations and have had to struggle to stay in the mainstream of Bermuda. Political affiliation and not colour has been a strong factor in job selection. Most managers, black or white, are conservative and hence UBP adherents. The result is that they do not hire PLP types who might "rock the boat''. We think that many PLP blacks have worked to go into business for themselves because they were not trusted by bosses. That created a pattern almost unique to Bermuda of businessmen who adhered to a "progressive labour'' party. We think UBP-type blacks who go to work for established businesses have an easier road up in the business than PLP adherents if only because conservative managers are not comfortable with the PLP and not comfortable with PLP supporters knowing "company secrets''.

There is no doubt that whites who indicate a preference for the Progressive Labour Party are in trouble. They are in trouble with whites who see the PLP as the enemy and in trouble with those PLP members who think the PLP should be an all-black party. There are those who believe that if the PLP had stuck to being an all black party from the beginning it would be the Government today.

Whites who follow the UBP without criticism are probably in the most comfortable place. Blacks have no problem with that because they assume that is where whites will be, and the UBP takes whites to itself even if it often takes them for granted.

Thus Bermuda has a major political hurdle which we must overcome if we are to address race. Politicians are spending a good deal of time in the Legislature talking about dealing with race but their very functioning is a large part of the problem which they should address themselves. The problem is the use to which politicians have put race in order to secure a power base. Politicians say that race must be addressed "even in the home''. We think it should first be addressed in the Legislature and in the political parties. They, not "Joe Public'', are the great offenders and dividers, even if "Joe Public'' has a problem.

Basically the political parties tell the people two very divisive things. The PLP tells blacks that they are "not black'' if they do not vote PLP. On the other hand, the UBP strongly implies you do not belong to Bermuda and are somehow anti-Bermuda if you do not vote UBP.

Part of that action is political immaturity and the traditional fear that the PLP cannot manage and will disrupt the economy which has given Bermuda such an elaborate way of life. To counteract that image, the PLP has tried at election time to give the impression that it has moved from its combination of conservative nationalism and socialism to the centre. That is difficult to achieve because the UBP already occupies the centre. In the political process the PLP has not managed to shake its image as the "all-black'' party. On the other hand, the UBP continues to be branded as the mouthpiece of the white establishment and the servant of "Front Street''. Yet, in terms of race, if anyone is interested any more in integration, clearly the UBP is the integrated party.