because it believes that the people have a right to a democratic say by vote.

This is, after all, a democracy and despite what the Opposition Leader says, there are many precedents, old and new, in democracies for deciding major issues with a referendum.

It is clear to those who are both pro and con Independence that the people of Bermuda were badly misled over Independence by the shallow Green Paper produced by a committee chaired by the Hon. John Irving Pearman. Mr. Pearman is one of those UBP MPs who is clearly in favour of Independence and therefore out of step with the majority of the UBP's supporters. Before we continue, it is fair to say that this newspaper is not in favour of Independence at this time.

No matter what your position on Independence, it would seem clear that there are some things Bermudians should not be asked to tolerate as they struggle with a monumental decision. High on that list must be decision making influenced by blackmail. Mr. Pearman and the four MPs he refused to name are clearly attempting to blackmail Bermuda by threatening to force a general election. The public is insulted by not being told who is doing the blackmailing -- and that is an indication of how much these five support democracy. Furthermore, they are desperately endangering their political party because they are threatening to force a General Election which they know their party might well lose.

We do understand their frustrations. Right now the democratic process leading to a referendum is challenged by people who are very much on the fringe. It may be that the resignation threat by the five is an attempt to place responsibility for the fall of the UBP firmly on the heads of the Hon. Ann Cartwright DeCouto and Mr. Trevor Moniz who are defying collective responsibility and may defy the whip. The hope appears to be that this threat will bring the two backbenchers into line. That overlooks the realities of Mr.

Moniz's penchant for trouble making, his lack of experience and his total dislike of Premier the Hon. Sir John Swan. It also overlooks that Mrs.

Cartwright DeCouto can be stubborn -- just ask the fishermen.

These five are playing a very dangerous game. We think that it has little to do with their respect for the democratic process of a referendum and much more to do with the fact that they support Independence and hope a referendum, influenced by a biased Green Paper, will go their way. It could also be an attempt from within to apply pressure to Sir John Swan.

In the meantime the UBP is proving once again that it is anything but united.

Those UBP members who support Independence are defying the UBP's general following and those moving stubbornly ahead with the new school programme are defying just about everyone.

As a result, the Country is bewildered. That is a poor time to be making major decisions.