The Progressive Labour Party has no intention of putting Independence ?on the back-burner? despite that being one interpretation of its reaction to a poll indicating 70 percent of the population has no desire to split from the UK.

Taking Bermuda into full-fledged nationhood remains a core principle of the PLP and a program of educating and informing the public about Independence will remain visibly in place, according to two of the Party?s most high-profile commentators.

Senator Walter Roban, who has been instrumental in organising five recent public meetings to discuss the Independence topic said: ?The issue of Independence is as important as a number of other issues we have brought to the forefront that deal with discussions about the future of Bermuda.

?Sustainable development is a part of it, ongoing infrastructure issues such as the new hospital and new bridge for the Causeway, these are all issues of importance to the future of the country and Independence is in with those.

?So will Independence have a back-burner position? No. It will be discussed in the vein of our continuing development as a country.

?We hope Bermudians will understand the issues centering around Independence and will become educated about what it means for Bermuda and ultimately, when the time for the decision to be made, they will feel prepared to do so.?

In last week?s Mid-Ocean News the reaction of the PLP to a research poll on Independence was headlined ?PLP may put Independence on the back burner? and claimed PLP spokesman Scott Simmons hinted the Party was ?prepared to ditch the debate? in light of e public opposition indicated by the poll.

Sen. Roban said: ?It is not an issue that is going to be put on the back-burner as the has interrupted it.?

He said the PLP felt Bermuda?s current constitutional model, once suitable, is now ?exhausted, inefficient and outdated?.

?When it was created it can be argued it was created with a view to thrusting us into Independence, with the British taking responsibility for certain external areas. Here we are 30 or more years after that model was put in place and Bermuda has evolved and the relationship with the British has changed and we believe it?s important for Bermudians to consider how this relationship should develop further,? he explained.

To move the issue forward Sen. Roban envisages discussions being held by churches, community groups and other organisations, who will hold their own meetings to weigh up the pros and cons of Independence.

He said: ?We intend to use radio perhaps as another medium to have discussions where people can listen in. We understand people don?t always like to come out to forums. We have also said we will come to people?s homes and discuss it with them privately with them.?

Recognising the findings of the survey that showed 70 percent opposed to breaking ties with the UK, he added: ?We understand people may not be comfortable with making the move towards full sovereignty. But as we stated before, if the PLP were just satisfied with having approval of the things that people have a position on then we would not be around.

?There are some things we feel strongly upon that we feel will enhance and make Bermuda better for everyone.?

PLP spokesman Scott Simmons said: ?As long as the UK allows us to exist with elements of autonomy then many Bermudians will be satisfied with that.

?There is an understanding in the community, there are legitimate concerns, and individuals want more answers and they want to feel comfortable about Bermuda?s future.?

He believes the day Bermuda embraces Independence will come soon, and sees the coming together of the various communities on the Island as a key part of the transformation.

?There is a responsibility to get along with each other and exercise elements of love with one another,? he said.

?When we learn to love our fellow man, when we become comfortable with communities in this country who are attempting the best they can for the betterment of Bermuda, and we move past out concentration on money and wealth, when to get to know our fellow man and develop that relationship ? then we will stand as a people and see the merit of being together in an Independent Bermuda. Then it will make sense.?

?We are getting closer to that. The issues of crime such as the rise in isolated incidents involving our young people where they are prepared to retaliate against each other in a community that is intolerant of that, I think as we get closer to resolving that issue we will find we will bond together.

?We will find that in that community ? in addressing those issues we will get closer to Independence. We are very close to understanding each other and wanting to respect and love each other. That is the key.?