BERMUDA
CONFIDENTIAL
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Constitution
1. Bermuda (population 57,000 of which roughly two-thirds is coloured and referred to locally as 'black' and one-third white) is a dependency under the Crown. The 1968 Constitution as amended in 1973, protects the fundamental rights and freedoms of the individual and provides for a Ministerial system of government. The Queen appoints the Governor, who remains responsible for external affairs, defence, internal security and police. There is a Governor's Council, consisting of the Governor, the Premier and two Ministers, which the Governor may consult about matters affecting his reserve powers, although he is not bound to accept their advice. Except for these functions, and a few others established by the law, the Governor acts in accordance with the advice of the Cabinet.
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2. Ministers are appointed by the Governor from the bicameral legislature (Legislative Council and House of Assembly), on the advice of the Premier, who is appointed by the Governor as being the member best able to command a majority in the House of Assembly: Ministers are responsible for one or more Government Departments.
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3. The Opposition Leader is appointed by the Governor from the largest minority group or party in the House of Assembly which consists of 40 members elected by universal suffrage. The Legislative Council is nominated; five members are appointed at the Governor's discretion, four on the advice of the Premier, and two on the advice of the Opposition Leader.
Political
4. There are two political parties. The predominantly coloured Progressive Labour Party (PIP), led by Mrs Lois Brown-Evans was formed shortly before the 1963 election and now forms the Opposition. The multi-racial United Bermuda Party (UBP), led by Mr David Gibbons who succeeded Sir Jack Sharpe as Premier in August 1977, was formed shortly after the 1963 election by 25 of the successful independents. The UBP won 26 seats and the PLP 14 seats in the general election held or 18 May 1976, but the UBP lost one seat to the PLP in a subsequent by-election, In the two previous elections (1968-1972) it had secured a majority of 20 seats. There are eight registered trade unions with a to tal membership of about 4900; the largest is the Bermuda Industrial Union (BTU) covering about two-thirds of all union members.
5. Sir Jack Sharpe resigned as Premier in August because he had been opposed for some time by a group of dissidents within the UBP, whose main objective' was thought to be to secure the appointment of
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1 CONFIDENTIAL
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