Former Bermuda Governor Lord David Waddington has declared independence a "non-issue" - until at least the next election.

Speaking from his home in the north of England, Lord Waddington, Governor on the Island for five years from 1992 to 1997, said that he didn't believe a break with the UK was even a subject for debate for the next few years.

Lord Waddington, 74, who was at the helm during Sir John Swan's bid to break with British rule, told The Royal Gazette: "I know that the PLP (Progressive Labour Party) in the past have said that if the question of independence were to be raised, it should be raised in a General Election campaign.

"A party would then win or lose that election with an independence mandate. But, as far as I know, that issue was not raised ahead of this election meaning that independence should be a non-issue for the next four or five years.

"I am not as familiar with what is going on there now as I would like to be, but I am aware of the result of the election and of the recent change in Premier.

"As for independence, well, that is, of course, a matter for the people of Bermuda."

Lord Waddington is an active member of the Bermuda Society in England and visited the Island in both 1997 and 1999.

"I have nothing but fond memories of Bermuda," added Lord Waddington, home secretary to British firebrand Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher in the 1980s.

"It truly is a beautiful place. There are some lovely people there and if you love the outdoors there are few better places to be.

"I made some very good friends during my time there and have entertained many of them back here in England when they have come over to visit."

But he admitted that he wouldn't be back for a while due to his busy commitments with the House of Lords in London, where he is an active participant, and his desire to visit new places "before I get too old".