Residents have been invited to attend a meeting designed to make people "think outside the box'' for Bermuda's political future.

"Left wing, right wing, special interest groups -- all should be things of the past,'' said organiser Khalid A. Wasi.

Called The Next Step Forum, five speakers will explain Bermuda's political landscape before embarking on open, public discussion about the possibility of political growth and change.

The meeting will be held tonight at the Anglican Cathedral Hall in Hamilton, from 7.30 to 10 p.m.

Speaker Tom Vesey will explain the Westminster system of Parliament, Stuart Hayward will talk about partisanship, Rolfe Commissiong and David Sullivan will talk about Bermuda's political future in regard to the United Bermuda and Progressive Labour Parties, and Mr. Wasi will compare and contrast 21st versus 20th century politics.

The meeting will challenge conventional politics, "so everything should be up for grabs'', said Mr. Wasi.

"Because the UBP (United Bermuda Party) has been stuck in its old mode and the PLP (Progressive Labour Party) is just taking over and enjoying the position -- neither party has exercised the potential Bermuda was once offered,'' he said.

Mr. Wasi said Bermuda should embrace the offer from the British Government to change the Constitution.

"To maximise on the British offer is going to require education. And in order to do that, we would have to do a lot of talking.'' He said participants during the public meeting would raise a lot of questions, like how well do fixed elections really work? "Fixed dates for elections? Do they work for us? Do we still want private party politics?'' he asked He voiced his concern that only ten people really decided who was going to run in each constituency.

The nomination process called a Primary, is run by the political parties who appoint candidates. The candidates are elected to Parliament by the voting public.

"The truth of the matter is the real people who chose the candidates are five or six people.'' Mr. Wasi proposed that everyone should vote in the Primaries, like the US democracy.

He said a number of conventional and accepted political practices would be discussed, such as appointed senators.

Further ideas for discussion include a Freedom of Information Act or lack thereof as well as electing senators per parish or constituency.

The organisers said the meeting was sparked by the recent political and constitutional activity and those topics will be discussed.

But they also plan to challenge the norm and take on a much larger, overall picture of Bermuda's political landscape and future.

CHURCH CHU