A petition is being circulated calling for the Island to decide on Independence through a referendum.

Passing through Bermuda via an e-mail chain, the petition calls for the British Government and Governor Sir John Vereker to ?insist that the Bermuda Government demonstrates that a significant majority of Bermudians consent to major constitutional changes?.

It reads: ?We are extremely concerned that the present Bermuda Government intends to bring Independence without proper procedures or an unequivocal expression of the will of an overwhelming majority of people.

?The British Government has often said that a major constitutional change should require a constitutional conference,? it continues. ?Currently the present Government is talking about a General Election as a sufficient legal mandate for Independence.

?We strongly believe that if the current Government wishes to bring independence, a referendum, similar to the one in Bermuda in 1995, should take place. A referendum is a more reasonable and democratic approach than a General Election in which emotional arty politics and a large number of issues can obscure a thorough analysis of the facts.

?Because Independence would be such a radical change, a super majority, two-thirds or more of the votes, should be required. In Cayman, for example, the constitution rightly provides that major issues such as independence are dealt with via referendum.

?Accordingly, we call on the British Government to insist that the Bermuda Government demonstrates that a significant majority of Bermudians consent to major constitutional changes.?

The letter is addressed to Sir John and Anthony Crombie, head of the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

The e-mail accompanying the petition states: ?The attached letter is a modest suggestion as a basis for letters to the Governor which ideally would be copied to the Foreign Office.

?A Bermudian lawyer, knowledgeable in constitutional law, has approved the letter.?

The email then encourages recipients to make whatever changes they see fit and send it on. ?Little by little, we can make a big impact.?

The e-mail also details regulations from other countries regarding major constitutional reform such as Canada, Japan and the US. ?G7 countries with constitutions require more than a simple majority just to make amendments,? it noted.

The originators of the petition could not be contacted by by Press time last night.