single-seat constituencies, but said it would be prepared to accept a reduced House of Assembly with 35 or 36 MPs.

UBP leader Pamela Gordon outlined her party's response to the constitutional reforms, but insisted all changes should be ironed out at a "conference of a constitutional nature'' then put to a referendum.

She said a full-blown constitutional conference of the type previously held -- with large United Kingdom delegations flown in -- need not be held because of the excessive cost, but that some form of conference needed to take place.

At a UBP public meeting of around 150, mostly white people at Christ Church Hall, Devonshire, she said any constitutional change would also have to be backed by an "entrenched provision'' -- ensuring any reform had to be supported by a specific percentage of the electorate.

The exact figure could be worked out at a conference - but it would still have to be ratified by an Order in Council of the British Government.

The UBP did not favour a reduction in the number of MPs from 40, but if the "mood of the country'' was for less, the party could support 35 or 36.

Ms Gordon suggested the Speaker of the House be a nominated non-political figure.

She told the overwhelmingly white audience that Government's plans for one man one vote in single constituencies of equal size would not ensure equal value for votes because of the first past the post system.

A second party could achieve a huge vote and receive no MPs. Equal value was only possible if there was some form of proportional representation.

The UBP's position was "it is possible to maintain dual seat constituencies by adjusting the boundaries to achieve relatively equal numbers and still allow the people adequate representation.

"There is also the possibility of multi-seat constituencies. The benefits and drawback of any system suggested would be discussed fully at a conference of a constitutional nature.'' UBP stakes out Constitutional ground Premier Jennifer Smith rather than a joint committee -- meant the UBP was restricted in its opposition to the terms of the Government motion.

"The only way we can have a voice because we have been blocked out by parliament is by going to the Governor, who will take it to the UK on our behalf,'' she said.

The UBP would also back a Freedom of Information Act to ensure every Government is kept accountable.

UBP Senator Mark Pettingill said the PLP's initial attempts to ratify changes by an Order in Council had "never ever been done''.

And Government's attempts to allow a Boundaries Commission to determine the number of MPs had not been done "anywhere in the free world''.

Despite the PLP's claims, all parties had had a full input in previous constitutional conferences.

And UBP research had found -- contrary to PLP claims -- that when constitutional amendments had been put before the House of Assembly without a conference, this had taken place because there were no objections from the Opposition parties.

The planned constitutional reforms left in place a provision for Premier Jennifer Smith to veto the recommendations of the Boundaries Commission, which was a "warning flag''.

Either Government did not know the Premier retained these sweeping powers -- which was sloppy -- or it did, which was "sinister''. Either way it was unacceptable.

Shadow Legislative Affairs Minister John Barritt said it was for the people of Bermuda to determine how many MPs they need to represent them.

A Boundaries Commission would have two PLP, two UBP and two independent members. He said the PLP must have a figure in mind for the the number of MPs, so he questioned why they were keeping it a secret.

Government announced it is holding a second public meeting tomorrow night at Penno's Wharf Cruise Ship Terminal in St. George's.

Mr. Barritt said the UBP could claim some credit for pressuring the Government into meeting the people.

Audience member Fred Phillips asked if the low turn-out of black people at last night's meeting meant they were "intimidated or did not care''.

Ms Gordon said many blacks felt that because the PLP had been elected they had the right to change anything, including the constitution.

Other black people were not comfortable with this but may have felt intimidated about coming to a UBP meeting.

Another audience member David Hughes said Bermuda had a constitutional order, not a constitution.

"I am not satisfied that this country in the year 2000 is talking about creeping and crawling to the UK saying `this is what we want and will you pass it?' It's insulting to people's intelligence,'' he said.

Pamela Gordon