for such a step. Right now Bermuda is heavily divided. The question is causing racial divisions because white Bermudians are generally opposed to Independence in these difficult times and black Bermudians see Independence as the final step to freedom.

There are also divisions along financial lines. Those in the money generally feel that we should be careful not to tamper with success. But even many of those outside the loop of big money recognise that Independence could disrupt Bermuda's tourism and international company business and make everyone worse off.

There are political divisions that are larger than the surface divisions between the PLP and the UBP. The Progressive Labour Party favours Independence but not all those who supported the PLP at the last election do so. Generally the UBP followers are opposed to Independence and angry at a UBP leadership which generally supports Independence and which has dragged the Country into the Independence debate.

These are the things we generally hear and it is what a great many Bermudians say when asked about Independence. But it is not the whole picture. Because Bermudians are cautious, we have held off from Independence for some 30 years.

Why? Because things have been good and there has been very little support for "rocking the boat''.

That lack of support has come about despite the fact that no territory has ever given Independence the wide consideration it has been given in Bermuda and yet people still say they want more information. Why? Because of the uncertainties.

Why has the consideration been so wide? Because in other territories there has been general approval of Independence which made wide consideration unnecessary while in Bermuda wide consideration has been necessary because of deep divisions.

Why the divisions? The divisions came about because Bermuda had more to lose than most colonies. People who have it good are unlikely to want change for the sake of change and without good reasons. Throughout the years of off and on discussions, there have never been any economic arguments in favour of Independence in this, the richest and the best of all the islands.

But the divisions also come about because Bermudians have fears about events, real and imaginary, in other places which have gone independent. Whether they are correct in their assumptions or not, and whatever the reasons for events in other places, Bermudians think that many countries, especially islands, have been badly governed and worse off after Independence.

While emotional and psychological reasons are often cited in favour of Independence, fear of suffering a decrease in standards is probably a more emotional factor.

Despite all the talk, Bermuda has never addressed its fears nor does it honestly and openly talk about them very much. Using other islands as evidence, especially the Bahamas and Jamaica, Bermudians really fear that Independence will result in corrupt Government, abuse of power, high taxation to support Government waste, highly paid full time politicians with limited talent, an inefficient security system, increased crime especially in relation to drugs, with all of it leading ultimately to poverty because of a decrease in international investment and tourism.

Is all of that true? Probably not but the fears are still very real and unaddressed.