Yet it seems to many people that Bermuda has the greatest freedom of all, freedom from want. In that freedom we are among only a few. Our standard of living means that we are not beholden to other countries for their loans and handouts. As a Country with a successful economy, we are mercifully free of restricting debt.

The very comfort of Bermudians is freedom. Our wealth also provides us with the freedom to choose at home and the freedom to travel abroad. Bermuda's ability to provide for the people has made us secure internally and earned us the admiration of other countries.

Economic success has given Bermudians the freedom to engage in trade and to become entrepreneurs, the freedom to better themselves. It has also given workers and trades unions the freedom to seek higher wages and greater benefits which would not be possible without success. That is exactly why we need to take a hard look at our whole tourism structure, not just so that management will succeed, but so that all who work in the industry have a chance to have their expectations met. A failing industry benefits no-one.

In many ways Bermudians have a superior way of life because a close watch is kept on democracy and a careful rule of law provides for liberty. Honest elections are a vital part of freedom. It is a mistake to think that a rule of law is present to "lock people up''. To the contrary, a rule of law grants the great majority of people who are honest, freedom from the terror of criminals. A lawful community protects freedom.

Our health amd welfare are provided for and protected and good health and access to good medicine are also freedoms. That is why this newspaper advocates tough smoking and tobacco controls.

Access to a good education without financial exclusion is also freedom. By and large Bermuda has that in terms of both the system and the availability of all types of scholarships and education grants. However that has to continue and for that reason this newspaper is gravely concerned that the new education schemes will not provide good education nor will education be without financial exclusion because people are being driven to seek costly private education.

Bermuda also has a remarkable freedom of speech and that has never been more evident than during the Independence debate. But we also have great freedom of expression in terms of the arts and free media.

The large number of Christian denominations and other unfettered religions and their ability to access the media are ample testimony to the freedom of religion.

Lamentably we are not yet free of ethnic divisions and it is ironic that during a debate on Independence, which so often touched on freedom, politicians chose to widen those divisions. We will now have to get over the grave mistake made by the politicians who tried to fight Independence on racial grounds.

The truth is that many independent countries have far fewer freedoms than Bermuda.