Independence is too important a topic to be confined to party lines, according to United Bermuda Party leader Dr. Grant Gibbons, and that is why his party will not make it a policy issue.

The UBP?s current focus is on housing, education, seniors and tourism ? and while the party wants to see a resolution to the Independence question sooner rather than later ? it will not promote a party stance on whether Bermuda should remain a UK dependency or go it alone in the world.

?We don?t believe we should be telling our members which way to vote on Independence. A decision on Independence is irrevocable, unlike an election vote that can be changed at the next election.

?So, effectively a decision on Independence is a question of conscience,? said Dr. Gibbons at a meeting of UBP members and members of the community at the Somersfield Academy in Devonshire.

PLP leader and Premier Alex Scott has, following discussions with the British Government in London, put forward the notion of a ?unique solution? that would see a referendum held in conjunction with a general election.

This week the Bermudians For Referendum group, which has presented a 14,000 signature petition to the Government calling for a referendum to decide the Independence issue, reported it had heard one Cabinet member speak of his dismay that the Government would even consider a referendum.

And it also claimed that another PLP member had said during a TV interview that a referendum might be Government?s suggested policy but it was not PLP policy.

However, PLP Press officer Scott Simmons said: ?The unique solution of a general election followed by a referendum provides no foundation for speculation of a rift between our Party and Government.

?The suggestion of a unique solution is a true reflection of our party?s willingness to listen to the electorate and work together to find the solutions and to acknowledge that we are all equal partners in Bermuda?s future.?

Michael Marsh, of the Bermudians For Referendum, said the group was still waiting for a ?definitive statement? from the Premier on what route the Island will take to decide on the Independence issue.

He said two letters have been sent to the Government since the petition was handed in, but while there had been some acknowledgement from the Premier there was still no clear answer.

?We hope that the Government will declare that a referendum will be held, either on its own or as part of an election.?

At the Devonshire public meeting UBP Opposition leader Dr. Gibbons said a decision on Independence needs to be made soon.

He added: ?We need closure, that is what most people want and we are asking for that by March 2006, that is what we are pushing for.?

And he said the issue of Independence is an issue of a major concern for young Bermudians.

He said: ?We have young people saying to us that they don?t care what our old (political) battles are but they want us to talk to them about their opportunities, their jobs and they don?t want to see their future messed up.

The young people don?t want some of us older folks to screw it up for them.?