Premier Alex Scott's call for a national discussion on Independence is an "old political trick" of distracting the country from poor performance, says Trevor Moniz .

And the Premier, as a "compromise" leader of the ruling party, had to eventually assuage the "more radical fringe" of the Island's first political party.

Mr. Moniz, who has long been against Independence, takes a harsher view than his party leader of Mr. Scott's speech yesterday.

But, while he questioned Mr. Scott's motives, the Opposition parliamentarian said the Premier had to eventually broach the subject which is the "last historical aim of the PLP".

"This was one of their goals. And so far we've seen all the running dogs, the unofficial spokesmen of the party. We've seen the Alvin Williams, the Rolfe Commissiongs, the Julian Halls and even the Bryant Trews have been out there saying let's get Independence," said Mr. Moniz.

"I guess the PLP are in the position of how do we keep the more radical fringe on board ? the people who aren't going to be satisfied by the more moderate PLP agenda."

He said that one criticism of former Premier Jennifer Smith was that she was too moderate, and Mr. Scott had ended up the compromise choice for party leader after last year's power struggle and now had to walk a balance between two camps.

"Alex Scott ended up in the seat of power not because anyone supported him but because he is a compromise candidate between the two camps and one camp takes a radical approach and the other takes a more moderate approach," Mr. Moniz said.

Asked whether he would agree to a national discussion on Independence, he said, he was willing to debate the subject with anyone ? provided it was a rational debate.

"There is no point talking to people who have already said they won't be swayed by rationality, intellectual arguments ... to them it's an article of faith. If someone says I firmly believe in Independence then it's an article of faith, like a religious belief," he said. "Half the people who write these articles say they have no interest in being rational."

He said that the majority of the public were interested in economic stability and that, with a "disappearing" Budget surplus and declining employment for locals "the PLP is heading into dangerous waters".

"How does the PLP re-energise their following? What sort of vision are you going to give them? It's an old political trick that you distract people's attention and get them worrying about some larger, more ephemeral issues ? like Independence. All you're doing is distracting people's attention."