He has asked members of both political parties to "make a commitment to behave in a way that reflects honour on the House''.

Premier Saul said: "I would like to ask members to make a commitment to just stop and reflect on why we have been elected to this House and why we chose to run in the first place, to do a service for this Country.

"We do a disservice by some of our behaviour.'' The Premier is correct of course. The standard of debate is poor and statements made often indicate that very little homework has been done. Too often people simply stand up and "spout''.

In the days when the only meaningful coverage of the House of Assembly was by this newspaper, a great deal of the waffle was omitted. The "um, ums'' were deleted and, by and large, reporters did members the favour of making them sound good. Often that was easy to do because very few members spoke at any great length.

Things changed with the use of radio broadcasts. Members began to talk, and talk and talk for the listening public. The days when members took their seat if the reporter from The Royal Gazette put the pencil down are over.

Much of what is now said has very little to do with constructive debate on the subject at hand and a good deal to do with politics and grandstanding for the "listening public'', if there really is anyone listening. The floor of the House is as much a place for politicking these days as it is a place to conduct the people's business.

We have to assume that the Premier's admonition included the verbal confrontation which so often takes place in the House. Bermudians do not like confrontation but it is catching.

Let's take a few examples. If exalted MPs can insult one another, why can't young people insult the teacher? If MPs use their protection on the floor of the House to degrade other people, without interruption or correction, why can't we all do it? If speeches are ignored or interrupted or talked over, why should any of us listen to anything or anybody? The examples set by politicians give permission to offend just as the Progressive Labour Party's soft approach to crime and drugs and its constant attacks on the Police Service give permission to offend. Yet there seems to be no understanding of the impact on the Country.

We are beginning to develop a confrontational and rather surly Bermuda and the problem, we think, starts at the top. The Premier spoke of people who chose to run for the House "to do a service for this Country''. That, of course, is the ideal reason people run for office, to serve the Country. Today, it seems, a good many people run to serve themselves.