Eight out of ten young people do not want Independence, according to Research.bm's latest poll.

Opposition to splitting from Britain has strengthened since Premier Ewart Brown put Bermuda's relationship with the UK under the spotlight with his Uighurs actions last month.

However, with less people now sitting on the fence, the total in favour of Independence has also grown slightly.

Overall, 72 percent said they were against Independence in the poll carried out two weeks after Dr. Brown brought four Guantánamo Bay detainees to the Island without permission from the UK. In a survey one month before, 69 percent were against.

The percentage in favour has gone up from 18 to 19. The 'not sures' have dropped from 13 percent to ten percent.

A breakdown by age shows the strongest opponents are in the 18 to 34 bracket, with 83 percent opposing and just nine percent supporting.

Dr. Brown, who has repeatedly said he would eventually like Bermuda's colonial ties to be severed, has previously noted that in many countries young people have spearheaded the Independence movement.

However, young people have pointed to a number of benefits from the current set-up, such as help with tuition fees in the UK and the chance to work in Europe.

Among blacks, 58 percent oppose Independence, up from 56 percent; while 28 percent of blacks support, up from 26 percent.

Among whites, 92 percent oppose Independence, down from 97 percent; three percent of whites support, up from one percent.

Bermuda's relationship with the UK has been discussed in the House of Assembly and the House of Commons since Dr. Brown's Uighurs move. The Premier says he thought it was an Immigration matter and he only had to discuss it with Immigration Minister David Burch; Governor Sir Richard Gozney argues it was a security issue for the UK to decide.

The UK is now carrying out a review on Bermuda's General Entrustment Agreement, which allows the Island to negotiate with other countries. That review should be finished by the end of July.