A "yes'' vote in the Independence referendum would allow Premier the Hon. Sir John Swan to "hijack'' the Island.

The Opposition made that claim yesterday in urging Bermudians to abstain from voting in the Independence referendum.

Firing its first salvo, the Progressive Labour Party Referendum Campaign Committee started circulating "Independence Yes! Referendum No!'' flyers.

Repeated references to the Premier in the fliers indicated that Sir John, as opposed to the United Bermuda Party, will be the target of the boycott campaign.

Committee chairman Mr. Alex Scott MP said if the referendum, slated for this summer, was successful: "Sir John will be empowered to change nothing!'' Furthermore, Mr. Scott warned, deciding whether to sever ties with Great Britain by a referendum was "inviting civil upheaval''.

He said if the referendum was successful and Sir John did not make the constitutional changes the people wanted, they would not be able to go to Britain and "would have no recourse but to turn upon Sir John and his Government. That is what the PLP is trying to avoid.'' Mr. Scott said the flyers were to highlight the fact that deciding Independence by a referendum was not as democratic as Government had argued.

"Britain has made it very clear: If the referendum is successful, meaning over 40 percent of the existing numbers on the voter register vote (in favour), Sir John is authorised to come to London and set the terms,'' Mr.

Scott said.

"He can go straight from a referendum to a constitutional conference.

"Those who cherish Independence will have very little say or no influence whatsoever over Sir John. He can basically hijack the country into any constitutional order he chooses. He does not have to listen to any other public position.

"However, if a general election stands between him and Independence, he will have to be mindful of the how the public feel.'' Mr. Scott said Sir John appeared to be the target of the anti-referendum campaign because the PLP could not say it was "the Government's referendum/Independence move. In fairness it is only Sir John because the Government does not have a position on Independence''.

The PLP flyers state: "In order to change Bermuda for the better the PLP has always supported Independence. However, John Swan's referendum does not allow the people of Bermuda the opportunity to say what they want to know what changes he has in mind.

"The referendum doesn't say what will be in our constitution? Who will be a citizen? What about the injustices of the justice system? He wants Bermuda to say `yes' or `no' -- to what?'' The flyer goes on to say the "right way'' is via a general election.

"To withhold the vote and to choose not to participate in the upcoming referendum is an effective means of protest and of registering dissatisfaction with the manner of deciding on independence for Bermuda,'' Mr. Scott said.

Meanwhile, the National Liberal Party issued a statement speaking out against Independence becoming "an issue of personal ambitions'' but said it had no choice but to support the referendum.

NLP Leader Gilbert Darrell said it would have been "a real service to the NLP wants referendum yes vote major parties could have worked together on Independence''.

The Government should have created a Joint Select Committee on the issue some time ago, he said.

"The togetherness of the two parties would have foregone the need for a referendum because together they would represent the majority,'' he said.

"Failing this togetherness, the NLP has no alternative but to support this referendum and would use whatever resources available to obtain a `yes' vote.

"`We do respect those who, at this stage are opposed to Independence, but we believe that since we are now considered to be a self-governing colony, the next step does not have a traumatic effect. In fact, if there was no friction about it, 95 percent of Bermudians would not notice any changes.

"We find the PLP's position a little difficult to understand (unless) Mr.

Wade is so confident he or his party can win the next election he would become the first Prime Minister.''