Cabinet Ministers, says a former Government Minister.

The Hon. Ralph Marshall, who served as Transport Minister and in several other portfolios during his 30 years in the House of Assembly until his retirement in 1993, said: "This has happened before.'' "These things usually work themselves out.'' Premier the Hon. Sir John Swan has said he will step down as Premier unless Bermudians vote for Independence in next Tuesday's referendum.

Once the Premier resigns, his Cabinet is dissolved so that his successor can name a new Cabinet.

Since Sir John made his announcement last Monday, Deputy Premier the Hon.

Irving Pearman and Transport Minister the Hon. Maxwell Burgess have ruled themselves out as successors to Sir John and said they would move to the back benches for the remaining life of the Parliament, in the event of a "no'' vote.

Health Minister the Hon. Quinton Edness has made a similar pledge, though he has not ruled out succeeding Sir John as Premier.

Youth and Sport Minister the Hon. Pamela Gordon has ruled out a leadership bid and said she would not serve in a Government that was "right of centre''.

Mr. Marshall said a similar split developed in the UBP in the lead-up to the resignation of former Premier the Hon. Sir John Sharpe in 1977.

"I don't think there's been that much of an impact,'' from the promised resignations, Mr. Marshall said. "Life goes on.'' If there is a "no'' vote, a meeting to choose a new leader would likely be held on August 24, a UBP source told The Royal Gazette .

A special caucus meeting would be held on the day following the referendum, and one week's notice of the meeting to choose a new leader would be given at the regular caucus meeting on Thursday, August 17.

Only UBP MPs could vote in the meeting. Candidates must be sponsored by five MPs, and an MP may only sponsor one candidate.

Nomination Day would be August 21, three days before the meeting to elect the new leader. A special caucus meeting would be held before Election Day for candidates to make speeches and answer questions.