at a packed public meeting on constitutional reform at Government House last night.

A number of speakers in the overflow crowd, which was dominated by United Bermuda Party supporters, made the allegation, but Government backers dismissed this as scaremongering.

At the end of the meeting, Foreign and Commonwealth Office deputy legal counsel Ian Hendry said he could not understand Bermudians claiming they were unsure of Government's plans, which were clearly set out.

He said there was agreement on the principle of reform, but the key issue, he believed, was the number of MPs who will be left and consequences of this for Parliament and the number of Cabinet Ministers.

And Governor Thorold Masefield said he was disappointed that many Bermudians were claiming the process was not transparent, saying they would have no public input if there was a constitutional conference.

The mood of the meeting was overwhelmingly hostile to Ms Smith's Government, with claims that it was arrogant, out of touch with people, afraid of a referendum, and fostering xenophobia and fear.

Ruth Paynter, who described herself as a long-time PLP supporter, received a standing ovation when she said: "It's not only UBP supporters who think these proposals are a farce, ludicrous and cackhanded.

"I would not have known about this other than through the media yesterday. I am anxious that the Members of Parliament are not reduced.

"The only reason for the proposal is to enable the Premier to consolidate her position because having lost support of her Parliamentary colleagues, she wishes to get rid of the people.

"The Members of Parliament who were elected by the people are afraid of incurring the anger of the leaders of the PLP to speak their mind and support all the people who elected them.'' Joan Lindo said: "All Bermudians from the grassroots up should have a say and be able to vote in a referendum''.

The full debate: Page 12 PLP accused of dictatorship Saying a Boundaries Commission made up of politicians to determine the number of seats would not work, she won heavy applause when she said: "We're too small an Island and we're all too close and we will become a dictatorship.'' But Government Sen. Calvin Smith hit back angrily at suggestions the PLP would allow a dicatatorship.

"We never became a dictatorship under slavery and the other things that were done to black people and we never rose up and killed people, through all those times we went through the democratic process.

"In November, 1998, after that magnificent change, the next day the streets were clean, there were no riots.

"We are dealing with people who respect law and order, who have spent their entire time defending law and order and I angrily object to the suggestion that we would sit back and let this country become a dictatorship.'' But Dr. Yvette Swan suggested he "look up the definition of dictatorship.

When in one meeting as I've been to I'm insulted by our so-called Premier and I've been embarrassed for her because of her actions.

"When you get `You do as I say or at your peril' that's not democratic. We must have a referendum, that's the only way to go.

"A lot of people are fearful that something will happen to them if they speak out but that's not the way I was brought up and I would never be like that.

The people must speak, we must listen to the people.

"If we are not going to speak to our people, regardless of who they are, their financial status, their creed or race, like equals, including political affiliation, this country is dead.'' She urged the FCO officials to listen to UBP leader Pamela Gordon who she said was keeping people informed and standing up for common Bermudians.

PLP supporter Adib Abdul-Jabbar claimed "people are afraid of the unknown and changes. The present Government has been clear all along in what it intended to do.

"To say it operates in secrecy is totally unreasonable. The former Government is trying to protect a tradition, but we have come further with plans and ideas that are not according to the norm of most of these people. Don't be afraid, let's work together.'' Deputy Governor Tim Gurney said more than 20 people made oral presentations to the FCO team yesterday and there had been more than 40 written submissions.

Among those were former UBP Cabinet ministers Ann Cartwright DeCouto, Quinton Edness, John Plowman, former UBP MP William Cox, UBP MP Trevor Moniz, former deputy Governor Peter Lloyd, retired physician Dr Eugene Harvey, and historians Joyce Hall and William S. Zuill.

Mr. Gurney said: "The meetings were very constructive, very helpful, with good atmospherics. People had a chance to say what they had to say and they were listened to.'' Government and the Opposition will spend today making detailed submissions to the FCO team.