being a "damp squib'' and for failing to take the Island's position much further on the whole question of Bermuda's relations with the United Kingdom.

There is some merit to this view; the public does not have as much indication today as it might have expected before the debate on where Government intends to go in its talks with the UK, or on what it considers the best course of action for Bermuda.

Still, some questions have been cleared up. The Government has restated its position that Independence will not be sought before another General Election, and based on the statements of Premier Jennifer Smith and Finance Minister Eugene Cox, that is unlikely to occur for some time.

Indeed, Mr. Cox goes so far as to say in reference to Independence: "We should not use up our options prematurely.'' He adds: "These people who are saying we should rush and make a final decision when the decisions need not be made are wrong.'' Mr. Cox is right in saying this -- in the end, any decision on Independence should be made with great care, and there is good reason to assume that an independent Bermuda which is not considered to be in line with international financial standards would pay just as heavy a price as a colonial Bermuda.

There are other areas where Government has made its position clear. It intends to repeal hanging and corporal punishment and it appears repeal will take place by party vote as opposed to a conscience vote, a marked change in Parliamentary practice and one which may not sit well with the whole of the PLP caucus. Nonethless, repeal makes sense. Neither punishment makes much sense and neither is used, thus repeal is a small price to pay for the benefits of UK citizenship.

It would also seem Government will be trying to get some changes on air agreements, where the UK has long used the Island as a pawn, according to Tourism Minister David Allen.

Electoral changes are also on the cards, although it is not clear how important these are to the United Kingdom and it is not made clear whether these will require Constitutional changes or simple Acts of Parliament.

Nonetheless, having already been outlined in the Government's platform, the proposed changes come as no surprise.

In the meantime, Finance Minister Eugene Cox has stated that the financial legislation which was tabled in the House of Assembly two weeks ago should meet the international standards required in the White Paper.

At the same time, much remains unclear, and it seems that Government's fact finding efforts have not borne much fruit in some areas. Home Affairs Minister Paula Cox states that pinning down the UK Government on some points, apparently including the question of whether governments or individuals will have an "opt-out'' on citizenship, was difficult as catching butterflies.

And Ms Smith said she hoped the question would be more clear after the White Paper is debated in Westminster; surely the UK government already has a position on the question -- and surely the Bermuda Government could have determined the answer already.

Similarly, Mr. Cox noted he had found the UK Treasury and Foreign Office at odds on some issues; but it was not made clear how Bermuda was trying to reconcile the UK's positions.

Thus one comes out of this debate feeling unfulfilled -- like going to a concert and finding that only the opening act is performing, albeit fairly well -- but the main event has yet to come.