strengthen and unify the Party, its chairman claimed yesterday.

Sen. Gary Pitman defended the changes, which he said stemmed from rank and file demands for greater teamwork within the UBP.

One rebel MP has already claimed that the proposed new disciplinary measures were designed to oust the "People's Five'' and ensure the McDonald's restaurant bid succeeded.

But yesterday Sen. Pitman said he was "astonished by the distortion'' which "obscured and emotionalised'' the reasons for the proposed changes.

He said the need for greater Party discipline had been under discussion for some time and the proposed changes would strengthen the UBP.

"The Party membership, from the branches up, have been demanding greater teamwork. The Party leadership has heard the message loud and clear.

"Our present constitution does not have a clear-cut procedure for expelling members who refuse consistently to act as members of the UBP team.

"The constitutional changes being proposed would rectify this situation in the future, although they will not be retroactive.'' Changes to the UBP's constitution to stregthen disciplinary measures for MPs stepping out of line are due to be discussed at an extended caucus meeting on Thursday.

If adopted, MPs will be allowed to defy the Government whip just once and will not be entitled to legal representation at disciplinary hearings.

Other constitutional amendments include clarifying procedures for the approval and adoption of candidates.

Pitman defends UBP changes Last week Trevor Moniz, one of the "People's Five'' rebel UBP backbenchers said the changes to disciplinary measures were aimed directly at stopping the "Five'' from trying to block former Premier Sir John Swan's McDonald's plan.

He said also they were designed to try and oust the "Five'' -- who consistently voted against Government during the last Parliament -- from their seats.

The changes, he said, would not prevent the "Five'' from pressing ahead with the Prohibited Restaurant Bill which would ban McDonalds.

Sen. Pitman said the proposed changes were not cast in stone and if adopted by the caucus this week would go before the Central Council for approval at its November 26 meeting.

He said they would serve to clarify the privileges and responsibilities that came with Party membership.

"If someone accepts the benefits of Party membership, which for MPs include substantial administrative and financial support at election time as well as the ability to participate in shaping the Government's legislative agenda, they must accept the responsibilities,'' he said.

"All voluntary organisations have rules. When you sign up you are expected to play by them. If you don't like them you choose an alternative.'' Sen. Pitman added: "The Party constitution has been changed every few years since it was originally drafted. It's a living document -- not a relic.

"It reflects not only the democratic structure that has made our Party work well in the past, but also the needs of today.

"If something is not working, Party members always have the opportunity to fix it through constitutional change.'' He said the amendments would have to travel through a democratic process before they became final and were not carved in stone.

"Once these changes are passed, in whatever final form, our expectations of Party members will be clear, not only in practice but constitutionally. I am confident our Party will be moving forward with greater unity.''