A participant in the process to draft Bermuda's first Constitution some 30-plus years ago has called for a conference to discuss the latest round of proposed changes.

J. Christopher (Kit) Astwood, who was involved in the three-year lead-up to the Constitutional Conference in 1966, said the process of discussion before the event was invaluable.

"What better way to get consensus on the subject matter before us then let the people discuss it?'' he asked.

In 1963 it was decided that the best route to take toward forming the Constitution was to have a conference because there were so many interest groups which needed a chance to present their case.

And the Labour Government of the time insisted on the full Constitutional Conference following a period of consultation with all of Bermuda's interest groups.

Mr. Astwood said: "It was very important for all that (people's ideas) to be vented and released. A lot of ideas later died because they were not practical but they were not suppressed.

"Bermudians spent three years researching the details of our wants and needs.

"In particular, we all wanted what was best for all our Bermudians, all our contributors and workers, all our religions and all our freedoms -- especially freedom of association and freedom of speech.'' Mr. Astwood noted the political parties put their platforms in place during the three years leading up to the conference as did a number of private citizens. Some 30 people attended the conference in 1966 and about a third of them represented the political parties.

Future methods of changing the Constitution were hammered out at this time as well, continued Mr. Astwood.

"We also obtained the full agreement of the UK government and the Bermuda Government of the day that future-proposed major changes would be put forward at a full Constitutional Conference to be held in Bermuda or the UK.

"These future Conferences, like the first, would be attended by as broad a spectrum of the Bermuda community that had serious proposals to put forward.'' The policy was followed at the second Constitutional Conference which was held at Warwick Camp in 1979.

Mr. Astwood went further and suggested that Government follow the United Bermuda Party precedent set in 1968 at the first General Election.

There the UBP included the Constitution in its platform and promised to implement it if it won, which it did. The Constitution that had been approved following the discussion period was put in place.

He said: "The Government of the day should put the changes in their platform and stand or fall on it under the existing voting system.

"They could have all the chit-chat first and let the population discuss their plans.'' GOVERNMENT GVT