Proposals to change the number of single seat constituencies recommended by the Boundaries Commission will not be supported by the Progressive Labour Party (PLP) despite a call from its own MP for the number to be an uneven one.

Backbencher Wayne Perinchief said before the report was released that he would push for a change in the number of seats to an odd number when it came up for debate next month.

Mr. Perinchief argued that an uneven number would prevent electoral deadlock and said he would prefer reducing the number (36) by one.

"It sounds like Wayne Perinchief has his own agenda," said PLP chairman Neville Tyrell. "I really don't know. I have not spoken to Wayne Perinchief about the boundaries report at all."

Sir Frank Blackman shed some light on why the Commission did not yield to arguments that the number of constituencies be an uneven one, when contacted earlier this week.

He pointed out that Bermuda had three political parties not two so an uneven number could lead to electoral deadlock.

"If you have say 39 you have three political parties in Bermuda so you could get an even number again. I can tell you that I did hear that on the table."

The Opposition United Bermuda Party (UBP) was more concerned, in the end, with its proposal of an independently appointed Speaker selected from outside the House than the possibility of electoral deadlock which already exists under the current system.

With an even number of seats no one would want to be Speaker because it would put his party in Opposition.

An odd number of MPs would eliminate the problem of electoral deadlock, UBP MP John Barritt told a public meeting this week, but once a Speaker from among the MPs is chosen, the possibility of deadlock in the legislative chamber becomes a constant threat.

Asked his overall impressions of the process, Sir Frank said: "It was tiring but in the end it was satisfactory because I am quite satisfied that all five others were prepared to do their best for the Country."