There's little appetite for Bermuda becoming a republic, as the debate on Independence rages along like a two-legged anaemic frog.

The Island has a number of options besides the status quo. According to the United Nations Decolonisation committee, which wants to see the end to colonialism by 2010, territories can choose to become fully integrated with the colonial power, pursue associated statehood or go independent.

No one is seriously considering either associated statehood or full integration.

And some countries have gone from colonial status to being a Republic with their own head of state, a president, instead of the Queen.

But a random selection of people generally known to be advocates for Independence agreed ? with one exception ? that sovereignty should be taken in small steps.

Charles Jeffers, former National Liberal Party leader, said that republican status could be considered ? but at a later stage.

Corin Smith, who contested the Sandys North by-election under the UBP banner, was unique in holding that Bermuda should go for republican status.

"I don't agree with the closed secretive world of the monarchy or the closeted world of the monarchy as an organising principle for Bermuda," he said.

"I think everybody has a stake in building a republic while only a certain few have a stake in a monarchy. A monarchy is monopolised and controlled by rules nobody has any control over and I like the idea that the person you vote for is the person you get in charge. And our biggest and closest trading partner is a republic so we should emulate that system."

Mr. Jeffers said he saw no gain in becoming a republic right away and felt it was important to stay in the Commonwealth.

"I'm more concerned about having the right to appoint our own Governor, to make changes to our Constitution. This thing about going to the Governor and saying 'Can the Premier be picked up at the tarmac, the same way as visitors?' I'd like to see that kind of stuff eliminated."

PLP supporter Rolfe Commissiong called for an open debate on the idea of Bermuda becoming an independent republic.

"Realistically, however, I'm inclined to believe that Bermuda will be a little more conservative and still retrain the Constitutional link that has the Queen remaining as Head of State with a Bermudian Governor General as her representative. Attendant with that would be Bermuda's association with the Commonwealth body of nations. But I'm open minded ? I probably lean more to the Republican status ? one that will see perhaps some blending of the British Parliamentary system with that of the more American separation of powers model."