Changes to Parliamentary procedures have moved a step closer after MPs unanimously backed a motion to bring standards in line with other jurisdictions.And one Opposition MP said Government should legalise the televising of Parliament to make politicians more accountable and transparent.Government Whip Cole Simons kicked off the debate after earlier tabling a motion “to ensure that Bermuda’s legislature meets the standards prescribed in the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) benchmarks for democratic legislatures”.A Joint Select Committee will now be appointed to examine “management structure and governance in order to provide an efficient and effective parliamentary service to the people of Bermuda”.“This is all about governance and improving the standards and level of Parliamentary service in Bermuda,” Mr Simons said.“Bermuda was set up in the old colonial days and democracies, like politics, have evolved. We must bring our Parliament in line with current times and the current agenda. We live in an ever-evolving, knowledge-based and technology-driven society and as a consequence our Parliament must adjust to this new paradigm.“If Bermuda’s parliamentary system is a system that really exists to express the will of the people, it must produce decisions that better the lives of our people in today’s challenging and ever-evolving environment.”He said that the committee will examine the setting up of a “board of directors” to make sure that Parliament is managed effectively. Parliamentary budget process administrative staff development and the effectiveness of IT protocols.And MPs could also come under fresh scrutiny with the possible introduction of “output performance measures”.“How are we going to be accountable for what we say we’re going to deliver? Mr Simons, said.Opposition Whip Lavita Foggo applauded the motion and said a priority should be made to ensure that “we seek to get our legislature independent from any other government ministries”.“You never want anyone to say that Parliament or MPs or legislature are in the pocket or hands or jurisdiction of any one particular person or body,” she said.“Everything that is done by us needs to be seen to be done without any sort of influence whatsoever.”And Shadow Home Affairs Minister Walter Roban said he looked forward to the day when television cameras would be able to be installed in the house, so that the public would be able to scrutinise their Parliamentary representatives on a dedicated channel.“I recall, not as a member of this House but as an observer, some years ago when [radio] broadcast of the legislature was introduced in the 1990s and it was seen then to be a monumental step and quite revolutionary to have us broadcasting the debates in both chambers,” he said.“This institution has lagged behind the wider community in its modernisation, but we should all be pleased with the steps that have been taken recently with the introduction of the Hansard. I think these are wonderful developments because if this legislature is more open to the wider public, they will more effectively engage in the process.“The infrastructure of this building doesn’t allow for some of the things this document requires of us. The infrastructure of this hallowed chamber is 18th and 19th century — to provide 21st century service to Bermuda. It’s not sufficient.“I look forward to the day when it can be gutted and refurbished and resources added. We can broadcast the daily debates on a channel dedicated. I look forward to that happening — when we can have cameras in here.”