Bermuda should open up the franchise to all Commonwealth citizens, says British MP Andrew MacKinlay who pointed out that Bermudians living in the UK had the right to vote there.

And he said it was high time Bermuda modernised the franchise used in Corporation of Hamilton and St. George's elections.

Mr. MacKinlay is on the Foreign Affairs Committee which visited Bermuda before producing a wide-ranging report which urged the Overseas Territories to look at extending voting rights to long-term residents (LTR)

The issue of voting came up in submissions from Bermuda to the FAC with complaints people were being denied a democratic right.

Last week one LTR complained he had been in Bermuda 35 years but still couldn't vote.

Mr. MacKinlay told The Royal Gazette: "I am not expecting the British Government to come down heavy at all. But the issue won't go away. It would be much better if Bermuda addressed it."

He said in the UK all Commonwealth citizens could vote in elections from the day they arrived without taking British citizenship and some MPs were actually citizens of other countries.

"It seems to me in Bermuda, when people have a legitimate lawful right to abode, it is both democratic and fair that the franchise should be extended to them."

He said the same should apply in Bermuda with Commonwealth citizens getting the vote in their first year just like Bermudians could get the vote as soon as they turned up and registered in Britain.

European Union (EU) citizens living in England are allowed to vote in local and EU elections but not UK general elections unless they took British citizenship, explained Mr. MacKinlay.

"Anyone lawfully here is entitled to apply for British citizenship. It takes a wee while and it doesn't automatically apply."

However Progressive Labour Party backbencher Walter Roban said the PLP had dealt with the LTR situation in 2000 and the recommendations from the FAC were probably more appropriate for other territories.

He added: "I don't see there is a need for us to push it any further. People will always want more but you have to make a decision in the context of where you are.

"This matter came up in the election and I think the public made a decision about what they wanted — they are quite happy for it to stay where it is."

The FAC also called for an Electoral Commission for Bermuda.

Asked what this involved Mr. MacKinlay said all democracies needed to review their procedures, including the UK, but he didn't think Bermuda had major problems — other than the restricted franchise for voting in Corporation of Hamilton and Corporation of St. George's elections.

"That franchise is simply not tenable or acceptable any more."

He said he hoped Bermuda would look at best practice but if it continually failed the UK might need to take a look.

Critics have complained that because business owners have one vote each while residential owners have one vote per household, the system is unfairly biased toward property owners.

The British MPs also championed the idea of a locally-appointed deputy Governor.

Asked if that might be a conflict of interest for an appointee serving Britain but undergoing local pressures, Mr. MacKinlay said: "It think it is a practical idea. It requires good selection.

"It's simply a good idea and is actually happening in some overseas territories so for one of the most sophisticated overseas territories surely it would be imminently sensible — it would be a healthy situation and a sign of maturity."

He said the selection process would be competitive and open to anybody to apply.

The FAC also recommended phasing out conscription and the outlawing of discrimination based on gender and sexual orientation.

Mr. MacKinlay said those issues are intertwined.

"If they act upon that they can't have conscription as it is at the moment which is exclusively men.

"Of course I don't suppose the body politic of Bermuda would want subscription extended to both men and women, although I may be wrong.

"My personal view is conscription is not tenable or defensible."

Despite being a member of the ruling party in Britain, Mr. MacKinlay is not sure how his Government will respond to the report but he said he would keep up the pressure on discrimination.

"I think the Government is slightly chastened that they haven't been properly addressing their responsibilities for the overseas territories.

"Clearly the UK have abdicated certain things they should be involved in regarding Bermuda and I expect them to respond."

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office has 60 days to reply to formally reply to the report.