Pro Independence campaigner Walton Brown has called on the PLP to get the ball rolling on Independence.

And he said the issue should be put to a referendum rather than an election in order not to divide the vote on political lines.

He said: "You run the risk of losing power if you hang it on an election.

"That's what happened to John Swan. People who were against him came out to vote no to ensure he got out of office. So I think a referendum is probably the way to go.'' And he said the PLP should avoid Sir John's Swan's errors and get the Opposition on board in the move towards full autonomy.

He said: "You know the PLP has always supported Independence. You can't just say we're having a referendum, we want you to support it.'' He said the push for Independence was long overdue in order to win over doubters amongst the electorate.

"There's a core group of supporters who support it on principle -- about 40 percent. Then there is another group who have concerns -- you address them and Governments have to take a lead. You argue for it.

"You should have the idea in your mind that you want a referendum and then you talk to people to work on a strategy.'' "People like Nelson Mandela and De Klerk who were far apart on fundamental issues were able to come together for the benefit of the country.

"You need to sit down with your opposites and if they support the principal you try and work out something which can get their buy-in.

"If they have decided to move forward on Independence then of course you want the widest possible degree of support. You talk to the business community. You talk to the people. They should develop tactics, you shouldn't just go out and say now let's have Independence.'' And Mr. Brown said he regretted the PLP didn't back former UBP Premier John Swan's failed bid for Independence in 1995.

Referendum "If you support something on principle you should work to achieve that goal.'' Independence is the only issue left to tackle says Mr. Brown.

"People say `the time is not right because we need to address other issues.' But you will always have many, many other issues.

"That sort of thinking is quite disturbing for a country which prides itself as being well educated and global in outlook. No one has ever said independence is a panacea. I think that for our material success and all of things we can proud of we are still without an identity or a soul.

And he claimed Britain was keen to get rid of its remaining overseas territories.

"Increasingly there is a conflicting interest between Britain and Bermuda in terms of economics and finance.

"They are saying countries like Bermuda are in a position to become independent. If they have chosen not to then we going to lay down the law in a very demeaning manner.

"It is really making the decision more stark.

"We talk about Independence like it's the unspoken disease. It is the natural state of affairs for countries.'' He said ducking the Independence issue could lead to social unrest down the line.

He said: "Those people who focus just on the economy -- Bermuda is not just a company. It has a social infrastructure and people who are more than workers.

If you ignore the social side you create the conditions for unrest and discontent. We have seen this in the riots in 1968 and 1977, we had the two Royal Commission reports written about them which said Bermuda needs to address culture, identity, that's what helps to strengthen the country.

"We are a wealthy country but that could disappear overnight if there is unrest. You can't segregate the economy from other dimensions of society.''