Bermuda's relationship with the United Kingdom will become more complex because London has new responsibilities that directly affect the Island's internal affairs, said Governor Sir John Vereker.

The constitutions of most Overseas Territories were written "for an earlier and simpler time", when it was easier to separate external affairs which Britain dealt with from internal matters (other than security and policing) which were left to colonies, he said.

"Now, the UK has an array of responsibilities that bear directly on internal affairs," Sir John told the Adult Education International Labour Relations seminar at Bermuda College.

"Counter-terrorism, global financial stability, organised crime, aviation and maritime security, international agreements on human rights and protection of the environment recognise no boundaries, not even those of islands.

"With good sense and good will on both sides - and those qualities are much in evidence here in Bermuda - this complexity need not evolve into confrontation, but it does mean the relationship needs careful management."

Shortly after he was installed as Premier in July, Alex Scott said recent correspondence from Britain left him worried the UK was tightening its colonial grip on Bermuda.

But after a visit to London in October when he met Overseas Territories Minister Bill Rammell, he said his fears had been alleviated.

He said Mr. Rammell had assured him any concerns Britain had about the governance of overseas territories did not involve Bermuda.

Sir John told the Bermuda College audience that the Island had no choice but to pursue high end tourism because of the high wage levels and the size of Bermuda.

And while the forces of globalisation were strong, the Island could take decisions to affect its future.

"It is up to Bermuda to decide how crowded this island and its roads should be; how Bermudian it should remain; how many hours we should work; how we should raise our children," he said.

See Opinion for Sir John's speech