Premier Ewart Brown marked the 40th anniversary of democracy in Bermuda by appearing to place Independence firmly back on the political agenda.

At the House of Assembly yesterday, the Premier said the Island may have "squandered the hard fought opportunities that came to fruition in 1968".

In a statement to the House, the Premier quoted the 1977 Pitt Report, into the riots on the Island. It said: "A further point that we do stress, however, is that in our view the regulation of the Bermudian economy with respect to immigration and the planning of social integration, will have to be based upon a shared concept of Bermudian nationhood.

"That concept can only become a reality when Bermuda comes of age and the country takes its rightful place in the international community as a fully independent nation. Only then can Bermuda demonstrate her political maturity to the world at large.'

The Premier added: "Those profound words are not my own but come from the Report of the Royal Commission into the 1977 Disturbances in Bermuda, more popularly known as the Pitt Commission Report.

"That statement is as true today as it was 30 years ago. On this 40th anniversary of our democratic adolescence we should all reflect on the consequence of delaying our adulthood."

He claimed the Bermuda Constitution was a transitional document and that "those who approved it, those who drafted it and those who fought for its passage always considered it to be a stepping stone to self-determination".

The Premier added: "I am a servant of the people and it is the people of Bermuda who will direct when and how we achieve nationhood."

His statement added: "My hope is that in schools and barber shops, in restaurants and parks that the people of this country will not only celebrate this 40th anniversary of universal adult suffrage for Bermuda but will ask themselves a series of questions.

"Have we fulfilled the potential of those tense, electric and historic days? Have we allowed economic pursuits to relegate natural democratic progress? Have we yielded the admonition of those we now term as heroes of this land that we not be afraid to stand on our own two feet? Have we surrendered to the Quo fata ferunt mindset?"

Before assuming the role of Premier in October 2006, Dr. Brown stated that Independence was a key objective, but said it would not be an initial focus of his leadership.

And during the run-up to the election the Premier consistently said that Independence would not be part of the PLP election platform.

While in the Cayman Islands last July for a meeting of the Caribbean Overseas Territories, the Premier said the timing of any Independence initiative had to be perfect.

To reporters after the meeting he said: "It is a matter of timing and political sense as to when that issue is put before the electorate. It is my personal belief that all living things should seek to be independent.

"Those people who would like to see such a vote (for Independence) or other method lose, would like to rush into it tomorrow. Those of us who would like to see it succeed, will take our time and try to choose the correct time."

Though also expressing this view in March to Caribbean Media Corporation in Trinidad, the Premier refused to elaborate or make the same claims to this paper.

Polls have consistently shown a strong adversity to the idea of Independence with 67 percent against, 22 percent supporting it and 11 percent uncertain in a Research Innovations survey last November.

Asked to comment yesterday, Governor Sir Richard Grozney said a debate about Independence would be one that they would watch closely but would be one for the Island.

He said: "I think that all of us, Bermudians and British alike, are conscious of some of the different twists and turns, and some of the seminal statements made, during a long and periodic debate in Bermuda about the possibility of Independence.

"For my part as Governor and for our part as Britain we shall follow further stages in that debate within Bermuda with great interest.

"It will be a Bermudian debate, and one in which neither this Governor nor the British Government are likely to seek to play a direct part."