Threats by Cabinet Ministers to move to the back bench should be forgotten as the United Bermuda Party moves forward under a new leader, says the Hon. David Saul, expected to be sworn in today as Bermuda's fifth Premier.

But Government backbencher Mr. Trevor Moniz says the new Premier will lose credibility unless Premier the Hon. Sir John Swan, Deputy Premier the Hon.

Irving Pearman, Health and Social Services Minister the Hon. Quinton Edness, and Transport Minister the Hon. Maxwell Burgess are kept out of Cabinet.

During the run-up to the August 16 Independence referendum, all four men said they would move to the back bench for the remaining life of the current Parliament unless Bermudians said `yes' to Independence.

The plebiscite resulted in a 74 percent `no' vote.

"I would take them at their word,'' Mr. Moniz told The Royal Gazette yesterday. "They put their integrity on the line.

"If they went into Cabinet, not only would they lose their credibility, but the Premier and ultimately the UBP would lose credibility, without some extraordinary explanation.'' Mr. Moniz said he could not imagine what that explanation could be. With a 13-7 edge in support expressed by the 21 MPs who can vote, Dr. Saul is today expected to be elected party leader over Tourism Minister the Hon. C.V. (Jim) Woolridge at a 9.30 a.m. caucus meeting. He would then drive to Government House and be sworn in as Premier.

Dr. Saul promised a Cabinet shake-up. But other than saying he would give up his Finance Ministry portfolio and invite Mr. Woolridge into Cabinet, he would not comment on who would or would not be appointed.

But as the party united under him, Dr. Saul said he was sure anyone asked to serve in Cabinet would "come aboard.'' Yesterday, Mr. Edness said it would be wrong for him to comment on whether he would serve in Cabinet unless or until Dr. Saul asked him.

"As of now I don't have to take anything back, and I don't want to speculate,'' Mr. Edness said.

Mr. Burgess could not be reached for comment. Nor could Mr. Pearman, who is off the Island and will cast his vote today by facsimile machine.

As well as shaking up Cabinet, Dr. Saul as Premier is expected to move to quell criticism of a "presidential style'' critics say was exhibited by Sir John.

"First among equals -- it's not just a book, it's a pledge I would take,'' Dr. Saul said. "I would not be way out in front.'' As an example of changes that could be expected, one source said Dr. Saul would put the Premier's BMW with licence plate GP1 in a garage, to be used only for ceremonial occasions.

Yesterday's caucus showdown between Dr. Saul and Mr. Woolridge was without rancour, MPs said.

Sen. Gary Pitman, who has been chairing the meetings, said he was "cautiously optimistic'' the party could unite under whomever was chosen. "There's still work to be done,'' he said.

Like Dr. Saul, Mr. Woolridge promised to give up his Tourism portfolio if chosen Premier and to invite Dr. Saul into Cabinet.

In a meeting that lasted more than three hours, the two leadership contenders delivered speeches and answered MPs' questions.

In the highly-charged atmosphere following the referendum which split the party, "I'm surprised it wasn't a bloodbath,'' one MP said.

As a first step toward clearing the air, a luncheon has been organised at a local restaurant for Government MPs, immediately following the swearing-in today, a caucus source said.

The Hon. Harry Soares -- the only MP associated with neither leadership camp -- said yesterday's caucus session helped him decide how to vote today.

"I'm pretty sure who I'm going to support, but I wouldn't disclose that, especially not before I told the candidates,'' Mr. Soares said. "They should know first.'' Both the speeches and question period were excellent, and "I didn't feel any personal animosity between them,'' Mr. Soares said. "Obviously, they're in competition for votes right now, but I didn't feel anything untoward.'' Aside from Mr. Soares, Dr. Saul is believed to have the support of all Government MPs except Mr. John Barritt, the Hon. Ann Cartwright DeCouto, Dr.

David Dyer, Mr. Moniz, Mr. Rick Spurling, the Hon. Clarence Terceira, and Mr.

Woolridge.

As he fights an uphill battle, Mr. Woolridge has met individually in recent days with several MPs, including Mr. Soares, Mr. Tim Smith, the Hon. Jerome Dill, and Mr. David Dodwell.

Mr. Dodwell said he met on Wednesday night with Mr. Woolridge but came away feeling Dr. Saul was the better man to manage the Country.

He described as "despicable'' a VSB News report that he met with Mr.

Woolridge to offer his vote in return for a Cabinet seat. In fact, he insisted there be no such talk, and had promised to leave the room if discussion of a Cabinet post was raised. "I'm not that type of guy,'' he said.