settle the question of Independence.

Mr. Frederick Wade rejected the Government view that a referendum would be the best way to decide the issue.

He challenged the Hon. Sir John Swan to enter a full debate and then appeal to the voters.

"Let the Premier set the date for the election 18 months or a year from now and make Independence the major issue,'' he said.

"In the meantime let the Country collect the facts and debate the question up and down the Island.'' Mr. Wade spoke following a suggestion by Sir John that Independence would likely be "back on the agenda'' as a result of military withdrawals from the Island.

Five years ago the Premier came out apparently in support of Independence. He has since largely confined his statements to the UBP position that a referendum -- a special Islandwide vote -- would be needed before any steps were taken to cut ties with Britain.

Last night Mr. Wade said: "The PLP has been for Independence for 30 years, and what is happening now is that certain events have forced others to see what we have seen for many years.

"The British government have been dismissing us for many years. We have taken the snub and have gone on our knees.

"They have not wanted Bermuda for many years.'' The UK had treated the Premier "contemptuously'' in the way it announced the closure of its HMS Malabar base.

"With that slap in the face, maybe he's now wide awake.

"He's a crisis man -- his party operates from crisis to crisis. They make no long-term planning.

"Our policy on Independence is very clear. We have said that we would not go Independent unless Bermudians have an opportunity to be educated first, and then to take a vote on Independence at a general election.

"I would be opposed to any poll taken without a campaign designed to produce the facts. Let each party put their platform on the table.

"A referendum is an alien format for our Constitution. It asks one question, which according to the framing, can fix the outcome. And if the outcome is dubious, nobody is bound by it.

"With a referendum you cannot get into the type of Independence you're talking about, you get into just yes or no.'' Mr. Wade said a general election route to Independence was agreed at the 1979 Warwick Camp constitutional conference between the UK, UBP and PLP.