The Independence Train

Question: You're the head of a small British colony, prosperous in many ways, but labouring under the pressure of a severe housing crisis, a rising tide of crime and a collapse in revenue from foreign tourists. Your government was returned to power in a general election last year, but with a reduced share of the popular vote; you got your job only after a palace coup deposed your previous leader just days after the election. Your administration is the subject of two police investigations for fraud, one of which may implicate you directly. You have no army with which to launch an invasion of a Middle-Eastern country. What do you do?

If you're Premier Alex Scott of Bermuda, you bring up the subject of independence, of course. Ah, independence. The very sound of it is enough to get hearts racing and make pulses quicken. A grand vision to inspire the troops, so much easier than finding somewhere to build new homes, stopping your people going after each other with machetes, or finding ways to persuade foreigners to pay over the odds for a glorified beach holiday with nothing to do at night.

Despite the moderate tone struck by Premier Scott yesterday when he urged the country to enter into a national discussion on independence, no-one can have any doubt about his goal. The PLP was founded on the dream of independence for Bermuda and despite calling for a public debate, nothing is going to change their mind on the subject.

I confess I struggle to understand the benefits of independence to Bermuda, aside from wooly-minded appeals to national pride. It seems ironic that a country so heavily dependent on the outside world (were it not for international business and, to a lesser extent, tourism, the economy of Bermuda would collapse) can be so keen on independence. Bermuda has no natural resources and little human capital to sell to the rest of the world.

Moreover, in renouncing its colonial status, Bermudians would also be throwing away their right to live, work and start businesses in the UK or EU. This may be a right older, more insular Bermudians may not care for, but their more ambitious, worldly-wise children and grand-children are unlikely to thank them for discarding it. In 2002, shortly after all Bermudians were granted the right to full British citizenship, 24-year-old Bermudian Sean Smatt was asked by the Royal Gazette what it meant to him.

"Now I can work in London and in the other major European cities," he said. "To get a breadth of experience some time has to be spent elsewhere but I plan to bring those skills home."

Denied that opportunity there's a real danger that Bermudians will find it even harder to gain the kinds of skills that would make them competitive in the global marketplace and would benefit Bermuda if brought home.

As Alex Scott put it, "the [independence] train is preparing to leave the station". Let's debate its destination, by all means. But for Bermuda's sake, I hope we never get there.

Comments

[Nitjanirasu on 01.03.04 at 23:42]

The economy wouldn't so much collapse as cease to exist. It would just vanish.

Also, just how would they deal with the whole citizenship issue? I can't imagine that they would look through all sixty-odd thousand citizenships to figure out who was what sort of citizen, so would they revoke the british citizenship of every bermudian, even if they are, indeed british (I would suppose that people who would want to retain their citizenship could apply for something to retain it...so much paperwork...)

p.s. you failed to mention that not only do we have no natural resources, but we have to import everything. Literally. And that we really don't have any diplomatic capabilities...

...at any rate, I'm sure that Kerry would love an independant Bermuda. :)

[True person on 02.03.04 at 18:02]

This website seems to be for the right wing, white supremacist, racist old white bloke, who like to enslave the black Bermudans and also deny them the right to have a fair go in their own land (by denying them affirmative action).

Why is it that when the black man tries to get their independence, white racist people deny them that right.

Bermudan people of color have every right to seek their own independence, just as any white country.

Racist White people hold the belief that people of color (red, yellow, brown, black, and Jewish) lack the ability to govern themselves.

But, I say it is the whites who do not know how to govern. After all white civilization came so late in the world scene, lacking behind by thousands of years the great black African, Asian, Indigenous Native American civilizations , which were at the peak of world civlization, when White people were living in caves, eating raw meat, and stinking bad.

Black people have the right to be self-governing, just like any white people.

In fact, black people are far more civilized then racist white people, who only like to steal, plunder, do genocide, act lazy, and enslave people of color.

Let Bermudans decide for themselves what is right and since 65% of the countries population are people of color, I am sure Bermudans will decide what is best for them.

