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Debilitating debate Finally the United Bermuda Party has managed to get itself together, at least enough to pass the referendum bill. Make no mistake, the

of things in the process of this long and debilitating debate which were causing enormous stress and uncertainty in the Country, among them was the inability of the UBP to govern itself.

Most Bermudians have already made up their minds on how they will vote on Independence but for those still undecided, it would be helpful if we had an honest discussion. However, given the Government's biased Green Paper and the Opposition's contradictory stand in favour of Independence but against Independence by referendum, we are unlikely to have anything like a logical debate.

Politicians keep confusing themselves by talking about the people who want more information as if that is an indication that those people are in favour of Independence. Of course it means nothing of the sort. Asking if people want more information about anything in today's world is a silly question. Having more information is like motherhood, everyone is in favour whether or not they intend to become a mother or to use the information.

The referendum on Independence is, as the Hon. John Irving Pearman has said, "pure democracy''. However it will not be pure democracy if the people do not vote or if they are encouraged not to vote. Surely a referendum which gives the people a say, yes or no, pure and simple, on this one hugely important issue is the best form of democracy.

The Progressive Labour Party argues that the debate on Independence should be part of a General Election, presumably because its leaders think there may be a victory to be gained. The danger, of course, is that other issues will interfere with a pure and simple decision on Independence. There is also the added danger that the United Bermuda Party, given its record in recent months, could fly in the face of the majority of its supporters and put Independence in its platform thus giving the people no democratic choice at all. That would be very dangerous for the UBP and would assume that its followers will remain loyal no matter what, but it is not unthinkable given the present leadership.

Similarly, there is danger for the PLP in urging its supporters not to vote in a referendum of this magnitude. The PLP would run the risk of looking like the little boy who took his bat and ball and went home because he could not make up his own rules. After all is said and done, it's rules we are talking about because the PLP favours Independence.

Independence remains the largest decision Bermuda may ever take. It is emotionally important, it is economically important and the decision itself will set the tone of Bermuda for at least ten years to come.

It may be that with the passage of the referendum bill people will become complacent. That would be wrong because the situation is ever changing. It is difficult to say where the public's thinking rests at this moment without a proper poll. However it is our educated guess that the number in favour of Independence has grown since the decision to import two senior Police officers. Has the number tipped in favour of Independence? We think it is now close.