recommend constitutional changes is independent are a "smokescreen'' because Ms Smith can `veto' their proposals, the United Bermuda Party claimed yesterday.

UBP Senator Mark Pettingill said the fact -- which has not been publicised -- that the Premier can alter the Commission's proposals means Ms Smith's claims that the body is independent are a "red herring''.

He said the Constitution allows the Premier to "modify'' the Commission's recommendations before they go to the House of Assembly for ratification.

And because the Progressive Labour Party has a majority of MPs it can ram home the Boundary Commission's recommendations -- after Ms Smith has modified them.

Ms Smith has ruled out a constitutional conference. She claims there will be public consultation about plans to introduce single-seat constituencies and reduce the number of MPs because the proposals will be debated in the House.

The fact that recommendations come from the Boundaries Commission -- drawn from both parties -- ensures independence, Ms Smith has claimed.

But Mr. Pettingill told The Royal Gazette yesterday: "She can modify, so ultimately she will get what she wants.

"It is a simple fact that all this talk about the independence of the Boundaries Commission is lip service because she still has this power.

"All the double talk and red herrings thrown out by the Premier cannot get around the foregoing fact: the proposed amendments leave the ability to `modify' any recommendations of the Boundaries Commission with the Premier.

"Although the report as modified must be approved by the House, this is a fait accompli given the majority in the House.

"The truth of the matter is that the rhetoric bandied about is nothing more than an offensive attempt to obviate, by way of smokescreen, the sinister nature of what is proposed.'' Claim that Premier can veto proposals "The Premier is advocating significant amendments to the Constitution without any structured public consultation, arrogantly standing by the proposition that there is nothing wrong with this approach.

"The fact that has been left out is that the proposed amendments have the effect that after the Commission submits its report, the Premier can make `modifications' to the recommendations contained in the report.

"Conveniently, Jennifer Smith has not mentioned that publicly. So much for transparency! "Simply put, all the glossy lip service with regard to the independent nature of the Commission is nonsense given the fact that the Premier has the power to modify the recommendations. Simply put, that means changes.

"Perhaps the Premier would not entertain drastic modifications which are not in line with the recommendations of the Commission.

"However, the significant point is that no Premier should have that much power. Too much power vested in a Government leader can only lead to the risk of a dictatorial system.

"The current Premier already has a style which can euphemistically be described as superior in attitude. The thought of increasing her power under the constitution is nothing short of absurd.'' Mr. Pettingill said the proposals would give the Premier more power to determine the number of MPs.

"Perhaps this point has been missed by the Government, which wouldn't surprise me, given some of the sloppy legislation that has been presented to the Senate.

"Perhaps the point hasn't been missed at all, which raises issues of even greater concern because the Government will be well aware of the effect the amendments will have on the Premier's power to alter the findings of the Commission.

"Either way, rushed and sloppy, or rushed with ulterior motives, is this what the people of Bermuda deserve, and all offensively cloaked in the lamb's fleece of `one man one vote'?'' Government Information Services said yesterday that the Premier would not be able to respond to Mr. Pettingill's comments for today's newspaper.