What kind of a right wing racist web site is this anyway? This kind of subtle racism should make unracist people cringe.

Besides, many countries also import things as well.

Look at island nations and territories like Jamaica, Japan, etc. But hard working black Bermudans, through their ingenious ability, will manage just fine.

White advice is not needed in such a decision, which should involve all Bermudans. Apparently the guy who wrote this article, feels more like a white anglo than a bermudan.

All skills in Bermuda is possessed by the people of color. Besides, the racist white man only wants to exploit black people and treat them with disrespect.

Let black Bermudans decide what their own future is. We do not need advice from cranky old white man, who think they are living in the imperialist days of the 1800's.

This is 2004 for crying out loud. Learn to respect people of color and respect the decisions they make. Learn to respect people of color, who include the black, red, yellow, brown, and Jewish people.

[Nitjanirasu on 02.03.04 at 19:06]

True Person, you are a racist pig.

You are obsessed with race.

You believe that a person should be dictated by the color of their skin.

You believe that it actually has some bearing on what a person is capable of.

[Nitjanirasu on 02.03.04 at 19:13]

Damn it...I hate racists. Ooh, look, you got me to swear! That's how much I hate you.
I apologise to everybody else who reads this blog. I am departing for now, because I am debating against a person who is beneath any normal person.
Oh, True Person, take note of what I just said: NORMAL person. The average person is, as you pointed out, has dark skin. So, it is not that you are beneath me because you may have darker skin, you also beneath black people, asians, etc. You never experienced things such as slavery. You know nothing about what it is like to be a slave. Have you ever even experienced racism, I wonder?
I am leaving now, toodles.

[The Limey on 02.03.04 at 20:25]

True Person - I really didn't want to get dragged into this debate. Clearly no argument is going to persuade you to moderate your views or that there are any decent white men in the world. But I feel the need to point of few things out.

One: by referring to the people of Bermuda as 'Bermudans', not 'Bermudians' as the locals refer to themselves, you reveal your lack of knowledge of our Island. Given that, how can you claim to know what's best for Bermuda?

Two: Bermuda currently has a government that is entirely black. They've been in power for the last five years. The Premier is black, and every single member of the Cabinet is black. Were you aware of that?

Three: Call me right wing, white supremacist and racist if you must, but just be aware that I'm 32 years old and don't take kindly to be called 'old'.

Four: If you must call me racist, at least do me the courtesy of reading my posts on Race Relations first. In Affirmative Action I suggested Government should set up programmes to improve the skills and abilities of disadvantaged black companies to better allow them to compete directly with the white ones. In Use Of Weapons I called for race to be removed from politics, not used by any politician for political advantage. In The Politics Of Right And Left I said if the PLP (which is the current party of government, made up almost entirely of black people) was brimming with ideas on how to make Bermuda a better place I'd vote for them over the white party in a second. I'm not sure how these views make me a bigoted white racist, but I'm sure you'll let me know.

[Jason on 02.03.04 at 21:24]

True person is either a complete idiot or an internet troll. What the f*&^ does race have to do with Bermuda independence. Maybe CBS should start casting for Survior Bermuda : The IQ Challenge.

[True person on 03.03.04 at 16:46]

Why is it that the white man gets angry and starts to shout, whenever a nation leaves their empire?

Granted, UK let most of her colonial possessions go, unlike France, which is still holding on to them like there is no tommorrow.

Britain did decolonize, but now black people, would like to see the decolonization of Anguilla, Montserrat, Turks and Caicos, Cayman Islands, British Virigin Islands, Bermuda, Saint Helena and Ascension.

These are all black states, with black majorities. I do not think that black people, would like to live under the domination of a white majority country.

As black people, we would like to see people of our race freed and hopefully in time, most of the above states would become independent.

Hopefully, Bermuda would attain sovereign status in 5 years.

[sensible person on 04.03.04 at 20:56]

Good grief True Person...

