It was "desperation" that prompted an announcement that the Premier believes a referendum is the way to decide on the independence issue, according to the Opposition leader.

On Monday the Premier's press secretary Glenn Jones stated: "The truth is: independence will be decided by referendum."

He made the statement after United Bermuda Party leader Michael Dunkley asked for clarification on previous statements made by the Premier.

In the response Mr. Jones reiterated the Premier told the Bermuda Sun "the issue was not on the front burner at this time" and "we won't spring it (independence) on you if we win the election".

Though the Premier made no indication in the Bermuda Sun report that he backed a referendum, Mr. Jones said it was the way the issue would be decided and added that a referendum would happen when polls showed the public was in favour of independence.

Yesterday, the Premier did not respond to a request for a statement confirming that he believed holding a referendum was the best way to decide if Bermuda was to become a sovereign nation.

Mr. Dunkley was asked what he thought about the statement at a Sandys Rotary Club meeting last night.

"Desperation," he said. "I don't need to be anymore diplomatic than that. They have always been clear about where they want to go but at the last election they flip flopped about the issue of a referendum.

"As we get close to this election I think they said what they think the people want to hear."

He added that the UBP believes the issue, and any other issue of national importance, should be decided by referendum.

Michael Marsh, one of the organisers of Bermudians for Referendum, was also suspicious about the timing.

Mr. Marsh helped organise BFR to collect over 15,000 signatures — equivalent to 52 percent of the valid votes cast in the last election — asking for a referendum on the issue. They presented the signatures to then Premier Alex Scott in February 2006. The Government has said little about the issue of holding a referendum on independence since.

"We presented it two years ago, why is this being said now," he asked. "I don't mean this to be taken as a personal affront to the Premier but I do believe he said after the last election 'we had to mislead you'.

"He has stated on a number of occasions that he wants to take this country to independence but has never mentioned a referendum.

"I believe that we should have a referendum now, not when the polls show that the PLP will get the independence. We need to have it now so that the uncertainty is not hanging over the Island, and then we need to hold one every 15 or 20 years."