which appeal to people's prejudices and emotions.

The basic problem is that it is very, very difficult to convince anyone of the desirability of Independence if you face the realities and deal with the facts. The leadership of the United Bermuda Party and the Progressive Labour Party who favour Independence for Bermuda are relying on emotions to get their message across. Preying on the emotions of the people is a dangerous thing because it produces an emotional response.

Take, as examples, some recent statements by PLP leader Mr. Frederick Wade. He is quoted as telling a meeting in Somerset that if the UBP won Independence it would support the interests of "Front Street''. Front Street, of course, is a "buzz word'' for the supposed white establishment. But in this context the use of "Front Street'' is very odd. First of all, what little remains of "Front Street'' is opposed to Independence and has split with the United Bermuda Party leadership over Independence. Secondly, "Front Street'' clout in Parliament and in the UBP has been declining since the advent of party politics and is now relatively minor.

Mr. Wade went on to compare Bermuda to South Africa in an unflattering way.

The use of "South Africa'' is an instant pull on everyone's emotions but the truth is that legitimate comparisons between Bermuda and South Africa are impossible because the differences are so great that comparisons are not relevant.

On a third point, the PLP leader said that the Country could not survive another 30 years with many of its people feeling frustrated. This is an attempt to have us believe that the will of the majority is being frustrated.

That's not true. Bermuda is a democracy where the will of the majority prevails and the majority has gone on electing the UBP. If the PLP felt the frustration so strongly why has the PLP not taken note of such frustration and made it an election platform? The truth is that only recently has the PLP stood up for Independence. During the campaign before the last election nobody but nobody stood up for Independence because it was understood to be poison at the polls.

It must be possible to have an Independence discussion based on reality. First of all Bermuda was subjected to a biased and misleading Green Paper prepared by UBP Cabinet Ministers. Now we are undergoing an unnecessary and damaging barrage of misleading statements from the PLP.

It seems to us that the people of Bermuda would do best to ignore the politicians and their papers. One party is split to pieces over the issue. The other party is asking its followers not to exercise their hard won vote. The people should make up their own minds and get on with their business.