ever was an example of good news it was Marcus Day's Page Five interview with Yuri Tadesse in yesterday's edition. This extraordinary story of a young man from Ethiopia who has overcome all the odds is an example to young people everywhere.

But this remarkable young "citizen of the universe'' had some good advice for all of Bermuda: Put aside the differences and begin building coalitions.

There is already one extraordinary example of a coalition in Bermuda, the United Bermuda Party coalition which Sir Henry Tucker and his followers created over 30 years ago and which, by and large, has served Bermuda well.

The UBP coalition has provided and maintained a standard of living for all Bermudians which is the envy of the world. Clearly that was only possible because the UBP was a coalition, had it not been, it would have been swept away long ago. So we already have proof that coalitions work well for Bermuda and that there are dangers and divisions caused by organisations based on exclusive lines.

However, Mr. Tadesse was not necessarily speaking about political party coalitions. Most citizens' groups bent on achieving change are coalitions.

Simply put, when people get together they can make a positive difference. When people tear apart, it is almost always a dangerous and backward step. Again, the recent history of the United Bermuda Party is an extraordinary example of the damage that can be done by splits.

Bermuda is so very small that differences are often magnified at the expense of the many things we have in common. Bermuda has been such an enormous success story that there is not a great deal of substance to criticise. As a result, politicians often nitpick at small differences until they fester and become a problem.

Bermuda would be an even better place if we concentrated on coalitions to deal with our real problems: drugs and alcohol, education, crime, tourism and the economy. All of these areas are ones which concern every Bermudian. Too often solutions are delayed because of political conflict in these areas when they could so easily be above politics.

These are not areas where solutions are easy or certain. There will be trial and there will be errors but coming together to facilitate solutions is in the best interests of all of us. There is nothing to be gained by disrupting efforts to solve national problems. Yet that does happen.

The people should make it clear that they want mutual solutions to the benefit of all Bermudians and they want those solutions smoothly facilitated. A coalition of the people should make it clear that Bermuda needs to get on with business...together.