United Bermuda Party MPs who want a name change and a culling of the old guard believe they are winning the battle.

After the party slumped to its third straight defeat in December around half a dozen MPs had pushed for radical change but they failed to persuade enough colleagues to make that leap.

But several sources believe the reform group now has the majority of the party's 14-strong caucus although claims that there were now ten reformers recieved a sharp denial from John Barritt who declared it "absolute rubbish".

He added: "One swallow does not a summer make."

Mr. Barritt denied being in either faction and revealed he had offered his resignation as party whip because he felt "on his own" although he will remain as an MP.

He added: "We are still sorting through things."

Asked how long it would take he said: "How long is a piece of string?"

But reformist members believe the mood is swinging in their direction and claim the shift, after intense discussions, could be enough to stop former leader Wayne Furbert from carrying out his threat to resign by November if the party did not make real change.

A June poll showed the party still trailing the ruling Progressive Labour Party despite only three in ten voters having a favourable impression of Premier Ewart Brown.

Mr. Furbert refused to comment on his future yesterday, but a colleague, speaking on conditions of anonymity, said: "I can't speak for him but he's expressed delight that we are making progress.

"Hopefully that progress is enough for him to see it through."

However the MP said he did not believe that the party will have decided anything concrete by the time Parliament reconvenes in November. But he said real progress was being made.

"I cannot say how many, but more MPs are coming around to the fact that some fundamental changes need to take place.

"We need some personnel changes so we can get some new people into the room and we need to look at changing the name and basically create a new party."

The new entity would release a vision statement and create a new structure, said the source.

"Hopefully, if people share those values they will join and move forward. But I don't think anything can happen before November, it will take some time."

The reformers hope remaining loyalists can be persuaded to go along with the transformation and avoid a formal split.

However it's thought those wanting to stick with the status quo include leader Kim Swan, former leader Grant Gibbons, Louise Jackson and Bob Richards.

It's understood radicals in the reform group are keen to see Dr. Gibbons, Mrs Jackson and Mr. Richards stand down as MPs to let in fresh blood.

Deputy leader Cole Simons, who received dismal poll ratings in June, is also said to be on the critical list.

The source said: "We do need to look at succession planning. I don't think anyone needs to be sacrificed.Those people have just won seats. They have constituents they are obliged to serve.

"But if we can get buy-in for succession planning where people feel it's time to move on then we can bring people in for a more orderly, progressive changing of the guard.

"At the end of the day there may be some disquiet. But for the good of the country we need to preserve a strong Opposition."

Another MP also said the numbers of MPs wanting to break with the status quo was swelling.

He said: "More now see the need for reform."

Further talks are due to take place early next Saturday.

Former party chairman Shawn Crockwell said: "People may think it's taking a long time but we are trying to sort out what is in the best interests of the Opposition and the best interests of the Country."

United Bermuda Party leader Kim Swan could not be reached for comment.