Bermudians could be asked to vote on Independence using a timeframe and mechanism similar to that which led to the people of Scotland and Wales voting for substantial devolution from UK central control following the 1997 General Election in Britain.

An indication that such a process might be used in Bermuda to determine the will of the people has been welcomed by Mike Marsh of the Bermudians for Referendum group.

He expressed optimism that uncertainty about how the Island might deal with the Independence question was now becoming clearer following a statement by Senator Walter Roban about the likely process the Government is now considering.

Sen. Roban said that Premier Alex Scott, following a meeting with Foreign and Commonwealth Office under-secretary of state Lord Triesman last year, was looking to the idea of a referendum on Independence either at the time of a General Election or shortly afterwards.

This week the Junior Transport Minister also clarified a impression he gave earlier that a referendum could even be considered before an election. He said that was not the case.

Sen. Roban said: ?The Premier is being guided by Lord Triesman and a formula that has been seen as acceptable to have a referendum at the time of an election or a short time afterwards ? a similar formula to that used for the Welsh and Scottish devolution. ?A referendum is clearly on the table, although having a referendum before an election is not part of the formula.?

The Bermudians for Referendum group has been urging Government to set a date for a referendum to give the people of Bermuda a clear opportunity to voice their view on whether or not to break away from British dependency to become a stand-alone nation.

However, Mr. Marsh remains adamant a referendum should not be held at the same time as a general election.

He said: ?The Initiative and Referendum Institute says that at all costs a referendum should not be held at the same time as an election because of the danger of political spin and voter confusion.?

Mr. Marsh said he was encouraged by what he has heard but would like to see Mr. Scott follow the IRI?s preferred route which is to have a referendum six weeks before an election.

?It is good news to hear that he will have a referendum and it is good news that he says he will abide by the result. We need a firm commitment date to when a referendum will take place,? he said.

Following the UK election of Tony Blair?s first Labour Party Government in 1997 a pre-election pledge to hold devolution referendum in Scotland and Wales shortly afterwards was fulfilled and led to the setting up of a Scottish Parliament and a Welsh Assembly in a substantial shift away from UK centralised control.