A PETITION calling for a referendum on Independence has won more backers than Government managed to secure at the last election.

And pressure group Bermudians For Referendum (BFR) has issued a final ultimatum to Premier Alex Scott ? "respond to the will of the people within a week or we will take our case to London".

The group is also prepared to organise a march on Parliament should its request for a referendum be ignored.

Announcing the closure of the petition after a year of campaigning yesterday, BFR spokesman Mike Marsh confirmed that 15,523 legitimate signatures had been collected by the group ? 300 more than the Progressive Labour Party garnered at the last General Election when it was returned to power.

BFR first closed the petition ? which states that the issue of Independence should be decided through a referendum, not a General Election ? last autumn after collecting more than 14,000 signatures in eight months.

The campaign was relaunched in December in a bid to collect an additional 1,000 signatures and bring the final tally to over 15,000 ? more than 50 per cent of the valid votes cast at the last General Election.

"There is a total of 15,523 signatures ? or 52.67 per cent ? of the valid votes cast at the last General Election," Mr. Marsh said, after handing over copies of the completed petition to Government and the Governor yesterday morning.

"I repeat, and I hope the Premier is listening this time, there is a total of 15,523 signatures from Bermuda voters who want the issue of Independence decided by a referendum and not by a General Election.

"In our letter to the Premier delivered today, we have again requested that he immediately, without delay, respond to the will of the people and announce, without beating about the bush, that we will have a referendum and will give the date when it will take place."

Asked what the group plans to do should Mr.Scott not respond, Mr. Marsh said he would seek an audience with the Governor.

"What is our next step if the Governor won't receive us? I think the next step is probably that we go to London ? we hesitate to do that, we don't want to do that. Or we could choose to have a march. The trouble is, whatever we do will be internationally received and we're trying to avoid any negative publicity for Bermuda on this matter.

"It's something that should be resolved by Bermudians in Bermuda, but if we have to take it further to get what the people want, we'll have to do that.

"We are self-governing colony and the decision should be made here by the Premier. He's our Premier whether we like it or not and we respect the position of the Premier.

"But it's very important that Mr. Scott realises what the change is going on in the world towards more popular participation in Government. It's not the kings and the tyrants and the dictators and the Castros of this world that are getting anywhere, it's democracy.

"The young people want to have their voice heard and Mr. Scott is not listening to the young people of Bermuda."

Fellow organiser Pat Ferguson added: "If we do have to march to make our point I just wish that everyone who signed our petition will come out and march with us. It seems to be that this is the way to go ? you get a million people marching on Washington so maybe the day has come where Bermudians have to march.

"The more people we can get out, the better it will be because that way we will surely get our point across. If we do get the overseas media involved then so be it ? this is a new world and we have to take the initiative.

"If we want something done right we have to work at it. The people just have to come together and do what's best for this island. Marching would be one of the good things that we would be doing for the benefit of the people ? so that the people can make their own choice."

Mr. Marsh said it would be foolish to hold a referendum on the same day as a General Election ? an option being considered by the Premier ? saying that the issue would get buried under party politics and spin.

And he dismissed suggestions that more people would vote in a referendum if it were held on the same day as an election. He pointed out that, according to the Initiative & Referendum Institute, a referendum held over a number of days would give voters ample opportunity to get to the polls.