Their hopes rest on winning support from Independent Senators Norma Astwood and the Hon. Albert Jackson.

But the battle will probably take place on Friday -- not today as first thought.

Last night Government Senate leader the Hon. Gerald Simons said other legislation would probably take priority today.

The threat of a hold-up to the referendum legislation follows a proposed amendment by Independent Senator Alf Oughton.

On Monday, Sen. Oughton planned to add a key clause to the Independence Referendum Act.

This stated: "The result of the referendum shall be determined by a vote of the majority of persons entitled to vote in the referendum.'' Sen. Oughton said the aim was to ensure any move towards -- or against -- Independence reflected the wishes of more than 50 percent of people on the electoral roll.

He was afraid of a small turn-out at a referendum, saying it would be wrong for a few people to make such a critical decision.

But Government Senators said the wording of the proposed amendment was "unclear'' and "ambiguous''.

It was agreed to adjourn debate on the Act until Sen. Oughton had sought legal advice.

Earlier, however, Opposition Senators backed what Sen. Oughton was trying to achieve.

They argued Britain would never accept a decision by a minority of Bermudians to go Independent.

Sen. Jackson, the Senate President, appeared to side with the Progressive Labour Party.

He expressed surprise at the "vigour'' with which Government fought Sen.

Oughton's proposal.

Sen. Astwood has yet to speak on the proposed change.

If she and Sen. Jackson joined forces with the PLP and Sen. Oughton, they would defeat Government by six votes to five.

The Act would then be sent back to the House of Assembly, which reconvenes on May 6.

Yesterday ex-Government Senate leader Sen. Michael Winfield accused the PLP of "political prostitution''.

He said their support for Sen. Oughton contradicted their call for Independence to be decided through a general election.

The planned amendment demanded a different proportion of the vote than an election, he added.

Sen. Winfield believed Government could still win Sen. Jackson round.

"I think he wants more information about our arguments against the amendment.'' Sen. Astwood last night declined to say which way she would vote.

PLP leader Mr. Frederick Wade described Monday's Senate debate as a "Shakespearean comedy''.

"It made a mockery of the democratic process.'' Mr. Wade criticised Government Senators for helping to rescind an earlier Sen.

Oughton motion.

This had called for debate on the Referendum Act to be adjourned until the House of Assembly first discussed Mr. Wade's motion on a Commission of Inquiry.