Opposition to Independence has grown from half to two-thirds in the past decade, according to a survey.

Sixty-seven percent of people said they were against breaking ties with the UK in this summer's poll by Total Research Associates, compared with 51 percent in 1998.

The proportion strongly opposing Independence has also grown significantly over the past ten years, from 30 percent to 48 percent.

But the minority strongly in favour has also grown, from nine percent to 21 percent.

Recent polls have shown backing for Independence is much stronger among blacks than whites, but according to Total Research opposition has grown among blacks over the past decade.

Independence was first comprehensively reviewed in a discussion paper presented to the House of Assembly in 1977.

Former Premier Sir John Swan failed in a referendum in 1995 before Progressive Labour Party Premier Alex Scott put the subject back on the agenda with a series of public meetings.

Premier Ewart Brown has been a vocal supporter of Independence — saying he believes every living being should aim to be independent — but he says he will not take it to the public until he is sure of a resounding victory.

Two years ago, 15,000 people signed a petition calling for a referendum on the issue but it was rejected, with critics accusing Government of dragging its feet because it feared it would lose.

Governor Sir Richard Gozney has said he would keep a keen eye on any debates about Independence, but it would be an issue for Bermudians.

Total Research provided the breakdown to celebrate ten years of carrying out surveys in Bermuda. Each quarter, 400 random telephone interviews are made, giving a 4.9 percent margin of error.