Taking a lead from Californian Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger is part of the vision that a future United Bermuda Party government would take under the leadership of Wayne Furbert. He feels there is a need to progress beyond the current Westminster-style of governance and be open to incorporating aspects of the US democratic process as Bermuda becomes, in his own words, ?politically mature?.

That would involve such things as fixed period elections, public accountability of civil servants and politicians though congressional-type question and answer sessions and, ultimately, the ability of the country to force a leader to be ?recalled? if they were deemed to be doing a bad job.

?We may have to look at political reform because we have to protect politicians from politicians. That?s why we must have anti-corruption legislation. I believe in fixed term elections. I?m fed up of politicians tricking each other and saying let?s wait until our popularity polls are high enough and then call an election,? said the newly appointed UBP Leader at a meeting of the Party?s Southampton region last night.

?I like the congressional hearings in the States, the idea of sitting out front being asked tough questions. Folks should be able to ask civil servants ?Why did you spend that money? Why did you take all those trips? Why are you wasting tax payers money? Why are you spending $50 million more on Berkeley?? You should have the right to say that.

?And I believe that one of the things Arnold Schwarzenegger has right and is total recall. We have to look at recalling. If you are messing up we should have a system in place that says ?Hello, we want you out.? Even if it is me.?

Mr. Furbert told the meeting of around 30 in the St. Anne?s Church Hall that he was certain the UBP will win the next General Election, and he played on the part of the need for a vision that people can buy into.

A fuller report of this meeting, which was also attended by UBP Shadow Ministers David Dodwell and Jon Brunson, will appear in the later this week.