Premier Pamela Gordon yesterday welcomed a "definite change in attitude'' by the UK, towards its colonies.

But she warned she would fight what appeared to be a worldwide trend "to shift the offshore sector back onshore.'' And Ms Gordon said the UK and Europe had to be more sensitive to the effect their actions could have on Bermuda's business.

She added: "They keep talking about a level playing field -- but the playing field was never level to start off with.

"They need to be more sensitive to the sort of damage which could be done to small economies like Bermuda which has no material resources except her people and their ingenuity.'' Ms Gordon was speaking on the first day of a major UK-Caribbean Forum called in the Bahamas by UK Foreign Secretary Robin Cook.

Opening the conference, chairman and newly-created Minister for the Dependent Territories Baroness Symons said: "The new British Government is very concerned to boost existing ties with old friends.'' And she added Britain had pushed ahead with plans for the conference, despite a "hectic'' schedule for the UK Foreign Office as Britain takes on the presidency of the European Union.

But Baroness Symons told delegates: "The UK's purpose in holding this forum is as much to listen to what you have to say as what we have to tell you.'' She added: "We don't expect this Forum to be entirely uncontroversial -- but we are amongst friends.

"We know there is a very large area of common ground on fundamental issues of democracy, human rights and decent behaviour. We want to reaffirm that common ground, reaffirm that friendship and look for new grounds of cooperation.'' Baroness Symons said she was pleased Bermuda and the four Caribbean Dependent Territories could take part in yesterday's session of the two-day conference.

Later Baroness Symons said "Bermuda is an overseas territory and it is a question of protocols. We are discussing ways in which all of the Dependent Territories can have an overseas voice.'' She did not rule out a more direct voice for Bermuda at some time in the future -- but pointed out that had to be balanced against the views of some independent countries who also want a greater voice.

Baroness Symons said: "I am very well aware of the views of the Bermudian Premier and we have talked to her about this.'' Ms Gordon said one of the reasons for a change in approach to the Dependent Territories was the "greater cohesiveness'' on the part of the colonies like Bermuda and those in the Caribbean.

She added: "All of us have one thing in common -- the threat to our economic well-being.

"Never before have we had this degree of cooperation in the Caribbean and other Dependent Territories.

"Britain is saying `we want to work with you', they're saying `we have a voice' but they're also saying `you have your own voice as well.' "It does feel like a definite shift in attitude in a favourable way -- but it's early days.'' But she repeated her frustration about the UK's handling of Bermuda in the foreign affairs arena.

Ms Gordon said that Britain had agreed to have a special session for her and the Chief Ministers of the other Dependent Territories before the international session of the forum -- which concentrates on drugs, money laundering and international fraud -- gets underway today so the UK can relay their concerns.

But she added: "There is a risk things will get diluted because nobody will make a point as forcefully as we can.'' Ms Gordon said the financial sector was "Bermuda's bread and butter'' and the Island should have the strongest possible representation at any forum where international business was discussed.