Almost half the Bermudians polled in an independent survey want a referendum on constitutional change and a quarter want a constitutional conference, according to results released yesterday.

The poll taken in December also showed there was still strong backing for constitutional change, although the numbers undecided has increased since September.

The quarterly poll by Total Marketing and Communications found 46 percent want a referendum, 24 percent want a constitutional conference, 19 percent say the changes should be approved by a majority in parliament, and 11 percent don't know.

"Although support is evident, it is clear the public would like input in this issue,'' said Bermuda-based Total marketing and Communications and its Canadian Affiliate Corporate Research Associates in a statement.

Premier Jennifer Smith has ruled out a constitutional conference and given no indication that the recommendations of the Boundaries Commission will go to a referendum.

Government wants to set up a Boundaries Commission to redraw parliamentary constituencies to introduce single seats and to reduce the number of MPs from 40 to an unspecified number.

Opposition leader Pamela Gordon said the poll results -which reinforce findings of a survey by political scientist Walton Brown - showed Bermudians want an clear input on constitutional change.

And she claimed Premier Jennifer Smith was afraid to give the people a voice.

The poll found 36 percent generally support the change (down one percent from September), 21 percent strongly support (down one), 15 percent generally oppose (down 15), 13 percent strongly oppose (down four), and 16 percent have no opinion (up eight).

The UBP last month sent a 7,821 signature petition to the British Government -- which must ratify constitutional change -- calling for a constitutional conference and referendum.

Ms Gordon said: "There has been another poll as well by a different company with a similar outcome and the Government should be listening to the people.

"While there is the temptation to believe that, because they have a mandate to govern they can use that to affect the decisions of the people at large, that would be an unwise move.

"I am encouraged that we are on the right track when you consider those who want a constitutional conference and the large numbers who want a referendum.

"Added together, they come to 70 percent. Fifty four percent voted for the Government and Government should be prepared to address the issue of a referendum if they are to be true to their claim about being the people's Government.

Strong support for referendum "If they represent the broad views of the country, they should not be afraid to allow the people a voice in this matter.'' The poll was of 404 people as part of the quarterly Bermuda Omnibus survey, and is accurate to 4.9 percentage points in 95 out of 100 samples.

The survey found Bermudians are split along racial lines in their support or opposition for the changes.

Although both races agree that a referendum is the most appropriate process for deciding constitutional change, white residents (55 percent) feel more strongly than blacks (39 percent) that this is the right course of action.

Black residents are seven times more likely than whites (29 percent versus four percent) to believe a parliamentary majority is adequate to back the changes.

Voters under the age of 55, males and black residents are most vocal supporters of the changes.

And the plans receive strongest support in Sandys, Southampton, Hamilton, Smiths and St. George's.

The Royal Gazette sent written questions to the Premier at lunchtime yesterday, but Government Information Services said she had not seen them by the end of the day.

CHART What the people think: Almost half of the 404 people questioned -- 46 percent -- believe that a referendum on the Constitution should be held while a further 24 percent are calling for a constitutional conference to be organised. The survey is accurate to 4.9 percentage points.