held on planned changes to the Constitution.

Mr. Moniz said the proposed changes -- redrawn constituencies and the number of MPs slashed from 40 to possibly 20 -- were so important that they would need to be put to a vote.

He told The Royal Gazette yesterday he believed there would be "overwhelming support'' among Bermudians for a referendum.

Premier Jennifer Smith said the changes will be discussed in the House of Assembly when it reconvenes in October, but the UBP say wider consultation is needed in a conference.

The British Government will insist there has been full consultation before approving any changes.

But because it stressed partnership with the dependent territories in the White Paper in 1999, it is unlikely to dictate to Government that a constitutional conference be held.

The constitutional changes will be top of the agenda in the UBP's caucus meeting today, and the party may consider campaigning for a referendum. Mr.

Moniz, the MP for Smith's South, has been banned from caucus meetings.

He told The Royal Gazette yesterday: "I am not against talking to the British Government, but Bermudians have the right to self-determination and it is a very simple process to do that in a referendum.

"The issues that seem to be being put forward in the paper are sufficiently new and simple that they could be dealt with in a referendum.'' Mr. Moniz said the changes would need to be backed by two thirds of those voting and a minimum of 40 percent of the electorate would need to take part.

"Pam (Gordon) is saying we should have a Constitutional conference. The Premier is saying a Boundary Commission should decide, but that's totally wrong.

"That's only about fine tuning and you don't leave major constitutional change to a Boundaries Commission. That's bizarre and astonishing.

"The Premier has said it is going to enhance democracy by reducing Parliamentary representation. That's reprehensible and it is double speak at its peak. How can you enhance democracy by reducing representation? "The White Paper said Britain is not going to dictate to the dependent territories about their future, therefore the referendum is the way to go.'' Former UBP Sports Minister David Dyer is backing Mr. Moniz's demands.

Dr. Dyer said: "If the Government is not willing to have a referendum, London might not be convinced there has been the full and frank discussion they have asked for before they go to an Order in Council to change the constitution.

"They would ask for some process to determine the opinion of the population and Government may find they have to go the long way round and have a referendum in the end.''