and making public statements in an attempt to convince the voters of Bermuda that international companies would be comfortable with a PLP government.

International company business is, of course, becoming equal to traditional tourism as a money producer for Bermuda. It is a fact of life for Bermuda that both tourism and international companies are "delicate'' businesses which require special care and special handling. Neither tourists nor companies have to come to Bermuda and do so only as long as Bermuda looks after them well.

Leaders of the Progressive Labour Party want voters to think that international business would be safe in the hands of the PLP and they want businesses to think that if the PLP came to power it would not scare them off Bermuda in any way.

It may well be true that the PLP would not intentionally do anything to harm international business. Maybe the PLP would not move to either tax or heavily Bermudianise international companies established in Bermuda. The hierarchy of the PLP could understand the present contribution and the future possibilities for international business in Bermuda. Accountant and PLP chairman Mr. Terry Lister has said that the PLP knows it has to make companies happy.

Mr. Lister was quoted as saying that some senior members of the PLP are now more "centrist'' than "socialist''. That, of course, is what the PLP always does in the run-up to an election. The party allows the left wing to have a loud voice in the years after an election but goes quiet and moves to the centre to meet voter pressure as an election approaches. We should not be confused, that's just the way it is in PLP politics.

In any case Mr. Lister himself did not seem to be among the "centrists'' in his recent Hamilton Lions Club speech which was highly critical of the task force trying to find jobs for Bermudians by creating new business.

The problem for Bermuda as we see it is that business, international or any other, and a labour party are not natural friends. The political reality is that the very mention of a "labour'' party, never mind a progressive labour party, is a red flag to a businessman. It is no secret to anyone that the great majority of businessmen are deeply conservative and therefore more comfortable dealing with like. That is a fact of life anywhere, not just Bermuda.

Additionally, there is little history in North America of business having to deal with political labour parties. Many companies come here with a North American background and that is why Bermuda worries so much about what goes on in Washington. Just as developments in North America are important to Bermuda so the business background of North America is important to Bermuda's international business.

The PLP can go about all it likes calling on international companies but the fact is that a socialist party with the name "progressive labour'' and the great majority of complex international companies will never be comfortable together. The PLP says it gets a friendly welcome when it goes to call and doubtless it does because these companies have nothing to gain by being rude.

Companies being polite should not, we think, be confused with their acceptance of the PLP.