Rank and file United Bermuda Party members have rejected the opportunity to directly elect their party leader.

A committee looking at the entire constitution of the party proposed allowing members to vote for the leader.

But the party's Central Council -- featuring UBP MPs, Senators and representatives of the 20 branches -- has opted to leave it to MPs alone to elect the leader.

However, all other aspects of the constitution of the party will be up for reform when the Central Council has a special meeting in February.

The party's constitution will have to be completely re-written because many of its committees are supposed to include a Cabinet Minister. This is impossible as the party is now in Opposition.

UBP leader Pamela Gordon said: "The entire constitution is up for grabs. The membership, the annual conference, the selection of parliamentary candidates.'' She said there was a suggestion from the constitutional reform committee that party members -- or their delegates -- directly elect the leader.

"But the Central Committee said that we don't want the responsibility for the selection of the leader.

"They wanted, if the leader was not up to expectations, to have the ability to remove the leader. As it is now, the majority of the Central Council can put a motion (to remove) the leader, and that will not change.'' Ms Gordon explained that the UBP's constitution shadows that of Bermuda's Constitution.

The Governor must select as Premier the MP who commands the support of the majority of MPs in the House of Assembly.

Because the Progressive Labour Party allows delegates as well as MPs and Senators to select the party leader, it is possible the Premier could have the support of the majority of her party, but not the majority of her MPs.

A number of informed PLP sources have indicated that Premier Jennifer Smith does not command the support of the majority of her MPs and that it was only the backing of branch delegates which kept her in power when she was challenged for party leadership this year by former Environment Minister Arthur Hodgson.

The UBP has welcomed the appointments of Jonathan Smith and George Jackson to the two top posts in the Bermuda Police Service.

Shadow Home Affairs Minister Michael Dunkley said: "We support the appointments.

"We are pleased the Governor made the decision and we can now start the process of getting on top of the issues of drugs and road rage.''