Process'' from Pat Farmer which appeared on November 21: "Historically this situation has occurred in many countries in the past and has led to a complete dictatorship with the control of the Government and the Judiciary in the hands of one party whose main concern is the promotion of their own power and wealth. Two years ago the results of the General Election gave the PLP the right to form the Government, although they ony had a small majority of the popular vote (53.85 percent).'' Unacceptable changes November 14, 2000 The following was sent to Baroness Scotland of Asthal at the Foreign and Commonwealth office and was copied to The Royal Gazette .

Dear Baroness Scotland, Re: Bermuda Constitution Order 1968 For the first time I have just read the PLP Government proposed amendments to Constitution presented to the Legislature on 18th August 2000 and although I agree amendments are long overdue, the proposals put forward are not acceptable.

The Constituency Boundaries Commission established in the 1968 Constitution is a small body empowered solely to make minor adjustments within the 20 constituencies and it is alarming to learn the PLP is seriously proposing that our Constitution delegate to such a body authority to fix both the number and boundaries of the constituencies from which the elected house is to be made up. It is too small a body and should not be entrusted with such a responsibility.

It is of the utmost important that any amendments clearly spell out how many constituencies there are and where each of their boundaries are to be and the number of members to be elected from each of them.

The appointment of an Ombudsman is a matter for the Bermuda Legislature and has no place in the constitution.

The UBP Opposition proposals that the Bermuda Government be empowered to amend its own Constitution and that responsibility for the Police and Internal Security be transferred from the Governor to the local Government have no merit unless we also go independent.

WILLIAM M. COX Devonshire Seeking a referendum The following was sent to Baroness Scotland of Asthal at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in London and copied to The Royal Gazette .

November 9, 2000 Dear Baroness Scotland, I am sure that by now you must be well aware that a great many of the people of Bermuda are deeply concerned about proposed changes to the Bermuda Constitution. It would appear that the Premier of Bermuda, the Hon. Jennifer Smith, and her PLP Government seek to push through Parliament a number of changes to the Constitution without any form of constitutional conference and/or referendum.

As a Bermuda citizen I must inform you that I am extremely concerned by these proposed changes which I feel, like so many others, will significantly undermine our democratic process. In fact, and not to be melodramatic, I think they move us dangerously close to the possibility of a dictatorial regime.

As a Dependent Territory of the UK we look to you for guidance and security and I believe that there is no greater threat to our security at this time than the current threat to our constitution and our democracy. I urge you, as our representative in the UK Government, to bring influence on the Government and the Premier of Bermuda to convene a full constitutional conference followed by a referendum.

DR. ROBERT C. VALLIS Hamilton Parish Unimpressed by meeting November 10, 2000 Dear Sir, After attending the "open discussion'' meeting last evening on the upcoming Constitutional changes that will be taking place, I feel compelled to write my first letter ever due to my overwhelming shock at the behaviour of our "leaders''! As open as this discussion was supposed to be, it was only so if you were in agreement with the Premier.

I came away from this meeting far more informed about the rude, self-important nature of the leader of this Country than I went in. What is interesting to me however, is how any church-going, rational human being can listen to the insulting responses, in raised voice, to a perfectly reasonable question, such as the one asked by poor Mrs. Archer, and still respect this individual as a leader is beyond me.

Although the moderator began the meeting by asking all those in attendance to respect the opinions of others whether we agreed with them or not, I guess it shouldn't surprise any of us that respecting the opinions of others did not apply to the two most vocal panel members, both of whom were rude and condescending to any individual who put forth a question or comment that they did not agree with.

They also seemed to take great pleasure in announcing that all these people with questions were merely insecure, even going as far as to sympathise by saying that they know exactly how they felt because they used to feel this way and it's just too bad because "we are in charge now''. How dare you both! Every person in this Country has the right to know what is going on and to question issues they deem necessary. Let's face it, politicians don't exactly have a history of complete honesty here or anywhere else in the world.

