A former journalist at The Royal Gazette has had a piece on Bermuda published in the Economist magazine in the UK.

Sarah Titterton's article, entitled The Happy Colony, questions whether Ewart Brown will push for independence now he is Premier.

Miss Titterton, a student at the London School of Economics, writes: "Known as 'Doc Hollywood' partly because of his political flamboyance, Dr. Brown has long supported the cause of independence.

"His predecessor talked a lot about the issue but did nothing. The new government's Throne Speech outlining its programme was oddly silent on the matter."

She adds that there is little support for independence among the populace and asks: "Does this mean that Bermuda will remain politically adolescent forever?

"Dr. Brown says that independence remains an 'objective'. But for now most Bermudans (sic) seem perfectly happy for it to remain just that."

Meanwhile, Dr. Brown's activities have come to the attention of the UK's Daily Mail newspaper.

The satirical Ephraim Hardcastle column noted last week that "trouble is brewing on the paradise isle of Bermuda".

It went on: "Our resident Governor, Sir John Vereker, has turned down a request from the island's new Premier, Ewart Brown, to hold some of their weekly meetings at the Cabinet building rather than Government House.

"A former supporter of the Black Panthers, Brown, 60, argues that such an arrangement 'might reduce the tension that naturally accompanies out constitutional relationship'.

"Evidently Sir John considers this request the thin end of the wedge."