backing of their UBP branch over the big burger bust-up.

The two MPs hammered out their position on the franchise row at a meeting of their Smith's South branch.

And last night they claimed the branch committee had thrown itself behind them.

"They stood four-square behind us,'' Mr. Woolridge told The Royal Gazette .

Said Mr. Moniz: "They absolutely supported us. My branch have always supported me on the franchise issue.'' It has emerged, however, the two MPs were rapped over their decision to vote with the Opposition Progressive Labour Party on a motion of censure against Premier David Saul.

Smith's South branch chairman David Tavares said: "We thought they went too far on this.'' Recently it was revealed two other rebel UBP MPs, Clarence Terceira and David Dyer, also had grassroots backing on the franchise controversy. And their Pembroke West branch planned to meet Premier David Saul to drive home their views.

The four rebels are part of the so-called "People's Five'', which also includes Government backbencher Ann Cartwright DeCouto.

They have protested Government's approval of the incorporation of Grape Bay Ltd. -- a company run by ex-Premier Sir John Swan and Government backbencher Maxwell Burgess which would operate a McDonald's restaurant in Bermuda.

The incorporation has triggered accusations Government ignored its own anti-franchise policy and a Bermuda Monetary Authority circular.

But this has been fiercely denied by Finance Minister Grant Gibbons.

Mrs. Cartwright DeCouto's Prohibited Restaurant Act 1996 -- which would curb the operation in Bermuda of restaurants associated with overseas ones -- could be discussed today in the House of Assembly.

Dr. Terceira has stated unity within the United Bermuda Party could be restored by allowing the bill to pass.

Last night Mr. Woolridge said his Smith's South branch had demonstrated support for him at its recent annual general meeting.

"I was there and I gave a full explanation of what my position is. Mr. Moniz also explained our collective position.'' He added: "I don't think it was hard for people to see what is right.'' Mr. Woolridge said the House of Assembly would be wasting its time by discussing a report today from Government's Committee on Franchise Policy.

The report recommended that foreign fast food franchises should be allowed in Bermuda -- but under strict controls.

Today's debate is a "take note'' motion only, which means no vote will be taken.

"I just don't understand why we are wasting taxpayers' time and money. We should be moving ahead and discussing the real issues,'' said Mr. Woolridge.

Mr. Woolridge, a former Tourism Minister, said he would not be interested in rejoining Cabinet, until the McDonald's issue had been sorted out.

Branch backing From Page 1 "None of the `People's Five' are interested in doing so. We haven't put any gun to the head of the Premier, but we feel this issue has brought the party into an untenable position.'' Mr. Woolridge said Dr. Saul had on a number of occasions made overtures to some members of the "People's Five'' about Ministerial posts.

"I was offered the Ministry of Immigration and Labour,'' he said.

Yesterday Mr. Tavares pointed out it was the outgoing branch committee which had backed Mr. Woolridge and Mr. Moniz at the annual general meeting.

The new committee -- made up of substantially the same members -- would be meeting on Tuesday to discuss the franchise controversy.

Mr. Tavares, who was reappointed chairman, said branch members would now have the benefit of the Committee on Franchise Police report.

And it would be wrong to speculate on whether the new committee would support the two MPs on the McDonald's issue.

Mr. Tavares added the outgoing committee had made it clear to Mr. Woolridge and Mr. Moniz that it did not support them for voting earlier this year with the Opposition in a successful motion of censure against Dr. Saul for his role in the burger war.

It was the first time a Premier had been censured by the House of Assembly.

Mr. Moniz, however, said last night: "I'm not certain people clearly understood what happened over the censure vote.

"Let us say they were concerned about the vote of censure, although I'm not sure they had enough information.'' Mr. Moniz also believed he had the new branch committee's support on the stance taken by the "People's Five'' on franchises.

"I think the new committee is made up of mainly the same people as the old one, so I don't see the difference.''