Viewpoint: What do you think the new Premier's priorities should be?

John Holdipp, taxi driver
“The primary focus should be family, plus education and training for those who are lacking skills. And then comes the economy. If you get family right, everything else will fall into place. On too many occasions, both parents are not functioning together to ensure the child has the best opportunity to grow. People should make sure the home is a safe, positive place.”

Margaret Giloth, 55, civil servant
“Jobs for people, especially in the lower to middle income bracket. Bermuda does not have a minimum wage. So we need to get our economy and cost of living in line. It is scandalously high, and we’re continuing to increase our poor population. When you have poverty hanging over someone’s head, you’re going to end up having some sort of negative outcome.”

Carrie Maughan, 35, mother-of-one
“I think education should be a priority. I have a young child who has just turned one, so education for young Bermudians. I’m also concerned about violent crime. I want to feel like it’s safe to walk down the street with my child.”

Krystal Smith, 20, waitress
“My major concern is crime. It’s a display of messed-up lives and families, so maybe families would be a good place to start. I guess as an island we should focus on the spiritual health of families.”

Jacqui Simons, 25, IT specialist
“I would say crime. Crime is too high, it’s not controllable right now, so they need to stop or at least decrease it. There’s been a crazy increase in crime in the last year. The next best thing is education.”

Tim Woodbourne, 49,  construction worker
“A new government needs to shore up international business, to make sure it can still function. Jobs are evaporating, particularly in construction. A lot of men are getting laid off, while anyone on a work permit has been sent back. I’d like to see more training and apprenticeships for Bermudians for jobs in certain fields which have been neglected.”