A grassroots group this week launched a campaign to battle against full British citizenship for Bermudians.

And the group warned Bermuda could be swamped, not just by Britain, but by the entire European Union unless the Island takes a stand.

A flyer issued by the group -- which does not carry a publisher's name -- said: "Like it or not, we will have to stand our ground and fight for our rights to Bermuda.

"Otherwise, we will perish and become extinct as real Bermudians. Remember extinction is forever.'' The man who handed the leaflet to a reporter from The Royal Gazette declined to answer any questions or say who had organised the flyer.

He said: "Just say it's the grassroots.'' The leaflet -- being distributed around Hamilton -- warns that "taking the bait of British passports will open the door to all of Europe.'' The Government, in its official submission to the UK Government after UK Foreign Secretary Robin Cook announced a massive rewrite of relations with its Overseas Territories, welcomed UK hints of easier access to the UK.

Government, however, added that easier access could be achieved without full British passports.

And the submission was firm that any better deal for current holders of almost-useless British Dependent Territories Citizens' passports could never be conditional on reciprocal arrangements with Britain or its European allies.

The leaflet also appears to be out-of-date on the UK's current relationship with the European Union -- by more than 20 years.

It asks what will happen when "when Britain becomes part of the European Union.'' The UK became the sixth member of the then-Common Market in the early 1970s.

The text also points out that wages in Britain are lower than those on the Island, but omits that the cost of living in the UK is lower of that in high-rent, high-cost Bermuda.

The leaflet even takes a crack at the weather in chilly Europe. The front shows a Bermudian in traditional shorts and Hawaiian shirt standing ankle-deep in snow.

The leaflets says: "And remember this -- the summers are short and the winters are long in Europe.

"Then again, maybe you would like tanning at 30 degrees below zero. Think about that.'' IMMIGRATION IMM GOVERNMENT GVT