Club To all the officers and members of the Kiwanis Clubs of Bermuda, I just want to express my thanks for having invited, me here tonight to address you on an issue of undoubted importance to us all.

Having just received my marching orders from your fellow member Mr. Simons only some six or seven hours previously, I can't say that I am extensively prepared to address you tonight.

In many ways I feel like the pinch hitter in baseball that has been now called upon by the coach to save the team by hitting a home run. To Mr. Simons I can only say that I will try my best.

Fortunately, in my efforts to precipitate continued discussion on the topic of independence I am aided somewhat by the fact that only recently I wrote a column that was recently published entitled: Independence March Gains Momentum.

This column not only sought to highlight the fact that a number of Parliamentarians over the last year have spoken favourably about the need for Bermuda to advance along the road to Independence, but also sought to briefly outline some of the major arguments or theories that are frequently cited by independence advocates when they are apt to make their case in favour of Bermuda achieving National Sovereignty.

Theories I might add, that are mutually inclusive for the most part.

Near the end of last year-in December to be precise-I wrote a column entitled The Great Divide. In that column I focused on the issue of constitutional reform as it related to our current electoral system. At that time, the Premier had not yet made her intentions known on the issue. That was to come, the following summer.

Just over 12 months later, I'm back to predict that one of the biggest political issues of 2001 will be that of Independence.

Apparently, what was once a song essentially sung by a lonely trio, and I'm speaking here of Phil Perenchief, Alvin Williams and myself, has been now joined by a veritable chorus.

Yes, the clamour for independence is growing and the cry for it counts among its proponents some very prominent players within the current government, both at Cabinet level and the backbench.

The expanding list of names while certainly offering no comfort to Joyce Hall and to Trevor `Dr.No' Moniz, will-on the other hand-give great solace to those who have held dearly to the goal of an Independent Bermuda, being achieved in their lifetimes.

Apparently, even Walton Brown has been rejuvenated, weighing in quite assertively on the issue of late. Mr. Brown must be happy to hear that individuals at the highest level of government such as Rene Webb, David Allen, Dr. Ewart Brown, Wayne Perinchief, Milton Scott and Delaey Robinson have all declared more-or-less that the next step in Bermuda's political evolution, must be that of attaining Independence from Britain.

The only question remaining is not if, but when? And on the question of when, there is only one person who can adequately address that and to date the Premier's position has evolved from being vaguely hostile, to just plain vague.

Consider the following: Up to very recently when questioned on the issue of independence for Bermuda, her stock response, would have been to say that we are not going to consider it this term and it may not be considered during the next term either! Recently however, the tune has changed a little. Perhaps considering how insulting the above was to independence advocates, she has amended her stock response as evidenced by her interview with ZBM's Gary Moreno to now say, that because we are committed to following our platform, we will not be considering it during this term. Full stop. Thank God, for small favours! I tend to be an optimist and that's why the Premier's ambiguous statements notwithstanding, I remain of the view that independence is fairly imminent and necessary for various reasons.

There are a number of theories that are usually trotted out in support of Independence for Bermuda; some are political by nature, while others are economic, social and even cultural. Here are just a few.

The `new chapter theory' is one that claims that we have basically exhausted all further possibilities for development under the constraints of our present social and political realities. Then what is needed is for us to write a new narrative or story so as to establish a new ethos. To set forth political and social values that better reflect who we are as we move into the 21st century.

In effect, with independence we are all-to borrow a biblical phrase-born again. Everyone starts anew. Arise my son; you are a subject no more. You are now a new man. The citizen, as king. In effect, the goal is to establish a New Organising Principle for our society that replaces that represented by the colonial period of our history. Bermuda stands at a crossroad, an island in transition. And while we have begun the journey from the old Bermuda, we will not create fully this new Bermuda, until we become an independent nation.

The new chapter theory advances the view that Bermudians must balance purely consumer and or materialistic goals by freely adopting a national ideal. One that appeals to our higher instincts and not just our baser motives.

Another theory is what I call the `race and nationality theory'. I know that this sounds vaguely `Hitlerian' but it is far from it. This theory which is beginning to attract a growing number of converts seeks to advance the cause of racial unity and identity by arguing that Bermuda's racial divide can be at least mitigated by the construction of a national identity. One that will allow Bermudians to embrace a common identity that will at the highest level of National life, supercede our individual racial and or cultural identities.

Independence will resolve the issue of citizenship by conferring it upon those who are currently no more than subjects of a foreign power. E Pluribus Annum anyone? Dr. Peters, the former vice president of Bermuda College speaking to this issue approximately two years ago noted that he could not sense any significant degree of nationalism amongst Bermudians. There was-in his opinion-no deep and coherent sense of identity or belonging.

As many of you know I was a co-organiser of the recently broadcast dialogue in black and white. What motivated us to advance that discussion, was the realisation that in almost every area of Bermudian life race was the sub-text, particularly on issues of common national interest. From discussions ranging from the long-term residency issue to constitutional reform, our divide as a people was palpable. In the absence of a national superstructure our ability to transcend our distinct racial and or ethnic differences will continue to be limited.

Then there is the `self determination theory'.

This theory advocates that all reserved powers now held by the Crown (British Government) should be taken over by an independent Bermudian Government.

Generally it is assumed that Bermuda will never be a full democracy, until it takes full responsibility for its foreign affairs and internal security (police). Taken to its logical conclusion an independent Bermuda would then become a republic, rather than retaining the Queen via a Governor General as head of state, as was the case for many of our sister islands in the Caribbean.

The `reinventing government theory'. A phrase that first surfaced during the Clinton era in the United States, in the Bermudian context, is one that endorses the view that we need to thoroughly de-construct the present institutions of Government. Many argue that we should be able to create within the context of independence, a system of Government and attendant institutions that are better suited to Bermuda.

Various proponents of this approach generally feel that the Westminster model of Government is somewhat anachronistic and needlessly confrontational. It is unlikely, however, that an independent Bermuda will decide to abandon the Westminster-derived system of government to any great extent and will probably retain many features that are inherently Westminster in origin, while changing certain features such as adopting the idea of an elected Upper House (Senate) and having direct elections for the prime minister or president if some form of a republican model is adopted. At the very least the onset of independence will allow us to study the possibilities.

The `bread and butter theory', is basically an economic one, that says that an independent Bermuda will be better positioned to protect its economic interest. Proponents cite both the British involvement in ultimately determining which airlines fly into Bermuda and the growing influence of trans-national organisations such as the OECD, as evidence of the need for Bermuda to represent itself to International bodies, without having to look over our shoulders for British approval.

Independence in this context is viewed as a plus in that it addresses Bermuda's concern, even obsession with the bottom line. And in an ever-changing global environment where flexibility is paramount and decisions need to be made relatively quickly, any advance that removes an additional and unnecessary layer of authority or hierarchy (ie, Britain) is welcomed. Bermuda is an emerging city-state of the first rank and it's time that we acted like it. In closing, president Thompson and to all of your members, once again I want to thank you for inviting me here tonight.

Independence theories: Political activist Rolfe Commissiong airs his views on independence in a speech made to the Kiwanis Club on Monday.