Eyebrows have been raised over statements made by Sir John Swan in the media recently.

People are wondering why Sir John is going public after a self-imposed media exile.

But Sir John has now moved to dispel any rumours that may be circulating in Bermuda's close knit community and has dismissed speculation that he is considering re-entering the political ring.

"Why am I doing all this?'' asked Sir John.

"I think the process has become somewhat parochial.

"There is no stated vision about Bermuda as to where we are and where we might be going and this helps put a definition on what we are locally and internationally.

"I am trying to keep politics out of it and let people know Bermuda has a plan so Bermudians know there is a plan and non-Bermudians and the outside world know there is a plan and we're not just going from pillar to post.'' Sir John recognised that he was and remains an influential figure in Bermudian culture and said he wished to use that to some effect.

"I have been the fortunate recipient of a commercial life and a political life in Bermuda that has been rewarding,'' he said.

"I feel I cannot just bury the experiences and exposure I have had. And therefore my attempt is to try and keep a perspective on Bermuda and what has made it so unique a place so it can continue to benefit from the global change taking place and enjoy the rewards that have been almost unprecedented in any other country and attempt to ensure that does not slip away from us as it has done in other places.'' Sir John noted that real change was happening in the world following the collapse of the Berlin Wall and resulting global democratisation.

And this was forcing nations to be open when dealing in capital, commerce and information technology while they tried to protect their resources, he said.

"We need to open up but at the same time continue, as much as possible, to protect what we have,'' Sir John added.

"This is the paradox that the world is going through.'' Bermuda was experiencing this through what was coming out of Britain, said Sir John, and this was forcing it to do things differently instead of fighting change.

"We see the manifestation of this in things coming out of Britain due to its association with the European community,'' he explained.

"As such the whole attempt here is to give credence to what we have been, what caused us to be what we have been, what we are, what has allowed us to be what we are and, potentially, some of the opportunities that lie ahead if we pay attention to the change that has taken place and not try to swim upstream against the tide bringing that change.''