The Commonwealth Parliamentary Association is to be invited to Bermuda to assist Government in a review of the Legislature.

Premier Dr. Ewart Brown promised reform into Parliamentary Committees, the format of debates and the role of backbenchers this week as he expanded on comments made in the Throne Speech.

Government stated last week: "Democracy is evolutionary. To ensure that Bermuda's democracy evolves in a manner that best serves the needs of the people, the Government will champion the convening of a Parliamentary conference under the auspices of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA).

"The aim of this conference will be to craft a modernised Legislature and to equip Bermuda with an efficient and effective model of legislative democracy, fashioned through an inclusive, participatory process."

Dr. Brown said on Thursday: "Isolated calls for the reform of our Legislature seldom yield meaningful change. That we can do things better is unarguable.

"Within the confines of our Constitution and the Rules of the respective Houses, I believe that there is scope for real change.

"Just making a meeting open to the public is not enough. The public has a right to see efficient institutions at work."

The Premier said: "I will be working with the Speaker of the House and the President of the Senate on the terms of reference for an invitation to the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association to convene in Bermuda to discuss the means by which to make our Committees more effective, refine the nature of our debates, and enhance the roles of backbenchers occupying specific roles within the Legislature.

"We can learn from the experiences of other Westminster-based assemblies and devise a model for Bermuda that holds fast to our traditions but inspires Bermudians to be confident that we are in touch with their expectations in this modern age."

The CPA consists of more than 175 Commonwealth Parliaments and Legislatures. It was formed in 1911 and has a current membership of 16,000 Parliamentarians.

The CPA states its mission as to "promote the advancement of Parliamentary democracy by enhancing knowledge and understanding of democratic governance".