There were comments yesterday on TeleCuraçao how good it looked that St. Maarten's Commissioner of Constitutional Affairs William Marlin (NA) and opposition leader Sarah Wescot-Williams (DP) were sitting right next to each other during the Round Table Conference (RTC) and when the closing declaration was signed. This show of solidarity considered impressive was in stark contrast to the delegation of Curaçao, where only members of the incoming MFK/PS/MAN coalition occupied the front row along with Lt. Governor Lisa Dindial.

It is nothing new that all factions in the Island Council over the years have and continue to support country status for St. Maarten and – except for the PPA at the time – the result of the negotiations to obtain it. This concept of "Team St. Maarten," although tested at times, has survived several elections and fierce political battles no matter who was in government, so the scene at the RTC was simply a reflection of that.

Nevertheless, the politicians involved deserve credit for consistently putting the general interest of the island ahead of all else when it comes to this issue and in dealing with other Dutch Kingdom partners. The electorate expected no less, of course, because what will happen on 10-10-10 is in reality not the work or achievement of one person or party, but of the community as a whole.

So while there has been much division in Willemstad over details, the people's representatives in Philipsburg understood very well that the vast majority of their constituents wanted to see realised, once and for all, what they voted for in a referendum already more than 10 years ago. Playing politics with this matter here almost certainly would have backfired in that sense.

What makes the unity displayed in The Hague even more meaningful and worthwhile, however, is that it was only one week before the election. Not just any election, but a historic and crucial one that will determine who becomes the first Prime Minister of Country St. Maarten.

All this does not mean either of the party leaders in question will refrain from claiming the success when it comes to finally ending the constitutional quagmire during what remains of the campaign, but the fact is that they stood together, shoulder to shoulder, when it really mattered. For that, we commend them both.