A bill paving the way for national referendums is an “important piece of business” achieved by Government, according to former Premier Alex Scott.The Government backbencher said it was important that referendums in Bermuda “not be abused”.“It should not be used for everything that comes to mind. That’s the responsibility of Parliament but there will be special issues put to referendum,” he stated.Commending the latest step to boost democracy, Mr Scott added: “Parliament this day did an important bit of business. Flags weren’t flown, horns weren’t blown and we didn’t have a marching band, but it’s worthy of such note because we have come a long, long way.”Minister of Government Estates and Information Services Michael Scott also reflected upon how society has progressed since the debate over capital punishment sparked by the 1977 hangings of “our native sons” Erskine Burrows and Larry Tacklyn. Mr Scott said of the new bill: “It’s a clarion call to our Country and people that the concept of Government by the people is now much more pronounced.”The wording of the legislation provoked concerns from members of the Opposition and the United Bermuda Party that just a quarter of registered voters could end up deciding referendum issues.Newly-appointed Transport Minister Walter Roban dismissed the concerns, saying: “I do believe that how this has been shaped is appropriate.”Kim Swan, who was elected under the United Bermuda Party banner, said referendums in Bermuda “have a history of causing great division within political parties”.“No doubt a referendum on gaming would prove to be a robust debate,” he said. “Considering gaming is going to be robust, let me tell you that when this Country considers Independence again it will be another robust debate to the tenth degree.“And I believe that mechanisms that clearly define the rules of how we educate our Country both on all sides of the issues are important and that the process is clearly laid out, that it is fair, transparent and that it encourages the result that the people want.“And then at the appropriate time the Government will act upon the wishes of the electorate.”One Bermuda Alliance MP, Patricia Gordon Pamplin said: “We are not swimming or boating through unchartered territories through this, we have had referenda in the past. This effectively is taking out the specific issue and giving up a procedural basis for any referendum to appear as time goes on.“What is important to note is that the wording can make the determination and that is why we say we have an issue with the method of this particular act which effectively is top down rather than bottom up.“We’ve heard about giving power to the people and we know about the song we used to sing, ‘Power to the People’, in the mid-60s. We understand that and that’s the intent but the wording of this Referendum Act is a little deficient in that regard and I believe that we cannot negate that.”Premier Paula Cox said the responses she heard from the other side of the House reminded her of the fairy tale ‘Goldilocks and the Three Bears’. She said they couldn’t decide which bowl of porridge was just right between them.“Every effort seems to be being exerted by the Opposition, whichever one you want to refer to — to say ‘well this is okay but’ when the point is that this bill is setting in legislative stone a historic position with regard to going forward with referendums.“Contrary to what you’ve heard about a one-size-fits-all approach, nothing could be further from the truth.“The beauty of the model that we have put before you is the fact that it provides, it means fitness for the purpose — depending on what the referendum is going to be held on, what the question is going to be, that you can customise it, including even with regard to the percentage, with regard to participation.“I think this Bill is a useful one, it’s a historic one, it’s a special one because whatever happens in the future when we are dealing with Independence and other issues this Bill will be the foundation and cornerstone for that. And it is putting in place legislatively and institutionalising that.”