United Bermuda Party members predict a merger with the Bermuda Democratic Alliance is imminent after growing tired of prolonged negotiations.Members previously opposed to the amalgamation are said to have conceded the 47-year-old party needs to fold if anyone is to seriously challenge the Progressive Labour Party at the next general election.They are said to have aired their views at a lively meeting last week and are now expecting an announcement before the end of this month.They also claimed BDA leader Craig Cannonier appeared to lay the foundation for a merger in a letter to party members.Mr Cannonier wrote in part: “We believe that there are some common ideals between the two parties and that our Country deserves not just a strong Opposition but a real alternative to the PLP Government.”BDA chairman Michael Fahy last night argued Mr Cannonier was merely reiterating his stance on how Bermuda can move forward, which he has been pushing for since the Alliance formed last year.Talks between the two parties started before Christmas, but were largely on the backburner during the Budget.One UBP member told The Royal Gazette yesterday: “They are saying they’ve agreed on a lot of issues now and more and more people are buying into it.“Our people and their people have been going back and forth and back and forth. There are some of our people that were totally against it before, now they are saying it needs to be done otherwise it will be too easy for the PLP, so we should go ahead and do it.”One major stumbling block has been many UBP members’ reluctance to allow the demise of the party which ruled for 30 years until 1998.But sources yesterday said some appeared to be coming to the conclusion the UBP in its current form could not win another election, and needs to make way for a new organisation.The BDA has also been calling for the new group to be distanced from the legacy of the UBP, with many Alliance members with no UBP previous connections strongly opposed to the merger.Mr Cannonier said in a letter to members: “We agree that our Country is headed in the wrong direction and that is why we are working every day to change that course.“We are very excited and motivated about the future. I believe strongly that with a unified force speaking truth to power we can be the change agent this Country is crying for.“To that end, many of you have asked about the speculation in the press about the BDA. Your chairman and I have had discussions with the official Opposition, which have consisted of sharing and thinking of ways to make this Island better.“We believe that there are some common ideals between the two parties and that our Country deserves not just a strong Opposition but a real alternative to the PLP Government.“Our discussions have been frank and protracted and we have not always agreed. However we have to ask ourselves what is the best way to serve our beloved people?“No matter what we do going forward, if we hold true to our beliefs and values of the BDA then real change can happen. Change is not easy nor palatable at times, however, it is necessary.“We must combine fresh new ideas and perspectives with seasoned experience if we are to unify this Island. How that happens remains to be seen.“The opportunity does exist here right now to make that change because I know that you are not loyal to a name but rather to the cause of a unified Bermuda. Your input is desired on moving forward.”Sources on both sides have said a new party will be formed by the end of the month, but Mr Fahy, who has been involved in negotiations, said: “As far as I know, there’s no deadline to anything. I’m not sticking to any deadline.”The UBP did not reply to requests for a comment.Useful websites: www.ubp.bm, www.thealliance.bm