THE Bermudian people should have a greater say in the government of the island, says the Opposition United Bermuda Party.And with a view to spelling out its ideas on “Good Governance”, the UBP will host a public meeting at St. Andrew’s Church Hall tonight, starting at 7 p.m.

Speakers will focus on a variety of measures including the use of referenda to decide major issues, integrity in public office legislation, freedom of information and fixed-term elections.

“We want to change the political culture in Bermuda,” Opposition Leader Wayne Furbert said. “We want governments to be held more accountable to the people. We want our representatives to be held to standards of behaviour that reflect the best of Bermuda.

“Right now, we have a system that is ‘father-knows-best’ in style, where public will is often ignored, where political leaders talk down to people, where public concerns about questionable government activities are suppressed.

“On Friday night, the United Bermuda Party will put forward proposals to reverse the trend that has enabled governments to conduct themselves with less regard for the concerns of the people.”

The proposals to be discussed will strengthen voter ability to participate in the government process, improve government accountability, transparency, responsiveness and, ultimately, respect for the law.

“Our aim,” Mr. Furbert said, “is to reform our democracy to ensure that power is always in the hands of the voters, and that governments know it.”

St. Andrew’s Church Hall is located at 49 Church Street in Hamilton across from Bank of Bermuda. Everyone is welcome.