Activist Rolf Commissiong says a television forum dealing with Independence, similar to a recent show on race, may be in the cards.

He also says it was time Premier Jennifer Smith came clean on Independence rather than introduce the issue by stealth in the same way constitutional change was handled.

Mr. Commissiong said pro-Independence stands had been made recently by several senior Government figures but there is a lack of leadership at the very top.

Citing statements made by Ministers Renee Webb and Milton Scott as well as backbenchers Wayne Perinchief and Delaey Robinson, Mr. Commissiong said the Premier's silence was deafening, especially recent public statements made by Ms Smith.

Mr. Commissiong said: "The Premier, in a somewhat petulant response, said something along the lines of it was not in their platform this time and it may not be the next time. Then she said simply that it was not in their platform this time.

"Thank God for small mercies. It's like reading tea leaves.

"But it's very insulting to myself and others who held to the principal of Independence and who believed that the PLP was the vehicle to achieve that.

"It's time to come clean.'' He said the coming year would see the issue of Independence come to the fore but he feared Premier Jennifer Smith might try to keep the lid on debate and then spring it on the electorate prior to the next election with the minimum of Government-sponsored public input.

The Government was in danger of repeating mistakes made with constitutional changes where its reluctance to involve the public led to a U-turn in which meetings were eventually agreed to, said Mr. Commissiong.

He said: "Initially all we got over the summer was we hope the Constitution will be discussed but nothing was put in place.

"Independence needs a PR or marketing campaign to be put in place.

"I anticipate in the spring myself and others will look to try and elicit a public response.'' Mr. Commissiong said public meetings were one way.

But he added: "We might decide, if we can get the necessary funds, to go to the TV and have TV discussions on the issue mirroring those we did with the dialogue in black and white.'' He dubbed Opposition MP Trevor Moniz as `Doctor No' for failing to back the Independence call despite saying he didn't disagree with it in principle.

But Mr. Moniz said going it alone would harm the prospects for ambitious Bermudians.

He said: "What would you rather have? Citizenship of Britain and the European Union or citizenship of an independent Bermuda?'' "The Premier says not many people were interested in citizenship of the EU. If not they must be crazy or she must be wrong.

"Do they want to be chained to the rock? It's a pretty small rock to be chained to.

"Footballers Kyle Lightbourne and Shaun Goater would have done much better if they didn't need work permits.

"They are getting near being past their prime but someone like Shaun Goater would have been in the Premiership five years ago if he didn't need to get a goddamned work permit.'' Mr. Moniz said he would consider an offer to debate the pros and cons of going it alone as long as the structure was right.

But Mr. Moniz said he agreed with Mr. Commissiong that the Premier was dodging the issue.

He said: "Renee Webb has been making these public statements about Independence but she is never gainsayed by the Premier so she must be speaking for her fellow Cabinet members. We must assume the Premier supports her.'' "But she doesn't want to show her hand while they are involved with constitutional change.''