Government Chief Whip Ottiwell Simmons has told a conference that power is in the hands of the people — not the individual in a powerful position, according to reports in the Caribbean.

The veteran politician was speaking at a Commonwealth Parliamentary Association meeting in the Cayman Islands when the subject turned to countries such as Fiji and Bangladesh, which were said to have “not managed to sustain parliamentary democracy”.

According to the newspaper, Mr. Simmons told the meeting: “In truth it’s typical of a lot of governments. Even I could say our Government back home may have been guilty of that. Now, don’t go back to Bermuda and tell them Otti said they’re guilty.

“But the sooner that Governments recognise that the power is in the hands of the people and not in the individual who is holding a powerful position, and they can only be powerful as long as they’ve got the people behind them.”

During his speech to the assembly, Mr. Simmons also outlined the basic principles of a democratic society, including majority rule, the protection of minority rights, the free exchange of opinions, and all citizens being equal before the law. “A democratic government is one where the political power is in the hands and the hearts of the people,” Mr. Simmons said. “The citizen must be involved in every aspect of governance.”

Mr. Simmons, who has served the Pembroke East constituency for more than 30 years, also suggested Bermuda’s push for Independence was taking longer than planned. “Since 1968 (the year Bermuda legislated its first written constitution) we are no longer what we used to be, nor are we . . . exactly what we need to be,” he was reported as saying.

“In the case of Bermuda’s political development . . . it is lagging and to some extent stuck in a quagmire.”

He also said that gaining Independence and adopting a representative democracy does not mean everyone gets everything they want.

“Sometimes people want one thing, and Government gives them another,” he said. “We cannot always yield to every situation.”

Independence and democracy in British Overseas Territories in the Caribbean were hot topics of debate at the conference, the Caymanian Compass stated.

Progressive Labour Party Senator Wayne Caines gave his support for breaking links with the UK.

“We have the necessary tools to govern ourselves on our own,” said Sen. Caines. “Not being an independent nation goes against everything that is normal.”

When Turks and Caicos MP Arthur Robinson questioned why Bermuda would want to risk changing a system which works, Sen. Caines replied: “The assumption is that the country would go in a less than stellar direction. Would you believe in 2007, we have reinsurance companies and offshore companies clamouring to come to Bermuda?

“It has very little to do with Bermuda the place, but with effective and prudent governance.”

Former Premier Jennifer Smith told the newspaper after the conference that Premier Ewart Brown had made it clear a proclamation of Independence would not be an issue in the next General Election.

The conference, which runs until Saturday, has the theme: embracing change in the way we do business — efficient government.