Last week's Dependent Territories talks in London have finished with British Foreign Secretary Robin Cook agreeing that there would be no pre-conditions to UK citizenship.

But should Bermuda and the other territories go along with Britain's recommendations to toughen money laundering laws and abolish corporal and capital punishment? Do Bermudians really want the right to full British citizenship anyway? Architect Stuart Galloway, 50, said: "I think Bermuda got a reasonable deal.

I think we have to be careful not to go too far with our own demands.

"I think we already have money laundering covered and the laws meet international standards. I don't think the European Union should dictate to Britain as to its relationship with its colonies -- they're just a bunch of bureaucrats.'' Hugh Conyers, 43, a salesman from Paget, said: "I think generally it went well but I don't think there should have been such a shopping list of topics.

"For example, I'm for capital punishment -- Bermuda is too small a place for us not to have it. Not having it might suit the UK but that doesn't mean to say we should do the same.

"I also think we should have corporal punishment. But if we can keep these things and still reap the benefits that come with British citizenship that would be good.

"But we shouldn't be dictated to by anyone. I think Bermuda has to forge its own future.'' Accountant Alexander Ming, 33, from Devonshire, argued that the Dependent Territories should adopt the new laws regardless of what was being offered.

"What they are asking of us is nothing out of the ordinary anyway,'' he said.

"Issues such as capital punishment and gay rights laws are being discussed now in the US and parts of Europe and the Caribbean.

"I may have my own views on gays but Bermuda is dependent on the tourist dollar and we shouldn't discriminate against whose dollar we take. We have to be cognizant that these people exist.

"But at the same time we don't want to run the risk of losing our own identity based on some benefits that may be offered in the future.'' Jamie Jared, 28, a chartered accountant from Paget thought the talks were unnecessary.

"Why do we want UK citizenship anyway?'' she said.

"We are completely separate countries. The UK shouldn't be dictating to Bermuda about what laws it has. I believe in capital punishment and I don't think Britain should make Bermuda abolish it.'' Richard Weller, 38, from Warwick, thought the talks went well.

"I think we should go along with what's being asked,'' he said.

"We should toughen the laws on money laundering and get rid of capital punishment anyway.

"And if we can get British citizenship then that's going to benefit a lot of people.'' Karl Perron, 27, an analyst from Southampton, also thought that the offer of British citizenship would benefit many Bermudians.

"I think people would want to go because it will open the door for things like education and work experience which is not available here in Bermuda.

"But I don't think what the UK is asking is realistic. If something is illegal in Britain but legal here I can't see how they will try people for those crimes.'' STREET TALK Hugh Conyers Jamie Jared Alexander Ming Karl Perron Richard Weller