Independence, when it does come to Bermuda, will mean that the Bermuda Government would have to take over responsibility for external affairs, defence and internal security.

The additional responsibilities will come at a cost, observers agree, but in the case of foreign affairs Government would have a slew of options that could keep the costs down.

“It depends on how you want to live. If you want to live high on the hog it will be very expensive,” said Shadow Housing Minister Wayne Furbert.

“But if you want to be a meek and humble nation, and not get all the bells and whistles, then I don't think it will be expensive at all.”

Besides finding ways to represent locals abroad, Bermuda would also have to carve out its own foreign policy positions on global events and realities.

Premier Alex Scott's announcement - on his return from Caricom's Heads of Governments meeting - that he supported Caricom's position on Haiti, provoked criticism from Government House and the Opposition because as a colony Bermuda has no right to have its own foreign policy.

Independence advocates would remind Bermudians that the Island's colonial status could mean lending support to positions that may not necessarily be held by Bermudians - such as engaging with the apartheid regime in South Africa or being at war with Iraq.

But Independence opponents, like Opposition MP Trevor Moniz, scoff at the idea that Bermuda could hold its own on the world stage.

The Island is just too small and insignificant for it to be taken seriously by world powers, the detractors argue.

“A lot of these things are ego-driven by politicians,” Mr. Moniz said. “I remember people saying Bermuda could take its rightful place on the world stage. What is Bermuda's rightful place on the world stage? It's a bit of a joke. There were some people who imagined we would have similar obligations as the United States. Bermuda does not have the resources to do that.”

And Mr. Moniz believes that with Independence will come huge taxpayer bills to fund countless unnecessary trips abroad, and champagne parties - but naturally not if his own party takes Bermuda to Independence.

According to Rolfe Commissiong, “it is only right and very timely “ for Bermuda - with its considerable clout as an international business centre - to take over foreign affairs.

And having to carve out foreign policy positions would force Bermuda out of its insularity, he said.

“Increasingly, the perception in the community is that no other entity can protect our interests better than ourselves. And, as Bermuda emerges as a city state, the quite insular character of politics in Bermuda will begin to change,” Mr. Commissiong said.

“Our place in the world, our identity in the world community, would be something we would have to fashion within the context of being an independent nation.”

Bermuda should become a full member of Caricom with Independence, Mr. Commissiong said, as well as become a member of the United Nations.

“I just think that the United Nations itself is still a relevant body and one that is invaluable for not only large countries but even small countries such as ourselves, and so we must have a presence and a voice there,” he said.

“In terms of bilateral relationship we must continue to maintain and cultivate our relationship with the USA, Canada and with the UK and EU. We are still firmly in what I call the Atlantic world, which includes the Caribbean, and so those relationships that have historically played a part will need to be maintained.”

Like other Independence advocates, Mr. Commissiong believes a small diplomatic corps could serve Bermuda's needs quite well.

“The interests we have are international business and tourism so obviously we would have commercial relationship with those countries we do business with which is the United States,” said Mr. Moniz pressed to imagine an Independent Bermuda.

For representation in other countries, Mr. Moniz is suggesting a relationship with the British embassy, which, he hastened to point out, already exists.

“That's why Independence doesn't make sense. There may be some areas where there are conceivably benefits such as air routes. We might have some small benefits ... I just don't see they outweigh the likely expenses and disadvantages.”

Mr. Furbert said he would want to see embassies in London, New York and Toronto to represent the interests of Bermudians.

But even in those cities the Island could use its already existing Tourism offices, he added.

But Bermuda would still have to find a way to represent people in other parts of the world.

How would locals, stuck in Sierra Leone, get help?

“We would be interdependent. We would have to rely on the US and UK, and we would still be in the Commonwealth,” said Mr. Furbert.

He said his preference would be to have a small presence in America, Canada and United Kingdom but no direct presence in the Caribbean.

“If we remain a member of Caricom then the membership body should help protect our people won't they? I would hope so.”

And in a handful of other areas Bermuda could have honorary consuls - held by Bermudians living and working in the host country.

A UBP position paper in the mid 1990s said that the UK Government typically provides representation for newly independent territories for one year after the big day. “After that Bermudians in difficulty in Commonwealth countries would be able to approach the British Government for help,” the paper states.

Bermuda could have Britain continue to provide representation in non-Commonwealth countries - and pay all expenses - as it does now, the paper added.

As for membership in international organisations, Mr. Furbert said Bermuda should hold on to the ones it already holds and be a full member of the Commonwealth.

“Bermuda right now runs very well on the organisations we currently have relationships with.

“We definitely don't need to be a full member of the United Nations. I don't think we should be attending all the meetings. We should have the least level of membership as possible,” he said.

Former US Consul General Denis Coleman was asked whether the United States might be interested in providing consular service around the world for Bermudian travellers.

“The question has never been asked and I can't respond,” he said. “Surely the US will be happy to be helpful when it can, whether it be picking up people at sea or anything else. Where we can be constructive that's also part of the policy.”