Three former political heavyweights yesterday reacted warmly to the idea of a Bermudian Governor.

But only one -- former Senate President Hugh Richardson -- declared he would accept the position.

"I would do so on a temporary basis,'' he told The Royal Gazette last night.

Former Premier Sir John Sharpe and founding PLP member Arnold Francis were more cagey.

"It's nice to be remembered, but it's too hypothetical to say whether I would accept,'' laughed Sir John.

Mr. Francis, meanwhile, said: "I don't know, it would have to be a conference matter where I consult with others who would be affected by such a decision, such as my wife.

"I think, however, I would have to give it serious thought.'' Mr. Richardson, Sir John and Mr. Francis were among a list of four potential Bermudian Governors proposed by the Committee for the Independence of Bermuda.

Their names have been forwarded to the UK Government.

The fourth was former Senator Norma Astwood, now living in Barbados. She could not be reached for comment last night.

This week the Independence committee, led by Walton Brown, criticised the appointment of Mr. Thorold Masefield as Governor.

Mr. Brown said he was displeased the UK Government had overlooked suitable Bermudians.

"Under the Bermuda Constitution the British Government must appoint a Governor, but there is no requirement that the individual be a British citizen or indeed that British Dependent Territories Citizens -- which is the status we hold -- be excluded from this office.'' Mr. Brown said there was precedence in British colonial history for such an appointment.

He cited the case of Sir Rupert John appointed Governor of St. Vincent and the Grenadines in 1970.

"Bermuda has a long history of social, political and economic stability and a corruption free judiciary,'' he added.

"At a time when the British Government is exercising its discretion by indicating it may increase the powers of its Governors in the Caribbean Dependent Territories it demonstrated poor judgement and insensitivity by imposing yet another British Governor upon us.'' Sir John yesterday said he spoke to Britain about 20 years ago about the prospect of a Bermudian Governor.

"I was Premier then, so there was no question of me being Governor. Britain's response was no to a Bermudian Governor, because they said `we are not going to have a Governor who may have a conflict of interest between our interests and Bermuda's interests'.

"They went on to say that Britain would only agree to a Bermudian Governor during the run-up to Independence.

"In other words if Bermuda had agreed and accepted Independence and it was just a matter of one, two or three years before Independence then Britain would agree to a Bermudian Governor.

Ex-politicians support idea of Bermudian Governor "That was their position then. I don't know whether it has changed.'' Sir John said he still thought a Bermudian Governor was a good idea.

"I can understand Britain's position although I did argue at the time that there were Bermudians of sufficient integrity.'' Mr. Francis agreed there were precedents to a Bermudian Governor.

"I certainly do not think it's a farcical idea, having regard to precedents.

There is also precedent in the Island of St. Kitt's where a local person had been appointed prior to Independence.'' Mr. Francis did not know whether most Bermudians would welcome the idea of a local Governor.

"I cannot say that. While I'm flattered to be considered for such an eminent post I disavow being a willing candidate.'' Mr. Francis added: "I note there will be a conference of dependent territories in Bermuda shortly.

"When you look at the other territories we in Bermuda like to think we are far more sophisticated than those other dependent territories.

"It is in a sense ironic that Bermuda is still grouped with those territories, like the Turks and Caicos. Need I say more.'' Mr. Richardson said: "As a Bermudian and founding member of the Progressive Labour Party of course I support a Bermudian as a Governor.

"But none of us in the PLP had planned to be a Governor of a dependent territory.

"We were planning to have a Governor of a Independent territory. It's ridiculous.'' Mr. Richardson was scathing about his party's boycott of the last Independence referendum.

"How could any sensible human being support it?''