Tightening up Bermuda's democracy with Bermuda's first Ombudsman, forging ahead with plans to build a new rest home for seniors in St. George's and making further headway with an Unemployment Insurance Scheme should all feature in the Throne Speech on October 31.

Governor Sir John Vereker is expected to refer to the first sitting of Bermuda's new single seat parliament in the speech delivered on the Cabinet building's front lawn but his message should also contain some sobering reflections on Hurricane Fabian, its impact and Government's response.

While the Throne Speech is read by the Governor, it will set out Premier Alex Scott's legislative agenda for the coming year.

Despite a distinct change in style since the general elections, no radical departure from the path set by former Premier Jennifer Smith is expected.

The Governor will reiterate Government's commitments to improve the public education system, make some comments on the progress of the new senior secondary school at Berkeley and move forward with plans to regulate home schools and involve parents more in the education of their children.

Government is also expected to forge ahead with the party's pre-election platform promises to create a court for criminals with mental illnesses, a maths literacy project, new crash helmet standards, and a ban on paints harmful to the environment.

The Throne Speech should also contain plans to legislate a National Health Council which will be charged with improving Bermuda's healthcare system, and make changes to adoption laws.

On e-Commerce, Governor Sir John Vereker will mention a recently released discussion paper on the industry and announce upcoming legislation dealing with data security and accessing obscene materials online.

On transportation, legislation to allow for shared-ride taxi fares may well be the most significant development.

While controversial plans to force computerised dispatching on the taxi industry are expected take a back seat or be shelved altogether.