Accusing the public of insulting you because we want answers proves how arrogant you are. You are the spokesperson for this government, not the Bermuda Lone Ranger! Whether you like it or not, you represent this entire country and you are accountable for your actions no matter what you think! The mere fact that a group of PLP supporters raised their hands to say that, given the choice, they would elect not to have any vote on any future changes to the Constitution now, or at any time should tell all of us that these people are one of two things. Scared or Stupid. Who in their right minds gives anyone ultimate power? Jonestown comes to mind.

As a Bermudian of mixed descent, it saddens me to think that some of us are walking around with blinders on and are allowing our minds to be completely controlled by such negative influences. Wrong is wrong no matter what colour you are or what others have done in the past.

Dame Lois Browne Evans went as far as to say openly that they do things undemocratically because the UBP did it that way for years. Congratulations Dame Lois, you obviously learned nothing in your zillion years in politics.

Don't you get it? That's precisely why the UBP are no longer in power! NOT IMPRESSED Smith's Parish Avoiding abuse of power November 2, 2000 Dear Sir, The Constitution protects the whole country from party politics and whims, which may or may not be good. The protection being sought is from the abuse of power. Both sides of the House can relate to this.

On talk shows and in letters there is a voice that thinks the Constitution was written by the UBP, and since they had their turn and messed it up, it is now the PLP's turn to get it right. We can only hope the average person is smarter than that. It is the Constitution that got us all to this very stage that we have arrived at. Can you imagine being without it? The PLP stated that they were mandated to do the changes they like, because they won the election. That is correct but that does not include constitutional changes. They can lead Bermuda towards these kinds of changes, with the proper concerns and if they did it in the proper manner it would be a great accomplishment.

We need a review of the Constitution, but not because of a change of Government. The intent of it must be protected, and if the amendments are the right ones, then it is only right to have it reinforced by the entire electorate. The only known and accepted system to amend constitutions is by a conference. Sir John Swan thought he was doing what the people of Bermuda needed and wanted, in relation to Independence, only to find, via way of a Referendum that he was mistaken. But he had the integrity to stand on his beliefs and therefore stood aside, which earned my respect.

The PLP and some of its supporters have justified many of their actions and attitudes by how the UBP acted in the past. That is not valid. There is no place anymore for arrogance, which offended all of us, just as there is no platform for racism. We tend to jump on the bandwagon and see things black and white, but we all know better. There is just no strength to the argument any more. We are integrated now, not just in the theatres, but in our neighbourhoods, schools, Churches, Clubs, the House and families.

Why would it be all right now to do the very same things that were protested so much of in the past? Can we get this way of thinking included in the new Constitution? So that when the UBP, or any other Party takes control of the House, they can also make any amendments that suit them? I hope not, and you can be sure if anyone in Bermuda thinks that our Crown, the United Kingdom is going to make all things right, then you should realise that we are already more Independent than you think. If we want to make mistakes we are free to do so. The UK will endorse it because that is the present law. I am just one person, a small voice, but collectively can be very loud. I WANT A CONFERENCE! ALLAN P.N. KUHN (JR.) Smith's Parish Democratic process This letter was sent to the Premier, The Leader of the Opposition and Baroness Scotland of Asthal at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in London and was copied to The Royal Gazette .

November 6, 2000 Dear Sir, I am writing as a Bermudian concerned about the future of our country.

Two years ago, with the election of the PLP Government, we looked forward to a fresh outlook on the political scene. The Government has initiated some programmes which have been in need of attention for a number of years, especially with regard to Social Services and Education. But our Judicial system has been compromised by the political appointment of the Attorney General.

The extravagant spending of the taxpayers' money by members of the Government on large cars and frequent, expensive journeys overseas, and certain questionable Planning Department decisions has brought doubts to the minds of the general public as to whether the Premier and her Ministers were working for the good of themselves or the country.

