MPs clashed yesterday over plans to mark the breaking of the chains of black Bermudians.

Opposition MPs accused Government of diluting Cup Match by renaming the first day of the two-day holiday Emancipation Day to commemorate the end of slavery.

The move passed last night.

Telecommunications Minister Renee Webb said changing the Thursday holiday from Cup Match Day to Emancipation Day did not mean an end to Cup Match.

And she said Somers Day -- which falls on the Friday and marks the claiming of the Island by English Admiral George Somers -- would remain as it was.

Ms Webb told MPs: "It's important to emphasise that there will be two days -- Emancipation Day and Somers Day, and they will be known collectively as Cup Match.

Opposition MPs, however, pointed out that Public Holidays Amendment Act failed to mention the retention of the Cup Match name.

And United Bermuda Party Legislative Affairs spokesman John Barritt tabled an amendment inserting the phrase "Emancipation Day and Somers Day shall together also be known as the Cup Match holiday.'' But the amendment was voted down 17-12 -- and Mr. Barritt later said he was "flabbergasted'' as to why there was no explanation for the rejection.

During the debate, Ms Webb said: "What we're doing is recognising both important days in our history -- the two days collectively will be known as Cup Match.'' Mr. Barritt added: "There can be no doubt that Emancipation Day, Cup Match, and Somers are inextricably intertwined.

"It would be a denial of our history to try and say otherwise. They have, over the years for various reasons, become three milestones in our history which have become inextricably linked.

"I'm going to appeal to Government not to separate them out, no matter how laudable the motives might be.'' And he said: "We can go on celebrating these things -- what's in a name isn't perhaps so important as how we recognise a day.'' Mr. Barritt added: "I heard the honourable Minister say they would still be known as the Cup Match holiday.

"I've got to tell you that you've got to put your legislation where your mouth is.

"I'd like to see everything bound into one, rather than separate these things out, which is the risk we run here -- let's have them together.'' And he said: "The amendment creates the umbrella under which we can include the threads.

"Everybody who holds Cup Match dear will be happy and everything it's come to represent will be intact.'' Earlier, Shadow Works and Engineering Minister and cricket commentator C.V. (Jim) Woolridge pointed out that the bill made no mention of retaining Cup Match.

MPs dispute renaming of Cup Match Day And he said people "couldn't believe'' Premier Jennifer Smith would tamper with the unique holiday.

He added there were "pressing social issues'' which the House could be dealing with instead.

Mr. Woolridge said: "They come here and try to destroy one of the few things which is totally Bermudian.'' He added: "We've recognised these days all along -- we've recognised Somers Day and we have recognised Emancipation Day, even though it was late coming, something happens at King's Square in St. George's.'' And he branded the bill "a waste of time''.

But PLP backbencher Wayne Perinchief said Cup Match was originally a black celebration of the August 1, 1834, UK Act of Parliament which freed the slaves.

And he said: "The mere celebration of the event has now superceded the event.

This Government wants to bring some perspective to the issue.

"Emancipation is the most important thing. The talk shows have it wrong, the people have it wrong. We're putting meaning into what they do.

"The PLP is making an affirmation of the freeing of a people who now make up 60 percent of the population of this country. We need to make no apology for it.'' Former cricketing star and Cup Match veteran Randy Horton said he and his ancestors had been "intimately involved'' with Cup Match since its first days at the turn of the century when Oddfellows started annual matches.

He said: "We do not celebrate enough in this country of who we are, particularly the things which have happened in the black community.'' And he added that the history of institutions which "helped people come through a terrible period'' should also be marked.'' Mr. Horton said that many Africans -- ancestors of much of Bermuda's population today -- lost their lives on slave transports, as well as their families when they were "shipped off to the West Indies or the southern states'' after being freed by Britain.

And he added: "We would not be sitting here in this honourable House and this wonderful land of Bermuda had it not been for the fact that we have some very strong and courageous people way back when we had the emancipation of the slaves.'' Opposition Leader Pamela Gordon asked why Government weren't calling for August 1 to be named as Emancipation Day. She pointed out that Emancipation was already marked by ceremonies and services in St. George's.

She said: "Nobody dismisses Emancipation Day -- it needs to be recognised and celebrated but this doesn't go far enough. You'll just have the first day of Cup Match being called Emancipation Day. People will just go to the beach or to the game.'' Report on Emancipation Day debate continues in Monday's paper