The United Bermuda Party says Kim Swan will speak “when he is ready” as he maintained his silence on the merger likely to end his spell as Opposition leader.When The Royal Gazette visited his St George’s West constituency yesterday, many residents said Mr Swan should step aside if it means the UBP and Bermuda Democratic Alliance can form a stronger combined Opposition.Most backed his efforts as a local MP, with some complaining he has been badly treated as his party colleagues have taken part in talks in his absence for weeks.Mr Swan has repeatedly refused to respond to questions on his future, and that of his party, while negotiations continue, with insiders deeming a deal increasingly unlikely before next Friday’s Budget.UBP chairwoman, Senator Jeanne Atherden said yesterday: “For the sake of clarity I repeat that the United Bermuda Party is engaged in critical talks and party leader Kim Swan is allowing me, Senator Jeanne Atherden, party chairman, to carry the party’s message on this issue.“We are of one voice and remaining disciplined during an extremely sensitive period. Party leader Mr Swan will comment when he is ready and I have no further comment to make at this time.”Constituent Chris Pitcher, 39, told this newspaper yesterday: “Kim is a nice fellow, but if they take the best of both parties, the young people of the BDA and the experience of the UBP, the two of them together could be the best thing.“It’s not looking promising for Kim still being the leader. It might seem a bit rude that he hasn’t been in the talks, but politics is a bit rude.“As a politician, you have to stand on your merits. If he gets put forward as an MP by the new group, most people will still vote for him.”One 62-year-old man, describing himself as a friend of Mr Swan, said: “A merger isn’t going to help because combined the two parties aren’t strong enough.“We will go right back to where we were before the split, maybe even worse because from what I understand some of the people are split now.“Kim is a popular person but, as a politician, I don’t know how popular. I think it’s ridiculous that he’s been left out of talks.“I tried to ask him why he isn’t saying anything and he didn’t answer.”One woman described Mr Swan as very personable and said he would likely get votes if he quits party politics and stands as an Independent.Another said she liked Mr Swan but thought it best for Bermuda if he stands aside to allow a merger to happen.Some residents pointed to Mr Swan’s previous remarks that MPs should resign and force by-elections if they quit the party they represented at election time. They asked whether he would do the same before joining the new party.Progressive Labour Party supporting resident Jerald Trott, 43, said he was against a merger, saying: “How are they supposed to win the trust of the voting public?“They were together, they split up, the BDA said they were offering something different and new. But if they are offering something different and new, why would they merge with the UBP, which everyone knows is a dinosaur?“I’m not saying the PLP is all that, but better the devil you know.”Mr Trott had no sympathy for Mr Swan, saying he was “like the average politician” who makes “grandiose political statements” to no effect.Yesterday’s Royal Gazette reported one source saying much of the negotiating was over trivial matters.Sources in the BDA camp yesterday argued their party is struggling to get agreement from the UBP over major changes to the way it has traditionally done business.“The UBP needs to accept that the BDA’s movement of change has the credibility to drive the change in the new party not UBP old guard and old UBP ways,” said one source.