A bid to alter the United Bermuda Party's discipline rules is a lurch to the right and an attempt to muzzle free speech, a Government MP charged yesterday.

Dr. Clarence Terceira said he was "flabbergasted'' by proposed amendments to the Party's constitution affecting discipline.

He said they were aimed specifically at gagging the "People's Five'' and were a sign that the UBP had moved to the political right.

Last night fellow rebel Government backbencher Ann Cartwright DeCouto joined in condemnation of the amendments which she said could affect outspoken rank and file UBP members.

She also pledged to reintroduce her Prohibited Restaurant Bill -- despite facing the possibility of expulsion from the UBP for refusing to toe the Party line.

The amendments are due to be discussed on Thursday -- Hallowe'en -- at an extended caucus meeting which will include a range of UBP members as well as MPs.

If accepted the Party's Central Executive will have the power to expel a UBP member if "the member is guilty of undesirable conduct or is no longer supportive of the aims and objectives of the Party''.

It will also have the power to expel in the case of an MP if "the member has voted against the Party whip in the House of Assembly or the Senate on two or more occasions in any one calendar year''.

A two-thirds majority will be needed before the Executive can approve the decision which will be taken after the accused member has been given the chance to defend themselves -- unrepresented by lawyers.

UBP chairman Sen. Gary Pitman said the changes would strengthen and unify the Party and would have to be approved by both Caucus and the Central Council, which meets on November 26.

But yesterday Dr. Terceira, one of the "People's Five'', said the amendments were aimed at himself and his four colleagues.

"What is so appalling is that it is an obvious shift, in my view, to the right in terms of political philosophy that the people of Bermuda should be concerned about.'' Dr. Terceira said he helped to draft the UBP's original constitution and said the Party's founders would be appalled by the changes.

"There is no doubt about it. It is a system to muzzle people and an attempt at intimidation. This is not done in a democratic society and this is why I say it is a shift to the right.

"This seems to have been done without thought to the long-term consequences,'' he added.

Last night Mrs. Cartwright DeCouto said the situation arose because of the McDonald's restaurant issue which she said was in contravention of long-standing policy against franchises and in particular restaurant franchises.

She also said the UBP already had a disciplinary procedure for MPs -- which the five had recently experienced -- and that the amendments could affect ordinary UBP members.

Mrs. Cartwright DeCouto pledged to continue with the Prohibited Restaurant Bill even though she could be expelled from the Party for doing so, if the amendments are adopted.

"I regard this as a very dangerous and ugly Hallowe'en trick, an attempt to force me and my colleagues, who have the country's best interests at heart, to fail in our Parliamentary duties,'' she said.

"It does not indicate any desire to listen to any opposing views and it does indicate a desire to stomp on anyone who speaks out about mistakes.''