negotiate readers through the intricacies of the proposed Government changes: That the provisions in the Constitution dividing the parishes of Bermuda into two-member constituencies be deleted and replaced by provisions dividing Bermuda into such number of single-member constituencies, being not less than 20 and not more than 40, as recommended by the constituency Boundaries Commission first appointed after the constitutional changes come into affect The PLP has believed since its inception that Bermuda's twin seat parishes distort the democratic process because they are unequal in size. Thus Paget has roughly half the electorate as Warwick but both parishes return two members. The Government argue having single seats of the same size makes elections fairer. And they believe it will increase accountability as members in twin seats can dodge responsibility by blaming the other MP.

Instead of using the parish boundaries natural landmarks, roads and other benchmarks will be used as Bermuda is divided into constituencies of roughly equal size. The Boundary Commission will decide how many seats there are - this will affect the number of MPs. Currently Bermuda has 40 but the new figure could be anywhere between 20 and 40.

------------ That the disqualification for membership of the Senate and House of Assembly imposed by section 30 (1) (a) of the Constitution (the effect of which disqualifies a Bermudian who is, by virtue of his own act, under any acknowledgement of alliance, obedience or adherence to a foreign power or state) be removed Currently Commonwealth citizens can sit in the Bermuda House of Assembly but Bermudians who have a passport for another non-Commonwealth country are barred from doing so. This clause will remove the distinction between Commonwealth and non-Commonwealth countries to allow all Bermudians to be able to stand for election regardless of what passport they hold.

------------ That the title of the office of Parliamentary Secretary in the Constitution be change to Junior Minister Currently the PLP's five senators have posts within Government. Senator Milton Scott is the Education Minister while the other four, known as Parliamentary Secretaries, have junior roles helping out the cabinet ministers. For instance Patrice Parris is the Parliamentary Secretary for three ministries -- Finance, Education and Youth and Sport. By changing the title from Parliamentary Secretary to Junior Minister Bermuda will come in line with the custom in other countries such as the UK.

------------ That the title of an office of Auditor in the Constitution be changed to Auditor General Bermuda's Auditor is to become the Auditor General which is the title used elsewhere in the world. Legislative Affairs Minister Dame Lois Browne-Evans explained that at international conferences Bermuda's Auditor wasn't always taken seriously because his opposite number thought he was an auditor rather the Government's top man. ------------ That new provision be made in the Constitution for the establishment of the office of ombudsman An ombudsman is an independent, non-biased appointee who can take up complaints against the Government. The ombudsman will investigate complaints and analyse rights, recommend the fairest way to resolve problems and recommend ways to stop the problem reoccurring. The UK and other countries have ombudsmen.

------------ That references in the Constitution to "British Subject'' be deleted and that "Commonwealth citizen'' (within the meaning of the British Nationality Act 1991) be substituted This name change has been requested by the British Government.