and Karen Smith A Progressive Labour Party MP yesterday told a forum of Commonwealth Parliamentarians that Government's plan to amend Bermuda's Constitution has been debated `throughout the summer'.

St. George's MP Delaey Robinson, speaking during a morning session on Government accountability, was following remarks by Jamaican delegate Vernon Robinson, who described moves on his island to make government more accountable and inclusive on matters such as constitutional change.

Mr. Robinson agreed with his Jamaican counterpart that while constitutional change in Jamaica comes after a two-thirds majority vote by the population, Bermuda's changes come about after Whitehall (the British Government) reviews the openness of the debate.

"Whitehall in turn requires that there is debate on the issues surrounding constitutional change and for this reason the recent proposals were put on the table before the closure of this session of parliament,'' he said.

Mr. Robinson said there had been debate "throughout the summer'' in the community and there would be further debate in the House of Assembly.

He explained the constitutional changes "involve constituency changes and a very, very fundamental democratic principle'' of one man, one vote.

Once the Boundaries Commission had reported back to the House, there may be "future debate and that will satisfy Whitehall'', Mr. Robinson concluded.

While delegates agreed that the Whitehall system of government proved flexible enough to accommodate changes in political cultures spanning the Commonwealth, Jamaica's Mr. Robinson said he wanted to "shed some light on the systematic and perennial problems'' within the Westminster system of government.

Mr. Vernon Robinson added: "This is not a broadside at the executive but an examination of some of the problems that creep up.'' There was an increasing demand for "greater transparency and participation'' by the electorate who also wants "a more inclusive political process and wider participation and accountability''.

The separation of powers among the three arms of Government -- judiciary, parliament, and executive -- ensures democracy, he said.

But the major problem for democracy within the system is "the overbearing nature of the executive''.

Cabinet members are beholden to the Government Leader for their positions and are not likely to dissent out of fear of falling out of favour.

For MPs "you represent your constituency, but you're also expected to be a legislator'' he added.

"Being an MP is about trying to find a process in parliament to express a constituency issue and toe the Government position,'' he added.

Delegates discuss accountability "The Westminster System is in a process of evolving,'' Mr. Robinson explained. "In this process it gives rise to different forms of democracy and there are no hard and fast rules.'' Jamaica he said, had adopted a Committee system in which back benchers convene hearings from experts and interested parties -- reducing the power of the executive branch.

Other reforms are intended to lead to a greater separation of powers, designed to make parliament "more relevant and more accountable to the populace''.

South African delegate Shaun Byneveldt of the Western Cape Provincial Parliament said greater accountability in his country was coming from the local governments.

Community Policing Forums had been formed to which local executive branch politicians are "engaged'' in dialogue about the wants of the people.

Isle of Man delegate Leonard Singer said his country has no political parties but there are moves -- of which he is a part -- to have a loose association as part of the checks and balances on the Chief Minister.

This loose association, he said was not a party in the sense that the rest of the Commonwealth knows but at present comprises "six or seven'' of the 32-member parliament.

In the afternoon session the topic of discussion changed with delegates listening to speaker Bev Harrison, who is Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick, Canada, about disclosure of interests.

He said following an unprecedented level of cynicism and lack of trust in politicians, New Brunswick had this year brought into force a new Members' Conflict of Interest Act.

The purpose of the legislation was to ensure against corruption, stipulating that no member of the Government used any information to their benefit, used the influence of their office to further their private interests, and accept gifts or fees in return for activities within their official duties.

Hector McClean, of Trinidad and Tobago, said he believed people in public life, no matter which sector, should be accountable and should face stringent checks.

He said Hong Kong had such excellent measures in place, other countries had studied them, but were afraid to implement them for fear too many "flies would be caught''.

And he said legislation should be introduced worldwide for all people in public life to ensure against corruption, with mandatory jail terms and confiscation of goods.

As an aside, he said legislation should be written whereby if somebody informs on a corrupt colleague, they receive 50 per cent of whatever was made through the corrupt deals.

As most corruption was very rarely carried out by one person, he said it would make dishonest public figures think twice before acting.

Bermuda is currently looking at ways to update its disclosure process and was eager to hear what others had to say about how their countries dealt with it.

But opposition MP Patricia Gordon Pamplin said she believed only Cabinet Ministers and those directly involved in deciding how the public's money should be spent should be made to disclose their assets.

And she said the amount of accountability people in Government have should depend on the position they hold, with only those in top posts having to disclose their assets, along with their spouses.