Bermuda Democratic Alliance supports the outlawing of discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation, new leader Craig Cannonier revealed yesterday.

Mr. Cannonier told The Royal Gazette his party believes the Human Rights Act should be amended to reflect equality and inclusiveness, two of the BDA's most important core values.

Meanwhile, the politician said the people should decide the way forward on the key matters of Independence and conscription — although he said the Alliance's stance on some issues would not be revealed until the constitution is ratified in the coming days.

Speaking about human rights, Mr. Cannonier said: "When I look at our core values, one of the major ones is inclusiveness. BDA believes in rights of all humans, regardless of their backgrounds, regardless of their persuasions.

"We believe that everyone should have the dignity of equal human rights."

Campaigners want sexual orientation added as a protected ground under the Human Rights Act, but former Progressive Labour Party MP Renee Webb's attempt to do that failed in the House of Assembly four years ago.

In its debut Throne Speech reply last November, the BDA called for a robust debate on the Human Rights Act. Asked if he supported adding sexual orientation to the Act, Mr. Cannonier said yesterday: "That's right. I do not believe that we have the right to discriminate against any human being.

"If he's not breaking the law, then what right do I have to discriminate against him?"

He said BDA is still debating its position on conscription, but reflected: "I think it's up to the people."

And on Independence, he said: "That's been buried for a while. That's a decision for the people of Bermuda. It's my belief it can only be done through referendum.

"Personally, someone said to me if it's not broke don't fix it, but I'm of the mind of progression like any other country who's dependent, they believe in the future and progress, and that progress includes Independence. Many of the great minds of the world became independent to progress.

"Natural progress for Bermuda would probably be to embody Independence. However, what's the best thing for Bermuda is still to be determined."

For more from Mr. Cannonier, including his thoughts on leading the BDA from outside the House of Assembly, see tomorrow's Royal Gazette.