It is clear that Bermudians are increasingly dissatisfied with the Westminster system of Parliamentary debates and are unhappy with the divisive and confrontational style of politics that it can engender.

Last Saturday?s meeting showed that. While it may appear that around 100 people at the event is hardly a sign of a tidal wave of support, it must be remembered that the event was not heavily advertised, and for reasons best known to the organisers, was arranged for a Saturday night when politics is the last thing on most people?s minds.

Given those factors, the turnout was quite good. The fact that more than 13,000 people have signed a petition calling for a referendum on Independence also shows that people are interested in direct democracy.

That petition also seems to suggest a growing frustration with the highly centralised executive power that lies within the Cabinet which enables, for example, Government to continue to pursue Independence in spite of polls that consistently show that two thirds of the population is opposed to it.

The petition also shows that Bermudians want a direct say in major issues of the day, such as Independence. In part, this may be driven by mistrust of their political leaders, but more importantly, voters are saying that they are sophisticated enough to make up their own minds rather than turning that decision over to their MPs.

In that sense, this is a call for more participatory democracy and less representative democracy.

But it also seems to reflect annoyance within an Island as small as Bermuda, as many as half of the Island?s politicians can be relegated to the Opposition for (in the Progressive Labour Party?s case) 30 years. That is a waste of talent.

There is some risk that people who raise these concerns will be accused of remaining silent until 1998 when the PLP came to power. But the very point was being made before then. There were many people who felt Dame Jennifer Smith had the best grasp of the issues concerning education, but was restricted to criticism.

No party, it is often said, has a monopoly on wisdom, and the same can be said for talent.

In addition, Bermuda?s major parties are not that far apart these days on the major issues. Their solutions to many of the Island?s problems are distinguished by degree rather than by major philosophical differences.

Having said that, increasing participation and reducing the sound and fury of politics is easier said than done.

Panellist Tom Vesey had several constructive ideas, however. Some were strikingly simple, such as having MPs debate in a round chamber instead of from benches that face each other. More free votes without a whip would also help.

Referendums on constitutional changes and other major issues of the day would also give voters a greater stake in government and politics.

The challenge is how to broaden democracy at the same time that the executive branch of government has the ability to act quickly and effectively when necessary. That?s a topic that needs more discussion and debate.

New Opposition Leader Wayne Furbert seems to have gotten the message and it is clear the UBP is now pursuing a less confrontational and more constructive line. That is probably smart politics too, if it capitalises on change.

Now, if Premier Alex Scott were to drop Independence and to start a debate on improving democracy in Bermuda, then he might be on to something.