together to press for constitutional reforms, according to the Committee for the Independence of Bermuda.

The announcement by the committee chairman, Mr. Walton Brown, yesterday, was in sharp contrast to his stance five weeks ago when he appeared to be undecided on what to support.

He was reported as saying at the beginning of June that he would make his position clear "just before the referendum''. He had previously cancelled a call to vote `yes'.

However, yesterday he said: "On August 15, Bermudians should go to the polls and vote `yes'. If the result is positive the committee will try and help bring about constitutional reforms.

"We believe the PLP is on strong ground in calling for constitutional changes and in the event of a `yes' vote it will be crucial to adopt reforms.

"At the end of the day, it is important for the Bermuda people to act collectively and try and get these changes.'' Mr. Brown added that comparisons between Bermuda and other British dependent territories, such as the Cayman Islands, over Independence were misleading.

"What appears to be the case in the Cayman Islands is not necessarily the case here,'' said Mr. Brown. "The majority of people on the Caymans do not favour Independence, but the majority of people were not born there.

"More than 60 percent of the Cayman people are Caymanians or status holders, the remaining 37 percent are foreign. Of the 63 percent status holders not many were born there.'' Mr. Brown also said it was "highly inappropriate'' that around 300 long-term British residents will be allowed to vote in the referendum.

Their voting rights should have been taken away, said Mr. Brown who added similar action had been taken in Canada.