David Burt insisted that Bermuda cannot take Bermuda to independence without a referendum.

The Premier was speaking at a motorcade and drive-in General Election rally held by the Progressive Labour Party on Saturday evening.

It came a day after Opposition leader Craig Cannonier claimed that the Premier had asked him whether the One Bermuda Alliance would support him in cutting ties with Britain.

Mr Burt said at the rally: “Bermuda cannot gain independence unless it is voted for in a referendum.”

Mr Cannonier had said on Friday: “Mr Burt asked me whether I would give him the Opposition’s support in bringing Bermuda to independence. I was shocked at this overture, especially during a time of national crisis.”

Hundreds turned out for the rally at the old TN Tatem Middle School in Warwick, flying PLP flags, beeping their horns and cheering in support of the ruling party.

Mr Burt spoke about many of his party’s platform promises, including the creation of the Bermuda National Digital Bank making ownership shares available to all Bermudians and enabling a gaming industry to operate in Bermuda.

He promoted the transformation of the City of Hamilton into a “livable city” with the development of new apartment buildings, and the “green energy revolution” that could take flight under a PLP government.

Mr Burt said: “At the core of our vision for the economic recovery are the dual concepts of ownership and opportunity.

“And our plan is not about rebuilding Bermuda the way it was, but bringing about real change and fundamentally transforming our economy in a way that lifts all boats and makes our Bermudian people prosperous.”

Walter Roban, the Deputy Premier and the party’s candidate in Pembroke East, told the audience: “The people will decide which party and which leaders we want to see through the economic recovery.

“I am immensely proud to be a member of the PLP.

“We have been solid as a rock, we have stood strong and we have put Bermuda first.

“Now we pledge to rebuild Bermuda with Bermudians at heart.”

The motorcade left from the PLP’s headquarters, Alaska Hall on Court Street, Hamilton, on Saturday night and headed for the school, where a stage was set up.

Neville Tyrrell, the party’s candidate for Warwick South Central, said that “capable and steady leadership” was needed to make the tough decisions the island would have to face.

Mr Tyrrell said: “We in the PLP are made up of strong leaders, leaders with solutions and a vision for us all, leadership that is focused on Bermuda’s economic recovery, leadership that will ensure that every child in Bermuda has a quality education, leadership that will ensure safety on our roads, leadership that cares.”

Anthony Richardson, the PLP candidate in Hamilton South, warned there was a chance of a low voter turnout on polling day on October 1.

He told the public: “You must vote”.

Mr Richardson said: “Your vote is only powerful if you use it.

“If we don’t vote and say, ‘they got this’, we could well end up with Premier Craig Cannonier.”