Progressive Labour Party supporters have reacted with understanding to news Premier Ewart Brown will not stake the next election on Independence.

His comments come just days after he threatened to suspend relations with Governor Sir John Vereker over leaked Police files which was quickly followed by Public Safety Minister David Burch asking the Governor to relinquish operational control of the Bermuda Police Service.

It led to former Premier Alex Scott fearing the crisis could have spiralled into a unilateral declaration of Independence, however, last week bridges were mended between Government House and Premier Brown.

And this week Dr. Brown told The Bermuda Sun that the next election will not be fought on the issue of splitting from Britain.

He said: “Nothing about the next election will significantly alter the independence issue.”

He added: “There is no back door to Independence. The party is on record as supporting Independence and I certainly support that.”

Despite its long-standing pledge to take Bermuda to Independence via a general election the PLP did not put the issue on the table at the 1998 election when it first won power, nor at the 2003 election. Former Premier Alex Scott put the issue on the agenda in 2004 when he set up the Bermuda Independence Commission to look at the pros and cons. Yesterday he said he understood Dr. Brown’s decision to drop the issue for now.

“To rush it at the election might do injury to the whole notion to take Bermudians along with us,” he said. “It took us 35 years to become the Government. Hopefully it doesn’t take 35 years for us to move to Independence.”

He said Bermuda’s politics lacked the sophistication of its financial sector but he could not predict when the time would be right for the issue to be put to the electorate although he noted support was increasing.

The last opinion poll by Research Innovations Ltd. showed support for splitting from Britain had gone up 12 percent to 34.7 percent but those against stood at 54.7 percent. Most voters want the issue decided by referendum not by a general election.

Asked for her reaction to Dr. Brown’s stance former Telecommunications and Tourism Minister Renee Webb said: “I am surprised. I think ideally if it was put on the agenda it would not make a difference.

“I think the PLP will win the election since the party has always thought it was an election issue. I am surprised about not going for it now but I think the education process hasn’t taken place. Perhaps that’s why they want to wait and do it next time.

“The party seems to have reneged but the reasons for Independence which existed in the 1960s and 1970s are no longer there. Right now ‘Independence for what?’ would be the question. Aside from having our own flag, what are the benefits?

“From an emotional standpoint, I understand why we still need to be independent. I do support it as a principle. But the question is what are the real gains? That’s something that needs to be looked at more profoundly. That needs more time.”

She said under British rule Bermudians could now hop on a plane with the right to live and work in 27 European Union countries but this wasn’t guaranteed if the Island went for autonomy. There was still the inconvenience of getting the Governor to sign off on laws but she said he seldom disagreed so it was in effect a rubber stamp.

Opposition leader Michael Dunkley said Dr. Brown was backing away from the issue because it was unpopular but if the United Bermuda Party was elected Government it would quickly have a referendum on the issue so the country could move on.

He said he wasn’t in favour of Independence at the moment. “But I am not saying I am resolutely against it in any circumstances. Situations can change,” he said.

Premier Brown’s decision was given the backing of David Ezekiel, chairman of the Association of Bermuda International Companies. He said: “Any debates relating to fundamental changes in our system of Government create uncertainty, especially given the wide polarity of views on the issue of Independence — and we have seen this before.

“If the announcement means that the debate will take place at a later date when there has been more information and education on this issue, I think that will be met with approval by not only the business sector but also by the community at large.”

Bermuda International Business Association CEO Cheryl Packwood noted the Premier had not changed his support for Independence from Great Britain.

“It is the opinion of our membership that this issue should be decided by a referendum of the people of Bermuda separate and apart from a general election,” she said.

“A referendum would bring much needed closure to the issue at this time and allow the international business community to operate in a stable political and social environment necessary for its continued success.”

Yesterday Dr. Brown refused to answer follow-up e-mailed questions asking whether he favours having an Independence referendum after the election or whether he was wedded to deciding the issue at another election. Nor would he comment on whether he has ruled out an election this summer.