The people of Bermuda were last night urged to take to the streets and make their voices heard if they had concerns over the way changes to the Constitution were being made.

At a packed and public meeting organised by the United Bermuda Party, Opposition Leader Pamela Gordon said the Premier's plans to alter the Constitution would be agreed by Government in the UK unless there was "demonstrable concern''.

She said the odd letter of complaint sent to Premier Jennifer Smith or to newspapers, along with half-hearted petitions, were not enough to demonstrate that Government needed wider consultation with the community on the issue.

She said everyone concerned about the process, not the actual planned changes, should put their feelings in writing straight away.

And as a result, many members of the 400-strong crowd, including supporters and members of the Progressive Labour Party, urged worried residents to take their concern to the streets in an organised march.

Some even said they would lobby the House of Assembly today. Ms Gordon said: "If you think this is an issue that is so significant, then you must be bothered enough to really be involved. This is not a black issue -- this is not a white issue. You have a right to participate.'' She said the UBP agreed that the Constitution needed to be modernised, but said there should be a Constitutional conference and maybe even a referendum that ensured the community was heard and fully informed.

But she said part of the problem so far was that nobody seemed to know what changes would be made because the PLP had failed to tell anyone.

Editorial: Page 4 Take to streets, residents told The Premier tabled a report detailing changes she proposed to make to the Constitution at the last session of the House of Assembly on August 18.

Included in it were plans to re-shape the constituency boundaries, resulting in one man, one vote and a reduction in the number of MPs, and the creation of an ombudsman's role.

However, panellist UBP MP John Barritt said greatly reducing the number of MPs would give the Premier more power.

And he said although the UBP was in favour of an Ombudsman, his duties and responsibilities should be outlined in the Constitution so he would not be following orders from which ever Government was in power.

PLP supporter Carlton Esdaille said anyone concerned should do what the black community did for years, and take their fight to the streets in the form of a march. He said: "Don't sit down and be passive. March down Front Street because that's the only way we got the changes that we have in Bermuda. Get off your behinds if you really want change -- and I will even join you.'' Former UBP Cabinet Minister Quinton Edness suggested people write to the newspapers in Bermuda and in the UK to ensure that their concerns were heard by the British Government.