Organisers of an anti-Ewart Brown group believe fear of intimidation is the reason for a drop in public support.

Janice Battersbee of The Bermudians said although a series of anti-Government leadership demonstrations had drawn large crowds this summer, organisers were "disappointed" at the current lack of visible support.

While she admitted Island residents "burn hot for a while and then go cold", Mrs. Battersbee said the majority of The Bermudians' backing was now silent as people were scared to make their faces known.

"I think it's fear of intimidation. We are so prosperous in Bermuda and we are afraid to lose that by making a stand," she said.

Despite numerous "e-mails, phone calls and being stopped in the street", Mrs. Battersbee said more public backing was needed to effect change.

"There's a general feeling in Bermuda that change needs to occur, that people are not happy with the style of Government leadership or even its principles," she said.

"It's a great many people, but they're not willing to, or feel afraid to, show their actual support. If they did it would make a huge difference in Bermuda.

"People say it's because of their job and their position, that they are not able to make themselves seen. But significant change never comes without self-sacrifice."

Mrs. Battersbee, a PLP supporter, said: "It's just sad that in 2009, under a labour government, there are many who have stopped us in the street to express their support, however, out of fear of losing their livelihood, they will not make that support a public fact.

"This is something that I grew up hearing about with the UBP Government. You would have thought that things would have changed with a grassroots government."

The Bermudians was formed this summer to protest the current Government leadership under Dr. Brown. According to organisers it sprang out of dissatisfaction at a lack of transparency and accusations of dictatorial-style leadership, particularly following Dr. Brown's resettlement of the four Uighurs without consultation.

Hundreds attended a series of protest rallies in June, with numbers peaking at 1,500 at one event.

At a recent rally entitled 'Picnic for Change' however last month, just over 100 people turned up.

Mrs. Battersbee said in light of the poor attendance, The Bermudians would now explore a new strategy going forward.

"The Bermudians have regrouped and refocused," she said.

"Having looked over the numbers in attendance at the Picnic for Change, we note that those who really could make a difference in the way business is conducted in our Island, for one reason or another, chose not to show their support by their physical presence. It was disappointing."

The group will nevertheless continue to campaign for "good governance in the way of transparency, democratic leadership, Government accountability, and unity and respect, no matter who may be in Government".

The six committee members however, need a more "visible presence" from their supporters. They will decide on their next course of action following the results of the PLP Annual Delegates Conference next week.

Mrs. Battersbee said: "Our mandate as a group is to continue to demand the highest standards of transparency and accountability from our Government, whomever they may be, and with the support of the general public at large, we believe that that can truly happen.

"And if our Government is not meeting those standards, then we as a people must express our dissatisfaction without fear of intimidation or reprisal."

She said Bermudians of all political persuasions had expressed dissatisfaction with the Premier's style of leadership.

"There are many former UBP voters who have expressed that they would gladly support the current Government if they had a leader that they could trust so we have found the sentiment to be the same on either side of the table," she said.

"In the end, it's the people who will decide, for us and our children, the fate of our Island home.

"Those that say they want better governance in the way of transparency and accountability, respect for our laws and Constitution must make this known to their MPs and hopefully that message will get back to the PLP delegates.

"We want a party and a leader whose decisions reflect the best interests of the country over self or party.

"It may be that the general public is actually happy with the way things are and if so, their decisions, or lack thereof, will affect us all in the future."