After receiving its third reading in the House of Lords and the Royal Assent, the move towards granting British passports to Bermudians and other citizens of British Overseas Territories is now virtually complete.

It now seems certain that Bermudians will be able to apply for British passports by May 21, and for young people in particular, this is a great opportunity.

For many, the first sign of change will be an end to the inconvenience and irritation of having to line up in the “other” line at British airports.

And some of the first Bermudians to benefit may turn out to be sportsmen, who will now be able to seek professional status in the UK without needing work permits.

That is just the tip of the iceberg.

Many older Bermudians may not choose to take advantage of the working and educational opportunities throughout Britain and the European Community which holding a UK passport will now offer.

But for young Bermudians, this offers a long overdue opportunity to gain experience abroad that should not be sniffed at or dismissed.

Those who choose to return home after working will have an enhanced resume and a wider world view, whose value in the era of globalisation is inestimable.

Britain and Europe are centres of excellence in any number of areas and this will also give Bermudians the chance to succeed in areas where jobs on the Island may be limited.

Indeed, it is possible that some young Bermudians may choose never to return. But others will, and the experience they have gained will be of great value to them and to Bermuda and should enable them to reach the top of their chosen professions on the Island as well.

And it may also help to stem the creep of North American culture into the Island. Bermuda’s culture, while unique, is also evolving, and balancing the different influences that shape the Island is no bad thing.

Some Bermudian nationalists will not seek British passports, on the theory that holding a second passport will somehow make them less Bermudian. That is a fallacious argument. Holding a second passport, as many Bermudians already do, does not make you any less Bermudian in law or as a state of mind. But it does give Bermudians the chance to experience other parts of the world and helps them to realise just how good Bermuda has it while disabusing them of the notion that this 22-square mile island is the centre of the world. Nor is this a fact in law as the passage of the “Ewart Brown law” should make clear.

Opposition to the UK passports offer may stem more from the fears of those who are pro-Independence that it will dilute the arguments in favour of full nationhood.

This move enhances the argument for maintaining the status quo. We are self-governing, but have the benefit of British diplomatic representation and external defence commitments. Now, with the addition of UK passports, Bermudians have the opportunity to gain from the UK and Europe through education and work experience as well.

This change can and will make Bermuda a better place; the British Government deserves credit for redressing a longstanding wrong from which all Bermudians can benefit if they so choose.