Constitution, including the abolition of parish boundaries as the guidelines on which constituency boundaries are based and the introduction of single seat constituencies, delivered by Premier Jennifer Smith in then House of Assembly on Friday.

Mr. Speaker, it is my privilege and pleasure this morning to table in this Honourable House a paper entitled "Amendments to Bermuda's Consitution''.

I use the words privilege and pleasure deliberately, Mr. Speaker, because the Paper today fulfils a long-standing commitment of the Bermuda Progressive Labour Party to create a fair and more just society.

Mr. Speaker, Honourable Members of this House will recall that on 23rd July, 1999, we debated the United Kingdom's White Paper. On that occasion, in my opening statement, I noted that this Government "...is fundamentally opposed to the inequities enshrined in section 52 of the Bermuda Constitution''. At that time I reiterated Government's call for the removal of Parish boundaries as the guideline on which electoral constituencies are based. I also reiterated the Government's commitment for the establishment of single seat constituencies composed of an equal number, or as near as can be, of registered voters.

Mr. Speaker, the Paper proposes changes to the Constitution that will allow for single seat electoral constituencies of equal numbers, or as near as can be, of eligible registered voters. In doing this, the Paper recognises the fundamental principle of one person, one vote, with each vote of equal value.

In addition, Mr. Speaker, the changes that are proposed enhance democracy by reducing the number of seats in the House of Assembly in accordance with the recommendation of a future Boundaries Commission.

Mr. Speaker in the year 2000, it is interesting to note that almost four decades ago, in 1960, it was former Progressive Labour Party Member of Parliament, Mr. Roosevelt Brown (through the Committee for Universal Suffrage) who first publicly demanded "one man, one vote'' and single seat constituencies., Mr. Speaker, the beginning of the third millennium, some twenty years after the last constitutional amendments took effect, is a good time to consider modernising Bermuda's Constitution to further spread democracy in a country which boasts the "oldest Parliament within the Commonwealth outside of the British Isles''.

Mr. Speaker, in line with Government's commitment to better serve the public and to offer a more transparent government, the Paper includes a proposal for the establishment of an Ombudsman. This, you may recall Mr. Speaker, is in line with a recommendation contained in the Recent Review of the Civil Service in Bermuda (paragraph 5.8.4) and enunciated in the floor of the House on June 2nd, 2000.

Finally, Mr. Speaker, this paper also addresses two minor housekeeping items by substituting the term Commonwealth citizens for British subjects to give effect to section 521 of the British Nationality Act 1981, and by changing the title Auditor to Auditor General in line with accepted practice throughout the world., Mr. Speaker, I fully recognise the significance of what is being proposed and I wish to encourage the widest possible discussion on this most significant initiative.

It is my intention, therefore, Mr. Speaker, to let the Paper sit through the summer recess during which time it is my hope and expectation that lively discussion will take place throughout Bermuda and that the views of as many Bermudians as possible will be communicated to us. It is proposed, subject to any further changes, to debate the amendments when the House of Assembly convenes in the fall.

Mr. Speaker, at the beginning of this statement I attempted to convey to the House my deep sense of satisfaction in moving forward with a matter which has been so dear to my party for so long. In Government, as in Opposition, we have consistently held to the view that the current system of electoral constituencies is undemocratic and unjust.

No-one, Mr. Speaker, can therefore accuse us of being inconsistent.

The Paper tabled here today is a promise kept. Stated in our 1998 Election Platform, as in previous platforms, and one more example of this Government's determination to create a true and just society.

I am proud of what this Government has achieved so far, and promise you and the public that we will continue to work to carry out the mandate given to us by the people of Bermuda.

Premier Jennifer Smith