The sudden announcement of planned changes to the Constitution of Bermuda, in direct reversal of statements made earlier in the year in Parliament, has the community wondering exactly where our future lies.

It seems that through an oversight in the present Constitution, radical changes can be voted through Parliament without consultation with the people of Bermuda. Although very few facts have been divulged, some of these change will result in a small number of people (the Premier and a small Cabinet) having complete control of the Parliament and the Country with little opportunity to oppose them.

Historically this situation has occurred in many countries in the past, and has led to a complete dictatorship with the control of the Government, although they only had a small majority of the popular vote (53.85 percent).

It is very probable that during the ensuing two years this percentage may have become smaller, in which case the decision to change the Constitution of Bermuda should be taken to the whole population in a referendum, in order to ensure that the changes are acceptable to the majority of the population.

It is therefore essential that the UK Government ensure that the free and democratic process of a referendum take place before any changes are considered.

The first step in this direction would be a full Constitutional Conference at which the Bermuda Constitution is updated and amended to prevent any hasty or undemocratic changes in the future.

PAT FARMER Paget A Constitution for all November 10, 2000 Dear Sir, The only thing that has kept the United States of America united is their Constitution. Every American knows that, no matter what, their rights are protected by the Constitution. The problem in Bermuda is that every Bermudian does not feel that way about their Constitution. Why? Well, the Bermuda Constitution as it stands was designed by the United Bermuda Party, who paid little notice to the Opposition Party when they were putting it together. A lot like what is happening now, except the roles are reversed.

The Progressive Labour Party, and their supporter, do not feel very strongly about the Constitution, as it stands, because they were largely ignored when it was first written. All Bermudians must feel that the Constitution belongs to them, and will protect their rights no matter what. In order for this to happen the Bermudians who feel they were left out then, must take a look at the Constitution now, and get themselves comfortable with the fact that it is their constitution as well. This will probably mean that they are going to want to make some changes, and that's OK.

The United Bermuda Party had their turn at the Constitution and now the Progressive Labour party is having their turn at it. I believe that after it's all done Bermuda will have a Constitution that all Bermudians will respect.

This Government must not be afraid to suggest bold changes, and/or additions, to the Constitution if they believe that it is in the best interest of all Bermudians. That is their responsibility. When the Government is finished reshaping the constitution, and I believe they should, the whole ball of wax must be presented to the people who must be given the opportunity to say Yea or Nay.

Only then will all Bermudians be able to unite under one Constitution. Only then will all Bermudians believe that the Constitution will protect them. The Constitution belongs to the people and must never be modified without discussion with the rightful owners.

AL EASTMOND Devonshire Constitutions and cars November 10, 2000 Dear Sir, With the political spectrum so wrought by the present Government's insistence on ramming Constitutional change down our throats, it was quite refreshing to be brought up to speed (pardon the pun) on the reckless, arrogant and immature nature displayed by our present crop of Government Ministers in their sporty oversized and apparently fast cars.

What they should keep in mind is that as a Member of Parliament you are duty bound to carry yourself in a responsible and dignified manner, "beyond reproach''. What type of mixed signals are you sending to the youth who at present are wrestling with all manner of social ills, including a severe lack of respect for figures of authority, themselves or anything else. Now we are faced with the possibility that every speeding ticket issued could be challenged or totally ignored, whatever happened to leading by example? It is truly a sad day in Bermuda! As for Constitutional change, one would have thought that the "Honourable'' Government would have had enough respect for the populace to inform them of what these changes could be. Is that not too much to ask? I will leave you with what I think are a few fitting cliches/quotes: "Don't drive as if you own the road, drive as if you own the car.'' "Be sure your brain is engaged, before putting your mouth in gear.'' "It is said that to err is human, but to remain in error is ignorant.'' "A dictator would have a rough time in a country where people want to kill the referee for making one simple mistake.' THE SPECTRE Pembroke P.s. "Anyone for a secret ballot?...A show of hands will suffice.'' More letters: Page 4