Opposition Leader Pamela Gordon yesterday called on Government to have a Constitutional Conference to debate major changes to the way the Island picks Parliamentarians.

And Ms Gordon raised the issue of proportional representation -- citing her party's 45 percent share of the vote in the last election.

Meanwhile, Independence campaigner and political science lecturer Walton Brown yesterday cautiously welcomed Government's proposals for constitutional change.

Said Ms Gordon: "Major constitutional changes have always been made by an Order in Council but Bermudian Governments have always had the courtesy of having Constitutional Conferences.'' Since 1968 there have been six changes to the Constitution, two in 1968, one in 1973, two in 1979 and one in 1989. Constitutional Conferences were held in 1966 in London and 1979 at Warwick Camp.

"While the PLP have long indicated as far back as the first Constitutional Conference that they wanted constituency boundary reform,'' Ms Gordon added, "one of the things we feel strongly about is that we implore the Premier to do this with a Constitutional Conference.'' "Yes, definitely there is precedent in airing it out in a Constitutional Conference,'' she added. "I don't know why the Premier is trying to bypass the mechanism we have always used on contentious changes.'' In the paper presented to Parliament on Friday, Ms Smith gave no indication how big districts might be, only saying they should be of "an equal number, or as near as can be, of eligible voters''.

The decision would ultimately be left to the next Boundaries Commission, Ms Smith said.

"What surprises and concern us is the process which appears to bypass the legislature,'' Ms Gordon said. "There are so many things left open, especially when we look at what they were concerned with in the 1960s and what was important to them.

"The UBP is not balking at the fact that Government are looking to change the Constitution.

Gordon: Govt. must call Constitution conference "What we're concerned with is the way they want to do it,'' she added. "What does Government have to fear? "Why didn't they give an indication or some broad idea of number for this discussion we are supposed to have? Be it 1,200, 1,500 or 2,000 seat constituencies, a Government that is operating with transparency would have given an indication to that end. Are we just going to give the Boundaries Commission carte blanche?'' Ms Gordon also backed Shadow Legislative Affairs Minister John Barritt's suggestion that the move was an attempt by Ms Smith to shore up her position within her party.

"It does bring into question the timing that the Premier has chosen to bring this forward with the Biannual Conference coming in October,'' she said.

"I do believe some change is necessary,'' Ms Gordon continued. "Because it does seem unfair that there are certain constituencies almost double in number of other constituencies.

"But I believe the process by which we arrive at a solution must be one of complete openness. They appear to have no interest in the open parliamentary process and that would be unfortunate.'' Turning to Proportional Representation, Ms Gordon suggested that with a reduction in seats, it would be more fair to account for parties by their popular vote.

"With a scaled down version of parliament we should review the first past the post system that we have,'' she said. "Forty five percent of 40 seats is 18 seats under proportional representation.

"If Government supports one man one vote and each vote of equal value then it should support proportional representation which is based on the number of the party's votes in an election.

"With a conference, they would still have the majority but such issues would be discussed,'' Ms Gordon concluded. "You can't do it halfway. It should be put on the table and addressed in its sincerity and entirety.

"It's a step in the right direction,'' Mr. Brown said yesterday. "It's really the only logical strategy because single seat constituencies are the norm in democracies all around the world.'' The Bermuda College lecturer explained: "The dual seat constituencies are a product of the 1960s as one of the electoral strategies of the old oligarchy.'' But Mr. Brown thinks the House of Assembly should not be reduced to below 30 seats, because there should be a "critical mass'' of Cabinet, back benchers, and Opposition members in the chamber. "I feel very strongly we should reduce the size to 30. Twenty would be too small,'' he said. "You need to have a critical mass in Parliament from which to draw your Cabinet from.'' Former British Governments have stated there will not be any more constitutional changes short of Independence.

Although for much of the last two decades the ruling party there was Conservative -- the current Labour Government has close ties with the PLP and may have a different perspective.

Mr. Brown said: "I suspect there to have been some discussion with the British in this respect. It will be very interesting what the British will require of Government to effect this change.'' But the Independence campaigner was never far from Mr. Brown's comments.

"Of course, anytime you change the Constitution it creates a very good opportunity to review it,'' he said. "It should be seen to be the full and proper document it should be as Bermuda walks into the future.'' Mr. Brown disagreed with the idea the timing was an internal political move.

"This is entirely consistent with longstanding PLP policy and the timing doesn't have any role in the leadership battle, no,'' he said. "All of the PLP members including the delegates would support these moves and you're not going to get factions splitting off on this.

"It's in keeping with global trends,'' he added. "And it is time we look at the Constitution we have and see if it is the Constitution we want. No, it's not a pretence for Independence per se. If the political will is there then we'll see that (Independence).

"With these moves you are saying you want greater control over how the country is operated,'' Mr. Brown said. "Why take half a step when we are fully able to govern ourselves?'' But he added: "We're out of step with democracies around the world. More significant developments have yet to be proposed. This is a minor correction.

We are an anomaly.''