A member of the British House of Lords said Bermuda's Constitution has the fundamental "cornerstones" of a Parliamentary democracy.

Lord William Alexander of Weedon, QC, Chairman of the House of Lords Delegated Powers Committee spoke with The Royal Gazette yesterday during his two-week visit to the Island.

He raised several points that make Bermuda a stable and affluent Country, including the active role of a free Press.

As a Constitutional committee chairman in the House of Lords, Lord Alexander is familiar with Constitutional reforms and has debated UK reforms including granting (surveillance) powers to Police and reduction of trial by jury.

When asked what are the critical components of a Constitution, Lord Alexander said: "Clearly a regular process of election, a fair election, decent universal franchise, respect for Parliamentary traditions, seeing that the majority party is Government and the ability of the Press to comment on aspects."

But the former Chairman of the UK Bar did not entirely support the media, saying it could be "stringent, difficult and not always accurate".

"But," he continued, "free Press is the cornerstone of democracy, just as a decent democratic election and an independent judiciary are the cornerstones."

He said Boundary Commissions and Parliamentary representation are "bound to arise from time to time" as population numbers change in different areas.

The UK is currently involved in constitutional change in regard to Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales and territories such as Bermuda.