There is a possibility that the Western Australian government will back down on its pledge to remove the ability of ratepayers to veto council mergers.

A proposition that the right should be taken away has caused month of internal party squabbling, some sources say.

Premier Colin Barnett said in an interview this week that he would consider putting the cat back in the bag.

“The legislation has been approved by cabinet, and if we decided to introduce it, we will, but it is not necessary for what we're doing,” Barnett said.

The WA Government is preparing to bring about legal changes that would let it heavily contract the number of local governments in the state, slashing 30 councils down to just 14.

Current laws include the so-called ‘Dadour poll provision’, which allows the general population to veto merger plans if it needs to.

Reports say the Liberal Government is deeply divided over the issue, with word Mr Barnett will pacify the factions by allowing the Dadour clause to stand.

“The government's policy is to get rid of, or change the Dadour provisions, they are not democratic... they are being used to frustrate a sensible reform of local government,” Premier Colin Barnett said.

“The prime focus is to bring councils together, not have an argument about the Dadour provisions.”