election in the next 18 months to settle the question of independence which his party has long supported.

Mr. Wade said he was amused that a Cabinet Minister was now saying independence would likely be re-examined by Government in the New Year, though a referendum was not on the cards.

"The UBP were the ones who turned Bermuda off independence by creating all the myths that we could not afford it and we would end up like (Caribbean islands),'' he said. "We fought tooth and nail for it.'' Mr. Wade has rejected the Government view that a referendum would be the best way to decide the issue.

"Let the Premier set the date for the election 18 months from now, and make Independence the major issue,'' he said. "In the meantime let the Country collect the facts and debate the question up and down the Island.'' Mr. Wade was joined by former MP Mr. Philip Smith in his call for a full Parliamentary debate on independence to help inform the public of what it would mean to Bermuda.

The insurance salesman, who lost his seat in the last election, accused politicians of failing in the past to properly explain independence to Bermudians.

"Politicians have never given the public enough information for them to know whether or not to support it,'' he said. "The big question is how much it is going to cost them.

"The information should not only be given by way of public forums.

Independence is a serious issue and it should be done by debate on the floor of the House.'' Although there was a House of Assembly debate on independence several years ago, it was filled with "rhetoric'' and did not disseminate enough information, he claimed.

Mr. Smith said he personally supported cutting ties with Great Britain. But one expense would be that Bermuda, like other independent nations, would have to pay for consulates in America and the United Kingdom at least.

However, advantages would be that Bermuda could negotiate on its own and with its best interest in mind. It would also have a say in the running of the Police Force, which it funds anyway, he noted.

Mr. Smith said he supported going independent because Bermuda now had a "very educated public.

"Ten years ago there were not as many college graduates,'' he said.