The Royal Gazette Independence poll.

The opposition to Independence revealed by the survey mirrored widespread suspicions.

And for Progressive Labour Party leader Mr. Frederick Wade it highlighted another belief.

It showed Bermudians' dismay at the Premier the Hon. Sir John Swan's handling of the issue.

"I think some people have been turned off by the timing and the manner of the Premier's approach to this. It has done a lot of damage,'' said Mr. Wade.

The poll showed 59 percent of people planning to take part in Government's proposed Independence referendum would say "no''.

Just 26 percent would favour going it alone.

Another key finding was that 58 percent believed the pros and cons of Independence should be explored.

It was also revealed 71 percent would vote in a referendum, while 14 percent would not.

The survey was carried out for The Royal Gazette by Urban Associates, an American market research consulting firm.

Results were based on scientifically conducted phone interviews with 484 registered voters.

They were a representative sample of Bermudians aged 18 and over.

Mr. Wade, whose party favours deciding Independence by a general election, said he was not surprised by the survey's results.

Many people were alarmed at the way the Premier had behaved over Independence,'' he said.

"I think there are more people in favour of Independence than the poll shows, but they are turned off by the manner the issue is being handled.'' United Bermuda Party rebel Mrs. Ann Cartwright DeCouto -- who resigned her Cabinet post over Government's handling of Independence -- was also unsurprised.

The results tallied with her own beliefs. But she added: "In one way I don't think the survey is terribly relevant.'' She said "incalculable'' damage had already been wreaked on Bermuda's economy by the Independence controversy.

She was thinking of exempted companies put off from coming here, and local businesses placing plans on the "back-burner''.

Mrs. Cartwright DeCouto said she was strongly against a referendum.

But, if there was a referendum, it should be decided by more than 50 percent of people on the electoral roll -- as recommended by Independent Senator Alf Oughton.

Senators discuss Sen. Oughton's proposed amendment to the Independent Referendum Act next week.

Another Government backbencher the Hon. John Stubbs said of the survey's results: "I think they look reasonable. They seem to be an accurate portrayal.'' Dr. Stubbs said he had long supported Independence.

But now was a "hell of a bad time'' to cut ties with Britain.

"We have to tread very carefully.'' Dr. Stubbs voiced surprise at the 71 percent in the survey who stated they would vote in a referendum.

"I think that is an inflated figure. If I had to make a wild guess I would say the real figure is between 50 and 55.'' Dr. Stubbs disagreed Independence should be decided by a referendum.

He believed voters should express their views on Independence on the ballot paper at a general election.

"I favour a welding of the PLP and Government approaches.'' Indpendence activist Mr. Walton Brown thought the poll was flawed.

It did not ask registered voters -- including those who would not take part in a referendum -- whether they currently favoured Independence.

This was a serious omission since many PLP supporters who backed Independence did not want to take part in a referendum.

Last night the Premier was at a UBP caucus meeting and unavailable for comment.