Governor Sir John Vereker and former British Columbia Attorney General Brian Smith Q.C. are the speakers at the inaugural lecture series of The Foundation for Bermuda Studies on Thursday.

Set up by Arthur Hodgson, Lynda Milligan-Whyte, Michael Markham and Graeme Outerbridge, the foundation is an independent, non-partisan think tank.

Sir John and Mr. Smith will offer perspectives on constitutional development at the first lecture.

The evening begins a 7.30 p.m. in the North Hall of Bermuda College.

Sir John will be speaking on ?Changing the role of Colonial Governors? and Brian Smith Q.C. will be speaking on ?Evolution of the Canadian Constitution?.

Arthur Hodgson said: ?We are delighted to have two very distinguished and knowledgeable lecturers speak at our inaugural event.

?The lecture topic is constitutional development and as we are the largest existing colony of the British Empire the lectures will be very relevant to Bermuda.

?However, Bermuda?s history, status and future as a colony will purposely not be directly discussed because the objective of the lecture series is to provide us with knowledge and examples from outside of Bermuda, from which we can form a more macroscopic perspective.

?To be exact, by learning about other countries? colonial experiences and listening to different perspectives on constitutional development we will be better equipped, with a comparative knowledge base, that will help us to better understand Bermuda?s position and provide us with a framework from which we can contemplate Bermuda?s colonial situation.?