People would have the power to force binding referendums under a United Bermuda Party Government.

That was one of the main proposals outlined at a UBP meeting in Hamilton on good governance.

UBP Leader Wayne Furbert and Deputy Leader John Barritt told the audience that under the so-called Citizen's Initiative, registered voters could sign a petition demanding a referendum on particular issues.

If it was signed by 25 percent of registered voters the Government would be forced to hold the referendum within a year.

The result would be binding on the Government of the day, though whether it would still be binding if there were a change in the governing party is still a matter for consideration.

Mr. Furbert and Mr. Barritt outlined a series of examples where they said good governance had gone wrong including the Bermuda Housing Corporation scandal, mismanagement of the Berkeley project, the tendering of the Coco Reef lease, and the UBP's own errors in handling the Civil Air Terminal Capital Project in the 1980s.

They then outlined changes the UBP would make ? such as fiscal integrity, including making the Public Accounts Committee open to the public and the press.

Other changes included 'whistleblower's' legislation to protect civil servants, a Freedom of Information Act which would be legislated as a matter of priority, legislation regulating Integrity in Public Office, a Code of Conduct for elected officials and fixed-term elections.

The Bermudian electorate must use the power given to it within the Bermudian political system, In 1998, Mr. Furbert said, Bermudians held the UBP accountable in the most powerful way.

"We were around for 30 years. We were supposed to be the unmoveable party," he said. "In 1998, you took me out. That was great. That was a wake-up call for us. You sent a message to us.

"Now send a message to them. and don't ever let them make you vote on the colour of your skin."

About 50 people turned up for Friday's meeting and they said they were highly impressed with what they had heard.

The UBP's next public meeting will discuss new UBP initiatives on education, Mr. Furbert promised.