PLP campaign leader Senator Walter Roban has added his voice to that of the Premier in rejecting calls by Opposition Leader Wayne Furbert for an immediate referendum on Independence.

As The Royal Gazette reported yesterday, Mr. Furbert revealed that he is personally opposed to Bermuda cutting ties with the UK.

He claimed that the Island was being ?distracted by an issue that has everything to do with the Government?s own ambition and nothing to do with the people?s needs.?

Premier Alex Scott responded by saying: ?I don?t think we will be rushing the public to a decision because Mr. Furbert wants to politicise it.?

And last night Senator Roban added his voice to the debate by saying that what he termed ?the Leader of the Opposition?s strident rejection of the concept of an independent Bermuda? was not surprising.

Sen. Roban said that Mr. Furbert?s function was to ?to revert to and to preserve the status quo.? And he questioned the UBP leader?s remark that he had changed his view on the issue since the last referendum in 1995 largely because of the British Government?s decision to allow Bermudians to live and work anywhere within the European Union.

?Europeans, along with people from all over the world, of all ranks and stations, would like nothing better than to come and live and work here in Bermuda.

No matter what measure is set, regardless of how high the bar, I can think of no people and no country on earth better equipped and more Independence-ready than Bermudians and Bermuda,? he said.