Roughly 30 people attended the tenth Bermuda Independence Commission public meeting last night at Sandys Middle School.

United Nations Special Committee of 24 chairman Sir Julian Hunte noted that throughout the meetings, few people have discussed how a new constitution would be made in an Independent Bermuda.

He told the public that many the fears people bring up at the meetings would be dealt when drawing up a new constitution.

Dame Lois Browne-Evans described her involvement in drawing up Bermuda's first constitution in 1966. She said that if Bermuda became Independent, lawyers from both sides of the political divide would come together to discuss and write the constitution.

Moreover, she said Britain would have a say in the constitution, ensuring that rights were not taken away from anyone.

Various members of the public took up the microphone last night, often giving their views but rarely posing questions to the distinguished panel which included seven members of various UN organisations.

The only question posed was what Bermuda would have to do to be considered self-governed - not Independent - by the UN.

Sir Julian, who is from St. Lucia, said that to reach the minimum standard of self governance the Governor would have to defer his powers to the Bermuda Government.

Soon after that statement, a gentlemen gave an impassioned speech saying he felt the current Governor is a biased individual when it comes to Independence, especially in his stance on the role of a referendum in deciding on Independence. He said the Governor is predisposed to colonial ways although he is supposed to be unbiased.

These statements received a round of applause from many members of the audience.

Another meeting will be held at Clearwater Middle School this evening, starting at 7 p.m.