Changes to the Gibraltar constitution have added a few freedoms beyond those currently enjoyed by Bermuda?s elected politicians to shape the territory?s destiny.

But on the whole the exercise to update Gibraltar?s 1969 constitution generally brings it out of a system that was ?outdated? even compared to Bermuda?s constitution which was created in 1968, according to Bermuda?s deputy governor Nick Carter (pictured).

He said: ?Gibraltar?s 1969 constitution was more outdated than Bermuda?s so this was their chance to have it reviewed.?

He feels that Gibraltar?s unique situation meant the changes are not greatly relevant to Bermuda, although the setting up of a commission to oversee judicial appointments and associated matters was something that goes beyond Bermuda?s current constitution.

In the new constitution for Gibraltar, which was revealed by UK Foreign Minister Jack Straw last week, the House of Assembly is to be re-styled as a Parliament with the size to be determined by elected MPs and the right for UK Ministers to disallow laws passed by Gibraltar?s elected politicians is removed.

Powers of the governor to veto laws passed by the territory?s Government are reduced to a few defined circumstances.

The post of deputy governor and development secretary are being abolished, while the governor?s power to dissolve Parliament and remove the Chief Minister are restricted to those applicable in the UK.

Gibraltar?s Governor Sir Francis Richards loses all executive authority and this passes directly to the Queen, as is the case in the UK.

The bulk of responsibility for policing is transferred to the Gibraltar Police Authority and a new judicial service commission will advise on the appointment of and other matters relating to members of the judiciary ? only in exceptional circumstances will the governor be able to go against the commission?s advice.

Crown lands must be disposed of on the advice of the elected Chief Minister and Crown lands occupied by the British Ministry of Defence must also be disposed of with the consent of the the Secretary of State and the Chief Minister. has not yet been able to obtain canvas a view of the Gibraltar changes from Premier Alex Scott.