his tag as a "Swan yes-man''. He told a public meeting he disagreed with Premier the Hon. Sir John Swan over Independence.

"I'm against Independence for Bermuda. Anyone who says anything else is not telling the truth.'' And he pointed out he had interests outside politics -- he was both a businessman and a father-of-two.

"I had a life before politics. And maybe someday I'll have a life after politics. But during this period, I've enjoyed the tremendous encouragement and support of my family and many other community leaders, many of whom I see here tonight, and I'm grateful for that.

"But I have to tell you, I am proud of my relationship with John Swan. He's enabled me to fulfill a personal commitment to public service.'' Dr. Gibbons had been labelled a "Swan man'' during the storm over the early date for the by-election, which deprived many of the chance to vote. Some claimed Sir John had chosen an early date to boost Dr. Gibbons' chances of victory.

Dr. Gibbons sought to counter the charge at the meeting at St. Paul's Paget Christian Education Centre.

About 140 people turned up on Thursday night to listen to and question Dr.

Gibbons and his primary opponent Maritime Museum director Dr. Ed Harris.

Dr. Harris, for his part, put crime, education and the "rights of minorities'' at the head of his list of concerns.

"Our dedicated Police force has been reduced in strength, yet much of our well-being depends on strong policing. The roads, with deaths and maiming accidents, are the most dangerous place in Bermuda. Traffic laws must be effectively enforced.'' He also hammered out his opposition to Independence, and called for fairer immigration policies.

Tuesday's primary will decide who goes from the UBP to contest the July 14 by-election, which was prompted by the death of the Hon. John Stubbs on June 7.

Dr. Gibbons lost little time in taking potshots at his opponent, characterising him as an "Independent'' candidate who did not believe in playing as a team.

He told constituents: "I can take your opinions back to my Caucus colleagues, back to Cabinet, back to the Premier even, and make sure they are understood and heard. In fact, who are these people more likely to listen to? Someone who's never worked with the Parliamentary group, someone who's deliberately embarrassed the Premier, someone who hasn't attended Caucus but twice since last November, even when the Independence legislation was being debated -- or someone who has the trust and respect of his colleagues? "What I will never do, is put the United Bermuda Party Government at risk.'' Dr. Gibbons spoke of the opportunities opened up by the military base closures.

He stressed he was chairman of the Airport Operations Committee -- set up following news the US base would be closing on May 31, 1995.

"Given that aggressive timeline, we made a decision that the most cost-effective way to proceed was to put the airport operations out to tender to companies with extensive experience in running international airports.

"We expect to do that in July and to have selected a contractor by October.'' Dr. Gibbons said Bermuda could also reap the rewards of the growing industry of telecommunications.

"It's clear to me Bermuda is well-positioned to play an increasingly important role in this industry worldwide.'' Dr. Gibbons also told how he had tried tackling the problem of traffic on Middle and Harbour Roads. "And now that the site has been determined, I'll be looking after the development of the new Paget Post Office.'' Dr. Harris emphasised his opposition to Independence -- attacking Government for pushing through with a Commission of Inquiry into cutting ties with Britain. He said Independence had not been included in the party's election Blueprint, nor in the Throne Speech.

"What general benefit would Independence have for Bermuda? None, it would appear.'' He added: "The confidence of international business in our present stable colonial and legal status has been established: what will the Independence initiative do to this ongoing relationship? "On good authority, the initiative has already done incalculable damage to new international business and we may never know what opportunities have been lost.

"Europe has a major role to play in the expanding and interdependent world market. There is no doubt much international business in Bermuda will be coming from Europe. Easy access will be important in those markets and the key will be your passport, if it is an EC passport.

"The possibility of European Union Citizenship and passports for all Bermudians after the departure of Hong Kong as a dependent territory in 1997 is very real.

"The chance of being able to live, work, study and to obtain social and medical benefits in the EC countries, as if we were locals, cannot be gainsaid.

"Independence will destroy much of these personal and business opportunities, to say nothing of the convenience for general travel by Bermudians of all ages.'' Dr. Harris added: "The traditional Britishness of Bermuda, which is so appealing to our major group of visitors from friendly America, will not survive a transition to Independence for long. With it will go much of our market as a unique, British destination, a couple hours from the USA.'' Dr. Harris said one of the concerns in Paget East was the Post Office. But he believed crime and education were larger issues. "Personal attacks against visitors, now almost commonplace, must be brought to a halt.

"Rampant crime against outsiders is destroying the tourism of other islands.

We must act decisively against it in tiny Bermuda. I vow to fight for the proper financial support of the Police force, and for the enactment of new laws with severe penalties for personal assault.'' On education, Dr. Harris warned the proposed "mega-school'' at Prospect could create more problems than it would solve. "While facilities are important, the crucial factor in education is what happens within the classroom, the quality of teaching and the ability to maintain discipline.'' Dr. Harris also called for the cutting of the "size and expense'' of Government through privatisation.