The Hon. Sir John Swan declared that the controversial Speaker's Dinner speech spotlighted challenges facing Bermuda.

It stressed how Bermuda would soon have to cope without the military Bases, including the Royal Navy's HMS Malabar. "The speech was nothing to do with Independence, and it was not coded in any way,'' said Sir John.

But last night Opposition leader Mr. Frederick Wade tagged the speech "a blunt call for Independence''.

"It was a very inappropriate speech to make to the Queen,'' he said. "It was rude and distasteful. I thought there was no need for that kind of speech to the Queen.'' Mr. Wade said everyone in Bermuda knew Sir John favoured Independence.

Although Sir John did not mention Independence in his speech, the message was clear, Mr. Wade added.

Foreign journalists also interpreted Tuesday night's speech at the Southampton Princess as a call for Bermuda to cut ties with Britain.

BBC journalist Mr. Wesley Kerr informed radio listeners in Britain: "The Queen heard a speech from the Island's Premier which surprised many with its blunt call for Independence.'' It is understood The Daily Telegraph -- one of Britain's leading "quality'' papers -- carried a similar story.

Former Education Minister Mr. Bill Cox, meanwhile, reacted to the speech with disappointment. "I felt somewhat disappointed that the speech was not as friendly and welcoming as I hoped it would be.

"It struck some notes which I thought weren't appropriate for the occasion, and failed to strike notes I think would have been well received by people in Bermuda.'' In his speech, Sir John said Bermuda was once known as the Gibraltar of the West -- the lynchpin of the Royal Navy's control of the Atlantic.

"Now, we must face taking the responsibility for our future by ourselves. I believe we are equal to the task.'' Last night Sir John said a central message of the speech was that Bermuda and the world were changing.

The post-Cold War climate had brought on such change -- including moves to close the US, Canadian and British bases.

Bermuda faced challenges and had to come up with new ideas -- irrespective of Independence, he said.

Sir John said he was not thinking of Independence when he referred to Bermuda having to take responsibility for the future by itself. The statement meant the Island had to take on such responsibilities as running the Airport, he stressed.

Sir John said Bermuda was already handling for the most part its own affairs -- without Britain.

"I wasn't saying anything new in my speech. I was saying the same things I've said before. The themes were those I've touched upon many times.'' Sir John said he was "not surprised'' some people read into the speech a call for Independence. "There is always a risk of being misinterpreted when minds are fixed in a particular direction.'' Sir John refuted claims his speech was an "inappropriate'' one to make before the Queen. It was entirely proper for him to deliver it.

He said he was merely outlining the "reality'' of Bermuda's position in the world. "I did not accuse the Queen of anything.''