The Leader of the Opposition has accused the Government of neglecting a full legal analysis of the possible impact on Bermudian travellers to the United States from the island moving from associate to full membership of Caricom.

Ben Smith said any potential threat to Bermuda’s comfortable relationship with the US made it “more important than ever” to put the issue to a referendum.

Mr Smith added that David Burt, the Premier, had confirmed there had been no advice or “discussions with the US Government” on the implications for Bermudians’ “travel permissions and immigration privileges”.

In a statement last week, Mr Smith said: “The Premier's admission should concern every Bermudian.

“For months, the Government has been engaged in an aggressive public propaganda campaign promoting the full membership. Yet despite that campaign, the Premier acknowledged that the work necessary to understand the implications for Bermudians has not yet been carried out and is instead being deferred to a future White Paper.”

The issue came up during the Premier’s question time on June 12 in the House of Assembly, after Mr Smith raised US travel in light of the Government “asking for Bermudians to give support to full membership”.

He asked if the Government had discussed membership with US officials or taken independent legal advice on visa-free access to the US, the customs pre-clearance at LF Wade International Airport, or “any other changes that could impact travel for Bermudians”.

Mr Burt responded that all questions would be answered in the Government’s forthcoming White Paper on the topic.

Asked again by Mr Smith if he had had “any interactions or conversations with the US” on any potential impact, Mr Burt told the House: “There is no expected impact on travel for Bermudians”.

He accused the Opposition of engaging in a “familiar tactic” and said the Government was “following its timetable that we set out”. Mr Burt added that the questions came from a “misinformed position”.

Mr Smith’s statement accused the Progressive Labour Party administration of attempting to “sell a policy before the it has completed the necessary due diligence”.

“Bermudians enjoy important travel privileges that are often taken for granted. We benefit from US pre-clearance at our airport. We enjoy the ease of visa-free travel to the United States.

“Bermudians frequently travel overseas for education, healthcare, business, family commitments and leisure. These are not abstract policy issues. They affect the everyday lives of Bermudians and the opportunities available to our future generations.

“Yet the Government seems to have already made its decision, and is now trying to persuade the public through a propaganda campaign.”

Mr Smith said the concerns had prompted him to ask about “legal advice or assurances from the US Government”, and that “the answer to those important questions appears to be no”.

The late former premier Sir John Swan raised the issue in 2023 during a call for a referendum on full Caricom membership.

The island has held associate membership since 2003, but Sir John said the island could not afford to jeopardise its US Customs pre-clearance or visa exemptions by pursuing closer ties.

At the time, Mr Burt branded Sir John’s comments “irresponsible”.

The Premier added: “The United States is a valued trading partner and excellent neighbour. The relationship that has been built over decades would never be put at risk by this government.”

Michael Fahy, the Shadow Minister of Home Affairs, also raised concerns in January after the US Department of State released a list of countries, including multiple Caricom nations, for which the processing of immigrant visas would be suspended.

Consultation on a Caricom Green Paper closed on May 31, with the White Paper to include feedback from the British Government as well as consultation summaries.

Mr Smith said: “The issue is not whether someone supports or opposes Caricom.

“The issue is whether the Government has done its homework before asking Bermudians to support a major policy change.”

He insisted that Bermudians were owed “transparency, compelling evidence and informed debate”

The Opposition has urged repeatedly for full membership to be put to Bermuda’s voters, with Mr Smith once more renewing the call for a referendum on the matter.

The option was ruled out last year by Alexa Lightbourne, the Minister of Home Affairs.

Mr Smith added: “If the Government truly believes most Bermudians want full membership of Caricom, then let's allow Bermudians to decide.”