Almost 200 people crammed into the Vasco da Gama Club in Hamilton for a forum on closer ties with Caricom — some of whom insisted the matter needed to be put to the public.

Calls came for a referendum on full-time membership, while one attendee revealed that he had been enlisting signatures for a petition urging the Government to go for a national vote.

The public meeting was hosted last night by opposition MP Dwayne Robinson, Shadow Minister for Home and Community Affairs, with Ben Smith, the Opposition leader, and Scott Pearman, deputy leader of the One Bermuda Alliance.

Mr Smith and Mr Robinson said the Opposition believed that a referendum was the only way to come to a decision on the matter.

Mr Robinson said: “What changes, what does it cost and who decides? Bermudians deserve the facts and the final say.”

A presentation covered close to two hours before questions were taken from the audience, which was at standing room. The forum was also streamed live via TNN, with in-person attendees asked to sign in and agree to being shown on the internet.

The first man to ask a question, which were limited to two minutes, queried if the costs for joining up could be better spent on public security, adding: “I don’t know how many millions it is going to cost, but we are short of a whole lot of policemen. Say it is $2 million — why can’t we use it for 100 more policemen on the job to protect us?”

A woman at the back of the audience then spoke of potential figures for full membership, claiming: “We could pay up to $6 million a year.”

Support for and against full membership was met with applause for both views.

The loudest reception was reserved for the pro-referendum side, while a man organising paper petitions and knocking on doors to garner support for the cause was warmly applauded.

Bob Richards, a former finance minister under the OBA administration, took to the microphone to remind residents there could be repercussions from the US and issues over visas.

Mr Richards warned: “There’s an old saying in Canada — don’t poke the bear.”

Other factors raised by the public were immigration, freedom of movement between members, cost-of-living implications and the possible change to Bermuda’s population.

Afterwards, Mr Robinson voted it a success, adding: “I think it went well.

“We were able to get a full house, plus the live stream was there for folks who didn’t want to be out or were unable to make it.”

He added: “I think it was a clear indication that people still wish to have communication within the community.

“Now we will take this information back to OBA headquarters and strategise on putting the course forward and utilising it.”

Mr Smith said: “It went really well and I think it was well received. I believe what it has done for us is to open this door more.

“Now we will take in the information and then decide what to do next and also reach out to the young man who is organising the paper petitions.

“We have it online so we don’t want to cross over and have the same signatures, but it is a great idea.”