Peter Lloyd yesterday for his "patronising'' views on Independence.

The Premier was responding to a recent speech by Mr. Lloyd, which was published in its entirety in The Royal Gazette on Monday.

Sir John accused Mr. Lloyd of "falling into the familiar trap into which most naysayers fall'', by highlighting countries which had not succeeded under Independence, while ignoring the success stories.

But the Premier said he agreed with Mr. Lloyd that Independence did not equate with disaster or disappointment for Bermuda.

Sir John said Mr. Lloyd identified suspicions between Bermuda's two main political parties as a potential Independence problems. But that was true of opposing political parties in all countries, he said.

Bermuda planned to retain the right of appeal to the Privy Council, but it was worth noting that British courts, like all courts, were capable of bad decisions, Sir John said.

"Do these lapses mean the whole British legal system is corrupt and ought to be abandoned?'' The charge of appointing political "cronies'' to the bench, despite the safeguard of a judicial commission, had also been leveled at the British, Sir John said.

"But is that any reason to abandon a system and a procedure which, in most circumstances, works perfectly well?'' he asked. "I think not.'' Sir John admitted to finding "a small patch of common ground'' with Mr. Lloyd over the uneven size of some constituencies.

He claimed even countries such as the United Kingdom and United States had failed to achieve "absolute parity'' in its electoral districts.

Meanwhile the Bermuda's electoral system had given the Opposition its current 18 seats.

"It seems that the system needs to be changed when the Government retains power but is a system which works well and under girds democracy when it boosts PLP representation in the House to 18 members,'' he said.

Sir John went on to accuse Mr. Lloyd of raising a red herring by questioning the way in which the Boundaries Commission was appointed. The appropriateness of the procedure, said Sir John, was "beyond doubt''.

But most offensive was Mr. Lloyd's condescending tone.

"He talks about having the time to embark upon proper studies. How many studies does Bermuda need?'' questioned Sir John.

There had already been a number of studies reflecting a wide cross-section of views including those of the international business community.

Some, he said, would remain unshakably attached to Great Britain or regard it as a "security blanket''. Nevertheless for many Independence was the final stage in Bermuda's development, he claimed.

With Independence, Bermuda would no longer be forced to "tag along'' with Britain's decisions. Nor would Bermudians without British connections entering Britain be steered to the "aliens and others'' line.

"For many, Independence is seen as that vehicle which will promote greater self-reliance; a greater sense of self-esteem amongst the people of Bermuda; a stronger sense of the Bermudian identity,'' Sir John said.

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