Dear Sir, I have had the opportunity to see the TV broadcast of the meeting on Constitutional change. I was struck by the fact that no-one mentioned the advantages of plural seat constituencies, except in the context of proportional representation.

Our present system provides for two members for each constituency, although our existing constituencies are unequal in size, there is no reason why equal sized constituencies should not have two members. Our present experience has seen split constituencies (the UBP holding one seat and the PLP the other) where the voters of that constituency clearly voted on the basis of the best man for the job. This promotes real democracy at the expense of party political power.

We have also had occasions where both members belonged to the same party but one member was a Minister and one a back-bencher. When this occurs it allows the Minister to get on with the work of Bermuda and the backbencher to look after the interests of the constituency.

When a party is in opposition it permits one member to be noticed in the House while the other can quietly get on with the work of the constituents, and even advance the party's policies through inter-action with Government members.

One man, one vote was an old Chartist cry from the early part of the 19th Century. It has led to the existing system in other common law countries that Professor Wade has called "the worst possible system'' for giving adequate representation to the people. It is true that proportional representation systems used on the continent of Europe and in other countries are complicated, cumbersome and have serious drawbacks, but two-member constituencies have worked in Bermuda for 32 years.

LONE VOICE Paget Questions for MPs November 19, 2000 Dear Sir, Here is a questionnaire every Member of Parliament should read and complete concerning the status situation.

1. Do you believe that the Bermuda Immigration Department protects the local workforce by insisting that a qualified Bermudian should have first preference, and if none are available that non Bermudians are necessary? Yes... No...

2. Do you believe that employment of expats enhances organisations such as hospitals, insurance companies, hotels, providing thousands of jobs for Bermudians and non-Bermudians? Yes... No...

If No, please explain.

3. Has it not been the policy of the Department of Immigration to assure the rights of Bermudians? Yes... No...

4. Do you believe that LTRs should be treated as second class citizens after contributing so much toward the prosperity of this island and should not be awarded status? Yes... No...

If no kindly explain.

QUO FATA FERUNT Paget