government is considering delaying the Independence referendum until young people are home in December. There are all sorts of arguments about the supposed advantages of such a delay. There was even a suggestion that the UBP wanted time to consult with the Progressive Labour Party, wonders never cease.

Many of the arguments seem to centre around the fact that a fair number of Bermudians travel during July and August and do not want their plans disrupted. That would be a fairly frivolous reason for delaying a referendum on Independence.

We agree that the poll should be held when Bermuda's young people, who now have the vote, are home from colleges. They have been promised that they will be allowed to vote and they must be allowed to vote.

However any delay beyond July would appear to be nothing more than political procrastination. Perhaps it might even be those in favour of Independence are hoping for a miracle. Independence has been "on the front burner'' and under discussion for too long already. Every day that the issue is left undecided is damaging to Bermuda. We think the public wants the issue decided, but public wishes have not counted for much lately in Bermuda.

The situation is confusing and vexed and made all the more confusing now by the Progressive Labour Party asking its followers not to exercise their hard won democratic right to vote. Bermuda must be unique in the history of democracy in asking people not to vote.

Both political parties now seem to be in a losing situation. The UBP is badly split and its parliamentary group is at war over an issue which need not have arisen at this time. The majority of the UBP's supporters will be happy to see Independence defeated at the referendum even if it was raised by their leader.

That is a crazy situation. The PLP is now split between those followers who have wanted Independence for 30 or more years and very much want to vote and want Independence. Yet, for reasons which are still unclear, their leader is asking them not to vote in a referendum on Independence despite the fact that the party supports Independence. That too is a crazy situation.

Clearly neither of the political parties can gain very much from this unnecessary exercise. But much more than that, Bermuda is actually being damaged.

Bermudians are holding on to their cash which means the real estate market is stagnant, the stock exchange is dropping and investment in local business, including tourism, is at a minimum. None of that is healthy.

International business, the second provider of Bermuda's enviable lifestyle, is nervous, confused and feeling somewhat betrayed by changes which affect the industry but in which the industry has no say.

The Country, of course, has been in a losing situation since the beginning of the debate over a year ago. Basically, the majority of Bermudians did not want a discussion of Independence but now that a discussion has been forced on them, they want the matter resolved.

Clearly it should be resolved swiftly for the sake of all of us. Delays threaten our livelihood by making us seem poorly run and unstable. Bermuda's great success has been based on good government and stability. We cannot and must not go on damaging ourselves and it is imperative that we get on with the Country's business.