United Bermuda Party leader Kim Swan failed in a bid to put the Municipalities Reform Act back by six months.

Mr. Swan proposed an amendment to the legislation on Friday which would have delayed the bill so he could have more time to properly research and discuss the issue.

"You're coming here at two minutes before 12," said Mr. Swan.

"Seven days is not long enough. It's good enough for God to create the heavens and the earth, but it's not good enough for us.

"We can make good use out of six months, the same way we made good use of one month on gaming."

After being handed a copy of the proposed amendment, Premier Ewart Brown smiled and tore the paper in half, eliciting laughter from his side of the chamber.

During a speech later that evening, Dr. Brown said: "We've been talking about this since 2008. Somehow, two years is not enough time for the public to get a general idea what this is about.

"If you are taking away powers from any authority, they will always declare unreadiness."

Dr. Brown, along with the other Government MPs present, voted against Mr. Swan's proposal and it went down 13 votes to 11.

Both Opposition parties voted in favour of the amendment, while independent MP Darius Tucker abstained.