debilitating factor for both the Country and the United Bermuda Party. For far too long fast food franchises have been disrupting the real business of this Country.

The whole issue could have been avoided very early on, but some people in the Cabinet blundered and misunderstood the way Bermuda works. As a result, the Premiership of Dr. David Saul was crippled from the beginning. He was censured on the floor of the House of Assembly and his Government was disrupted by "The Five'' who took the high ground.

To their entire credit, the two new UBP MPs listened to the constituents they have recently canvassed and backed the Prohibited Restaurants Bill. Michael Dunkley and Kim Young voted their conscience and voted in favour. Government Whip Rick Spurling and Technology and Information Minister John Barritt broke with the rest of the Government hierarchy this time and also voted in favour.

Mr. Spurling is doubtless sensitive to the wishes of St. George's where the Old Town has already banned fast food franchises and Mr. Barritt had heard the views of his Devonshire South constituency along with his running mate Mr.

Dunkley.

They all joined the PLP MPs, with the exception of the unpredictable Stanley Morton who broke PLP ranks and voted against, in supporting the bill. We firmly believe that history will applaud them and that they have done the right thing by Bermuda.

As the bill's sponsor, Ann Cartwright DeCouto has been quoted as saying, "Myself and my colleagues were righting a wrong. What we did was for the sake of the Country and the party.'' Speaking for the Government, Premier Pamela Gordon is quoted as saying: "As far as we are concerned it is now officially dead.'' But she did point out that it may now become a matter for the Governor or the courts.

But events last Friday night made it clear that the matter is not over. The vote to prohibit McDonald's angered Hamilton West MP Maxwell Burgess who is a partner of former Premier Sir John Swan in Grape Bay Ltd. which proposes to open McDonald's and he has vowed not to let the matter rest. "We will pursue this matter relentlessly.'' This may only be defensive rhetoric because we find it impossible to believe that anyone, especially a former Premier with Sir John Swan's record, would continue to damage Bermuda. If Mr. Burgess is determined to disrupt his own government and his own party, it may be for the party to take action.

The question of whether or not the bill's retroactive clause violates the constitution now rests with the Attorney General and the new Governor. We should all remain aware that there is some very informed thinking that the retroactivity is unconstitutional.