Opposition leader Pamela Gordon will press Foreign Office Minister Baroness Scotland to ensure Government consults fully with the people of Bermuda on constitutional changes before Britain approves the plans.

The UBP leader will also be proposing changes to the Constitution such as freedom of information rights and reform of the judiciary when she meets Baroness Scotland in London next month.

London will not approve Government's proposed changes unless it is satisfied there has been a comprehensive consultation process.

Premier Jennifer Smith has proposed that the changes -- redrawing parliamentary boundaries, single-seat constituencies, and slashing the number of MPs -- should be discussed in the House of Assembly.

The UBP is pushing for a constitutional conference and a referendum to ensure the Island is properly consulted.

Failing that, the party would welcome other moves which ensure there is a wide-ranging debate allowing every voter to participate.

Ms Gordon said it was a waste of time lobbying the Premier because she had made up her mind, so the UBP will be taking the case to Baroness Scotland, the Overseas Territories Minister.

If Britain is not satisfied Government has consulted adequately, it will tell the Premier it cannot approve the constitutional changes.

The onus will then be on Government to demonstrate that the people have been properly involved.

Ms Gordon said yesterday: "Bermuda has no safeguard in place and as the UK Government is not supportive of a constitutional conference, even though there is precedent for it, the only alternative is to give the country a say through a referendum.

"The UBP intends to have public meetings on the constitutional changes. What has been presented by the Premier is flawed and these are far-reaching changes to the Constitution that have not been addressed.

"The Premier has fallen short and does not understand her duty, so I will be recommending to the Baroness to indicate to her (the Premier) where the shortfall has been and that this has not been a democratic process to date.

"We will object vociferously to this going further ahead, through the Conservative Party in the UK or the Press there as a last resort if all else fails to make sure everyone knows this has not been properly vetted.

"The Premier has shown she has no intention of going through due process so it shows she is trying to play politics.

"I believe her position is fixed and firm so it would be futile to lobby her to change her mind.

"We will say to Baroness Scotland that she has defined what she does not want to see (a constitutional conference) but she has not defined what will satisfy her as a full and frank discussion.

"London has said we will leave constitutional change to Bermuda when we are satisfied the majority of people have had a full and frank discussion. They haven't defined what the parameters are for a full and frank discussion.

"If we put in place the evidence that the Country has not been sufficiently consulted then the Baroness has a duty not to allow the (constitutional) document to go forward by way or Order of Council until she is satisfied that the majority of people have been consulted.'' Ms Gordon said she would not disclose the details of her proposals to modernise the Constitution until she had spoken to Baroness Scotland.

Pamela Gordon