Dear Sir,

I have long held the view that Bermuda should make more use of referendums than has historically been the case. The size of our population should make such an undertaking relatively simple, and it would allow the Government to truly test the desires of the people.

We should have a referendum right now, not about same-sex marriage, which is a human rights issue that should be decided by law, but about the proposed Pathways to Status legislation.

On one side, we have the Government and many thoughtful community leaders saying that it is necessary if the country is to grow and prosper.

On the other side, we have a group of strident protesters, apparently choreographed by the opposition party, which claims to represent “the people” and which rejects the proposal.

A referendum would reveal the true dimensions of support and opposition for the proposal.

It would also help to give the Government some clear guidance on the matter, as well as establishing just how much of the population is represented by the protesting group.

JOHN MORBEY