After spending years in the US, where he garnered a vast array of political connections, it’s been no surprise to see Premier Ewart Brown adopt an increasingly internationalist stance.

And while he signalled a slow-down on the drive to Independence before he ousted Alex Scott, Dr. Brown has kept the pot boiling with some tactical manoeuvring to keep the issue on the agenda.

In the first month he pledged to boycott the next Overseas Territories Consultative Council meeting if Governors are still allowed to sit in and he said Bermuda would no longer submit recommended names for appointments of Governors.

The latter stance differed from previous Premier Alex Scott who had lobbied Britain to appoint a black Governor.

And Dr. Brown also upped the ante by suggesting to the Governor he consider alternating the venue of their weekly meetings — a request the Governor quickly turned down. Meetings with the Governor have been brisk and businesslike. One PLP source said of the recent gambits: “I think that’s political jockeying to see if the Governor would bite — obviously he didn’t. I am sure we will see more of it.”

And Dr. Brown also took the unusual step of making a speech in the House of Assembly about the foreign affairs when he voiced sorrow over the overthrowing of the Government of Fiji by military forces.

Political scientist and PLP supporter Walton Brown said the comments were unusual as external affairs were a matter for the Governor under Bermuda’s Constitution. “I actually thought it was an attempt to raise an issue which could be seen as ‘apple pie’ — no one could have objected.”

And he said the spat over weekly meetings was an attempt to get people thinking about Bermuda’s constitutional relationship.

“For people who don’t support Independence. He wants to get them thinking about it — picking little issues to raise questions in people’s minds. It’s entirely sensible.”

One Opposition MP said the increased internationalist stance hadn’t been seen in a Premier since the days of Sir John Swan.

“He is positioning himself as a world leader — that was what John Swan was like.”

And Walton Brown said the Premier was able to capitalise on US contacts. He is well connected in the Democratic party but had made friends with Republicans including US Consul General Gregory Slayton.

Mr. Brown revealed a series of senior business and political leaders from all over the world had visited in January but the results of the visits might not be known for some time.