Practical matters, like employment, the impact of Independence on the taxation system and costs, should drive the debate on whether Bermuda should move to full nationhood, according to Christopher (Kit) Astwood.

?It?s not an emotional issue. It?s to do with long-term economic stability, jobs and the ability to provide a future for our children.?

The United Bermuda Party stalwart and former MP produced a paper on Independence in 1995. Last week he recalled his findings and said it would be important to detail all the practical considerations, including additional costs, treaties Bermuda would sign with other countries and the impact it would have on the size of Government and the Island?s taxation system.

?We need to see all that and cost it ? the need for a larger Police force, a larger navy, a permanent army, some form of looking after your shoreline. If you?re going independent you?ve got to have something to take care of yourself,? Mr. Astwood said.

?You also need to enter into bilateral agreements. The US will take great interest should we go independent, on some defence agreement with us.?

He added that landing rights, airline and other treaties would have to be negotiated.

?Our civil service will, I would have thought, at minimum double.?

Mr. Astwood said: ?I?m saying we take on the additional cost knowing exactly what it is and deciding a system of taxation to take on that cost. And if we all vote for that, fine. Don?t moan when the tax bill comes.?

He added that the biggest costs would be for representation abroad.

?When we examined that we found that the Canadian, UK and the US offered to take on the representation for a price ? and it was in the millions, not thousands ? so that we wouldn?t have to put in our own ambassadorship. Which was cheaper? Let?s find out today. I think it?s great to have a full discussion, put it out on the table before any emotional decision is made for or against it.?

Mr. Astwood, who admitted to voting against Independence in the 1995 referendum, said that Premier Alex Scott?s call last week for a national discussion on Independence was timely.

?It was good timing on his part and I certainly personally appreciate the appeal he has put out for all those groups and factions and in particular he?s undertaking to work with the Opposition, the business community leaders and the trade union leaders at this early stage of discussion.?

Discussions were important before making a decision, he added.

?The discussion will eventually show the best direction for Bermuda. I speak from experience ? that?s how we dealt with the Bermuda Constitution of 1966. We had four years of talks before we got anywhere near what we really wanted within that document.?

He said he couldn?t say where he stands on the issue itself without first examining the arguments for and against.

?You don?t have a pro or a con at this stage. If you do, you?re biased, you?re totally biased.?

Mr. Astwood said he voted against Independence in the 1995 referendum because ?it was done purely on emotion ? it was not a thought out process.?

Asked if cutting colonial ties from Britain was not inevitable, he said that there were several options besides Independence.

?Maybe we should be a contiguous part of the United States, or we become part of Britain. If we are to believe the British government even today the answer is it is not inevitable ? it is up to the people of Bermuda to make their choice.?

In his 1995 paper on the subject Mr. Astwood estimated that Independence would cost Bermuda an extra $6.1 million a year.

But a UBP Government Green Paper said that the main additional costs would be for a Foreign Affairs Ministry and those could be as high as $2.3 million or as low as $800,000 depending on Bermuda?s membership in various international organisations and on how the country arranges for representation abroad.