said yesterday.

Mr. Wade said he thinks today's hurricane will help the Progressive Labour Party's "abstain campaign'', intended to keep voters away from the polls.

"I think people who are already disgusted anyway will say this is the final straw,'' Mr. Wade said.

Since the referendum cannot be postponed without recalling Parliament, Premier the Hon. Sir John Swan said today's vote on whether Bermuda should go Independent will proceed.

But under the Parliamentary Election Act, returning officers at each polling station can put the vote off until Wednesday morning, if the storm is causing too much havoc.

With all flights into Bermuda cancelled yesterday and likely again today, it was not known how many Bermudians who intended to be on the Island to vote today were stranded abroad.

Mr. Wade, who cancelled a PLP rally scheduled for Devonshire Recreation Centre last night, said the Premier's threat to resign in the event of a "no'' vote had already muddied the result.

"It's no longer about Independence -- it's about him,'' he said.

Deputy Opposition Leader Ms Jennifer Smith denied she is supporting a petition being circulated urging the PLP leadership to change its position and call for a "yes'' vote in the referendum.

"I am unequivocally in support of the party's position to abstain in the referendum,'' she said.

Lawyer Mr. Philip Perinchief, who favours a "yes'' vote on Independence and has split with the PLP over its boycott call, suggested otherwise in a media interview, she said.

Mr. Perinchief said the petition was being organised by PLP supporter Mr. Ron Lightbourne, she said.