copied to the Royal Gazette .) *** Dear Madam Premier, We who object to your attempts to railroad constitutional change through the House have been encouraged to write to you and anyone else who will listen to our profound objections. I herewith do just that and would urge anyone else who values Democracy in this country to do the same -- we must stand up and be counted! After listening to you on the television tonight following the Throne Speech, I have to say, you simply do not get it. You have left the UBP and 46 percent of those who voted in the last election literally out in the cold.

Listen up. No-one is objecting to changing the Constitution, it is the manner in which you tried to do things that is at the centre of the protests. You have tried to change the Constitution by secrecy and then deception -- a death knell to any politician.

"When you were asked in February if you planned Constitutional Change, you said "no'' and the whole time you were meeting with the Junior Minister of the FCO.

After that kind of performance, who can trust you again? And we have to ask, why the hurry and why the secrecy.

Yes, let's have Constitutional change, not your way, but the democratic way. I fully support Ms Valdes-Dapena's suggestion that we start first of all with amending the Constitution in such a way that someone like yourself is totally unable to try to change things in order to consolidate your power.

I would urge you to ask Baroness Scotland to convene a Constitutional Conference where all can have their say. After all, if you are as interested in Democracy as what you profess, what do you have to fear? J & E. PATTERSON Devonshire Assumption proves false October 24, 2000 Dear Sir, I have watched with great interest and in many instances with immense dismay at the Government's handling of the proposed changes to the Bermuda Constitution in particular the changing of the current voting system.

The PLP Government promised the people of Bermuda a "New Bermuda'' which in effect would (we assumed) mean an open and reflective government, one that represented the nation without the self-indulgences and narcissistic attitude that were inherent in previous administrations. This assumption has unfortunately proven to be false. Time and time again we have seen the Government act without accountability to the public by spending large sums on lavish travel (Davos in one example) and fail to account for its actions in Parliament (though the recent Green paper debates must be commended). The proposals tabled in the House of Assembly at the end of the last session to effectively amend Bermuda's Constitution is the height of arrogance and is indicative of a leadership out of touch with the wishes of the people.

Bermudians should be demanding a Constitutional Conference so that debate may be open and all views can be fairly and adequately represented with sufficient opportunity for all to put forth their position. Changes to the Constitution affect us all and rushing such matters can create a quagmire of indecision (take the reform of the House of Lords in the UK). I urge Bermudians to insist that the Government consult the general populace on any changes and if necessary, call a referendum on this all-important issue once proposals are presented for consideration.

MR. WRONG London, England Demonstrate transparency October 28, 2000 Dear Sir, Our Government, following its Election, pledged to be transparent, open and accountable to the people of Bermuda. This will be demonstrated most clearly if they hold a Constitutional Conference in order to make changes to the Bermuda Constitution.

In Opposition, the PLP held the view that the only equitable way of conducting Elections is to devise a method which would ensure `One Man, One Voter, of Equal Value'. If this is still their goal, a system of Proportional Representation should receive full and fair consideration.

LINDA DESILVA Alarmed over possible changes October 28, 2000 Dear Sir, Bermudians of every persuasion, and indeed the entire free world, who cherish democracy, should be viewing with extreme alarm what is unfolding here with reference to our Constitution. From the time I was a little girl I knew what democracy was. I was taught in school and at home it was something for which one would lay down one's life. Our forefathers did. In many parts of the world, people are literally fighting for democracy. We in Bermuda are in very grave danger of losing the most fundamental of underpinnings to our society, which is the foundation of the stable free world. Our democracy is at risk.

The present Constitution is flawed in a way which allows the Government to change the Constitution to its liking without the say of the people. And if Premier Smith can, with the stroke of a pen, amend/veto the recommendations of the Boundaries Commission, no matter how "independent'' she claims the Commission to be, then the Commission is a farce. The Premier, it appears, can make any changes she wants without consultation with those who put her in power.

The Constitution is the document of the People by which they consent to be governed. It does not matter if the PLP has the majority in the House. No-one person has the right to tamper with, alter, adjust the Constitution without the consent of the People. Once that consent is lost we have dictatorship! Ugly word. A terrifying prospect. A prospect over which every single Bermudian should be losing sleep, and be willing to get up, get out and fight against.

Premier Smith branded the UBP boycott of the Throne Speech as "disrespectful'' to the Governor and the Queen. Surely of far far greater concern to the Governor and the Queen should be the loss of Bermuda's democratic process. Great Britain has one of the oldest democracies in the world. The basic principles of the Westminster system have been a model for the free world for centuries. Shouldn't the Governor and the Queen be aghast that one of the Dependent Territories is about to see an end to it? I urge every Bermudian, no matter what colour or political party, to fully understand this very dangerous situation. Being kept in the dark as to the Premier's intentions, knowing that she can use deceit to alter the most precious of documents any free society has, must be cause for great concern for all Bermudians. I am ashamed that someone of the female sex has chosen to bulldoze change, rather than use collective, inclusive and collaborative action, attributes of which women can be generally proud. The lady has let us all down badly.

PEGGY COUPER Pembroke