Term limits should be scrapped and long term residents given clear guidelines as to how they can obtain Bermuda status, the United Bermuda Party says.Charlie Swan, one of the two remaining UBP MPs said that his party believed that Government’s term limits policy should be abandoned as it had “proven to be unproductive in a growing economy”.“Any person who comes to our Island, contributes to it socially and economically, and may wish to stay, should be able to access and see a clear path to that end.”Government’s current term limits policy restricts work permits to a maximum of six years under normal circumstances, but a three-year extension is available if an employer makes the case that the employee is key.Employers deemed to be good corporate citizens are also exempt from the policy which is intended to encourage employers to make genuine efforts to recruit and train Bermudians.Critics of the policy say it has had the opposite effect and destroyed jobs while adversely impacting the economy by driving away non Bermudians.But the original reasoning for the policy was to put an end to endless renewals of work permits and increasing numbers of long term residents who would then expect to be given Bermudian status.In 2002, a year after implementing the term limits policy, legislators gave hundreds of long term residents the right to apply for status or permanent residency.PLP general election candidate Marcus Jones has advocated that Government may want to consult again on the term limits policy. But he warned that the “quandary” of long term residents would have to be addressed again if term limits are abolished.Such a move “will roll back the clock and the issue of expected residency will once again be a quandary”, Mr Jones said.“The PLP Government can lay claim to resolving the dilemma for many long term guest workers prior to 1998 who were left in limbo. So if you begin the debate of removing term limits you are obligated to take the discussion deeper to include permanent residency, citizenship and even explore the possibility of PRC holders having the right to vote.”This newspaper asked the two opposition parties what their position would be on long term residents if the term limits policy is abandoned.The One Bermuda Alliance, which opposes the policy and has promised to suspend it if elected, did not respond.“During challenging economic periods countries must be mindful of the 'brain drain syndrome' where an exodus of professionals can actually play a role in crippling a country’s economy,” said Mr Swan.“Any individual who immigrates to Bermuda, for whatever reason, should know or be told their status up front and clearly — probably during an Immigration interview and/or via an Immigration Info Package.”He added there should be a clear track to citizenship for those who are long term residents, using criteria such as term of residency, marriage, and financial, economic or social commitment to Bermuda.“One idea is to use a points system, rating each of these various vehicles. Each of these 'Paths to Citizenship' would be governed by clear guidelines, arrived at with cross party consultation,” he continued.Such a system would allow PRC holders to eventually get Bermudian status and the right to vote, he said.