The One Bermuda Alliance is calling for a series of changes to the Bermuda Constitution, crime fighting changes to the justice system and a raft of rules and institutions to promote good governance.It is asking the UK to consider a Constitutional Conference for Bermuda and a UK-Overseas Territories conference which would set standards of good governance.“We believe Bermuda should exercise its powers to the maximum extent possible, with the UK retaining whatever powers it need to exercise its responsibilities,” said Craig Cannonier.“With our submission on the White Paper, we are seeking to strike a new balance between the UK and Bermuda that enables us to navigate this turbulent world with values and systems in place that will protect and care for our people.”In its submission to the FCO on the Overseas Territories, the OBA asks the UK to reconsider its policy not to make any further changes to the Constitution.And it says the UK should provide some clarity on what constitutes a “clear and constitutionally expressed wish” of Bermudians for Independence.It proposes that only a referendum, in which the level of support for Independence is substantial, can do so.Whitehall’s policy on Independence for the Overseas Territories is that “where independence is an option and is the clear and constitutionally expressed wish of the people of the Territories, the British Government will help those Territories to achieve it.”The submission (which can be read in full in the related media section at the end of this story) calls for amending the Constitution by adding provisions which specifies how it can be changed, provides guidance to the Boundaries Commission in consulting the public on electoral changes, entrenches the Register of Members Interests and a series of good governance institutions.It also demands that gender be included as a prohibited category of discrimination in the Constitution, and calls for a debate on whether male-only conscription into the Regiment is appropriate.“The UK may wish to convene a Constitutional Conference to consider not only such amendments proposed but also to assist in the general process of constitutional modernisation,” the paper states.The broad ranging document also suggests that the cause of good governance could be served by changing the electoral system to a proportional representation system, fixed term elections, creating a new Electoral Commission which would enforce an election Code of Conduct and an absentee ballot system.“Fixed term elections could be used to prevent politicians from cynically manipulating general elections when it is advantageous to them,” it states.“In addition, fixed-term Parliaments can be preceded by a mandatory re-registration period 6-12 months before an election was due. The need for accurate lists is critically important in a small jurisdiction like Bermuda. Swing seats are won or lost by as few as seven votes and a critical number of seats by no more than 50 votes. We and the Parliamentary Registrar are aware that, on average in each constituency, about 10 percent of voters are incorrectly registered.”Integrity in Public Office legislation is another key good governance proposal called for by the submission. The law would create an Integrity Commission and an Ethics Commissioner.And it says that the UK should extend to Bermuda the UN Convention Against Corruption.“Allegations of corrupt behaviour have plagued public officials in recent years. If the people are to regain their confidence in governing institutions, and if Bermuda is to maintain its sterling reputation as a place to do business, any and all corruption must be rooted out.”Asked for reaction to the 37-page document, the Progressive Labour Party homed in on the OBA’s criticism of Government’s financial management.“On a day that the leaders of international companies are praising the PLP Government, and after news that 53 new insurance companies were incorporated in Bermuda in 2011, only the OBA could release a document that says ‘an exodus of international business has taken hold’ in Bermuda,” a party spokesman said.“Statements such as these compound the credibility problem that the OBA is facing, that the facts do not match their talk. Comments like these in a formal submission should cause the Bermudian people to question if the OBA really has Bermuda’s best interests at heart.”The document also contains suggestions on Crime, Human Rights and the Environment.The OBA sent its submission off to the UK yesterday, almost two weeks after the December 31 deadline set by the FCO.Last night Governor Sir Richard Gozney told this newspaper that the party had informed the FCO in advance that it would be sending its comments “a little after the deadline.”“The OBA paper was put together by a group of people who have day jobs, families and community responsibilities. Between them and the Christmas holidays, we got a deadline extension,” said a party spokesman.