Bermudians who now take up their British passports owe a debt of gratitude to the "Magnificent Seven" United Bermuda Party rebels who stood up against moves towards independence, one of the group claimed yesterday.

Maverick UBP MP Trevor Moniz said it was because the group had resisted pressure from then UBP Premier Sir John Swan to go to independence in 1995, that Bermudians are now able to take UK passports allowing them to live, work and study in Britain and the European Union.

Mr. Moniz said the British Overseas Territories Bill levels the playing field for many blacks and people of Portuguese descent who previously could not claim a UK passport because they didn't have a British relative.

The Overseas Territories Bill, which London approved this week, becomes operational on May 21.

Under the 1981 British Nationality Act, only people with a British parent - before that a grandparent was sufficient - could qualify for British citizenship. The vast majority of these were white, said Mr. Moniz.

"I think the vast majority of the Bermudian public are at last coming to realise what a debt of gratitude they owe this group because of the tremendous advantages now becoming available to Bermudians who had not hitherto enjoyed British citizenship," he told The Royal Gazette.

"They will now have the freedom to travel, take up employment, and study throughout Europe and the European Union where previously that was only enjoyed by Bermudians of Anglo-Saxon descent. This is a great levelling off of the playing field.

"It is a tremendous opportunity now to exercise this choice and all Bermudians should take full advantage of the opportunities being offered, not just for them but for their children and grandchildren.

"These are advantages we are gaining as a result of remaining a British Overseas Territory and not foolishly going to independence.

"The public of Bermuda have to thank those who led the charge against the foolish Swan initiative for independence in 1995.

"Great pressure was put on political leaders and UBP Members of Parliament to support this foolish initiative. That group of us within the UBP are really those who stopped the steamroller towards independence.

"One of the key catalysts was the resignation from Cabinet of Ann Cartwright DeCouto. That was the first time anyone had resigned from Cabinet on a point of principle."