The Opposition has been caught "flat-footed'' by the possibility of the Independence issue going back on the front burner, according to a former Progressive Labour Party Parliamentary candidate.

Lawyer Philip Perinchief said: "The PLP have been caught flat-footed and with their pants down -- they're really in a quandary should the Premier include a Referendum in the next General Election ballot.

"It seems to be the consensus out there that the United Bermuda Party seems to be taking the initiative on this, even if they don't want to align themselves one way or another.

"But there is a deathly silence from the PLP -- the PLP seem to be just so silent, one way or another, whether it's out of confusion or tactics.

"But it can't be tactics because they don't seem to have any. The UBP is waiting on Britain and the PLP is waiting on the UBP, so it's a double wait.'' Mr. Perinchief -- who stood for the PLP at the last General Election in Pembroke West Central -- has now pledged to fight as an Independent, concentrating on the issue of Independence.

He has narrowed down his list of targets to three -- the St. George's North constituency of Opposition leader Jennifer Smith, Pembroke West Central, or Pembroke West, where his brother Wayne, a former top Policeman, is carrying the PLP banner with Carvel Vanputten.

Mr. Perinchief declined to comment on where he would make his stand -- but it is understood he is more likely to go for the Pembroke area than the East End.

He announced his intentions as he predicted that the possibility of the UK offering full British passports to the people of the remaining Overseas Territories would push the Independence issue to the forefront.

And Premier Pamela Gordon said this week that the people would have to be consulted on any proposed major change in the centuries-old relationship between the two countries -- whether by incorporation into a General Election campaign or by Referendum, depending on the UK's timing.

He said: "At this point the Premier understands that she has no option but to go the route of having a Referendum included in the next General Election.

"Any leader of responsibility should do that -- it would be less expensive to do that and she would have the people's views on Independence versus British citizenship going into the new year.'' Mr. Perinchief echoed long-time UBP guru Sir John Plowman, who pleaded this week for people to cut emotion out of any vote on Independence.

He said: "The issue of Independence versus British citizenship has always been a national issue, not a political issue -- it's a pity all parties can't rise above petty party politics.'' He admitted that bringing citizenship and Independence into a General Election would probably benefit the UBP rather than the PLP -- adding it was "maybe playing the only card left to them to stem the political tide.'' But he added: "It is still an issue of national interest, not political interest.'' And he claimed: "The PLP have been stymied by all this. There are still factions within that party who are not clear about the Independence issue themselves.

"They're still running scared that the Independence issue will lose them votes or slow, or bring to a halt, any political advantage they have gained.'' On Wednesday, Ms Smith admitted she did not have a clue about the state of negotiations with the UK.

And she declined to express an opinion on the huge rewrite of relations until she had "more information available.''