A referendum on Independence would fail if it went to the polls today, Premier Ewart Brown told students at a UK dinner Saturday night.

However he maintained that Government remains committed to the issue, insisting it was an inevitable part of the Island's "natural progression".

"Independence is still on the table," Dr. Brown told nearly 150 Bermudian students who travelled from universities across the UK for the opportunity to question the Island's Leader on a range of topics including escalating violence, the economy and whether Government intends to break ties with Great Britain.

Although the Premier said the majority of Bermudians would vote against Independence today, he expressed confidence that a referendum in the not-too-distant-future would support the Island's transition from a British colony to a sovereign state.

His comments received mixed reviews from those who attended the annual event, this year held at The Dorchester, one of London's top hotels.

Queen Mary University student Stephanie Hollis-Smith asked Dr. Brown how Independence would affect education fees. Bermudian students in England are currently charged home rate fees for further education and undergraduate degree courses.

However the Premier's response, that the Government would "find other ways to assist", was not enough to satisfy the 17 year old.

"I think (the event) was definitely very important for London students, it definitely brought a piece of home to us," she said later. "But I'm concerned that it was just rhetoric. I didn't get the answer I was looking for. I'm definitely going to go and ask more questions because I feel like he didn't answer well enough for me."

Other attendees were just happy that the lines of communication were opened – Dr. Brown provided his personal e-mail address to everyone at the event.

"Overall I felt it was well attended. The live forum between the Premier and audience was a good idea," said post-graduate legal practice student Charleda Mahon.

Added Chris Gobbons: "I feel it's a good way to make the students feel appreciated. Having the opportunity to have conversations and ask questions to the Leader of the Country in such an open way was definitely a good inclusion to the evening."

The UK College Tour is part of a wider programme which takes Dr. Brown to countries around the world which are popular with Bermudian students. In addition to the London dinner, the Premier will host receptions for students in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Washington DC, Atlanta, Georgia, Huntsville, Alabama and the Bermuda College.

"The College Tour as a whole is seen as an investment in Bermuda's young people with a goal of encouraging them to join the Bermuda workforce when their studies are complete," said Dr. Brown's press secretary Glenn Jones. "The cost of that investment is immeasurable. The participation and success of our young people are too important to the Premier."

Said Dr. Brown: "From my perspective this is essential. We don't do this just to be social."

The Premier addressed a range of issues affecting the Island in his speech.

"Our most important work is probably in education," he said. "We've all confessed to the shortcomings, we've had the brutally honest expert review and now we're invoking the changes. The last part is perhaps the hardest part. It's difficult getting an operation as big as the Ministry of Education moving collectively in a new direction.

"Right here in the UK they appear to be on the brink of recession – if not in one already – while our international businesses back home are taking pretty heavy investment losses and our tourism numbers look like they are headed for a slump. Those are the realities. However, we're taking some steps to lessen the impact on Bermuda, lessen the impact on your families.

"With Government revenues expected to slow, we're not going to stop public projects but we will strategically phase them to ensure we keep people employed and inject money into the local economy. Nonetheless, some projects recently on the front burner will have to be moved to the back burner."

Dr. Brown added while Government has several initiatives aimed at "trimming the fat" it will ensure there are jobs waiting at home for university graduates.

"Where there is wasteful spending we want to nip it in the bud. And know this isn't a new trend for us. Long before this crisis gripped the world we got serious about reducing spending. In fact in March when we said we were cutting back on newspaper advertising and travel and Government vehicles there was all sorts of noise. I think history has proven those moves were prudent.

"On a whole we're making it our business to ensure that there's a job waiting for you when you graduate. I consider it an unspoken deal between young Bermudians and their Government. If you go to college, work hard, make the grade, get the degree and come back home the workforce should be rolling out the welcome mat. That's the environment we are creating for you."

e The$5