The English (yep, expat) half of me wishes Bermuda would go independant.

Then this country would disappear even further down the toilet than it already is and it would show the people who share your mindset, and this lame excuse for a government, what imbeciles you all are.

The half of me that has lived and enjoyed Bermuda for the best part of the last decade gets really pissed off cos I have no power to vote these wankers out of government. They are all crooks. If I ever heard of a case of abusing ones power, the PLP of today takes the biscuit.

How can you say the UK dominate? The only time the motherland has interjected recently is with the AG appointment and sensibly, the UK sided with the Governer and appointed Mr Ground. The last paragraph of Mr Phil Cracknell's Letter to the Editor dated 13th January 2004 sums that whole situation up *perfectly*.

True Person, Get your head out of the PLP's ass and think for yourself. The PLP are all about chest beating and getting their name into the history books. They dont care about you. They care only about themselves.

Where would Montserrat be without Britain in 1997?

Where would the Falklands have been without Britain in 1982?

Where would Tristan da Cunha have been without Britain in 1961?

You can bet your ass that those countries dont want independance. Black/white/whatever - that's irrelevent.

Look where Jamaica is now after 40 odd years of independance. Look where Haiti is 200 years after independance...Is that what you want for Bermuda.

Think ahead 100 years from now when Bermuda's coast has all but eroded away - a few more knocks like Fabian will see to that. You think you've got a housing problem now? Where are you going to swim to?

Think ahead only 10 years when Bermuda is a crime and drug ridden place. NIMBY?? I dont think so - it's happening NOW. Wake up and smell the crack.

Notice I am not banging the UBPs drum....My personal opinion is that we should give Maggie a 3 year work permit for the top job.

Go for it. Be independant. Fill your boots. You Bermudians are the ones that'll have to deal with it. Just make sure you've got a good reason for doing it. Remember, Britain dosent need Bermuda.

I'll be in Cayman.

Cheers!

[true person on 04.03.04 at 23:30]

Yes, that is what we really want. Leave this country. This country is for the black man and black race.

I have at least managed to get the truth out of you. You said mother land to UK.

That means you are not loyal to Bermuda, but to UK and the white race.

People like you are really not needed here. We need members of the black race, who truly love this country to become the leaders of this nation. Thus, we have a great party like the PLP.

The PLP party reminds me of the ANC party in apartheid South Africa. Against tremendous odds and white racism, this great party for the ordinary person of color, is doing things for members of the society, who rightfully deserves to be the true inheritors of this land: that is the black race.

Yes, this country is multiracial, but as majorities, black people should decide what their future would hold. You want to go to the Cayman islands, go then.

But, leave this country of Bermuda for the true inheritors of the land, the people who really made it rich and wealthy, the black people.

Your bigotry shows quite clearly. Redneck white supremacist racists people like you should really belong to the KKK (Ku Klax Klan).

You claim that black majority countries like Jamaica cannot govern themselves. You claim that black people cannot rule themselves. Somehow being white makes you better able to govern yourselves.

Just dream on sucker for very soon with mass migration, black people and other people of color will become the majority in your fatherland. Who knows, a black man may become the leader of your nation.

Then we will see, where racist white people such as yourself, who claim that black people are corrupt and cannot govern themselves be.

[Nitjanirasu on 04.03.04 at 23:45]

I think the solution is obvious: we ALL leave, back to our ancestral homelands. Totally abandon Bermuda. What do you think of that idea, True Person?

Oh, and by ancestral, I don't mean a few generations. I can track my family line in Bermuda back many centuries, so don't try to say something like "Bermuda is my ancestral homeland".

[The Limey on 05.03.04 at 07:52]

True person - Please do not lie and try to paint yourself as a Bermudian when your earlier comments very clearly established that you are not. I don't mind you making the argument for affirmative action and independence, but at least do it honestly.

That said, for a member of McMaster University, I'm disappointed by your ignorance and bigotry. You are not a good advertisement for your place of education.

[Nitjanirasu on 05.03.04 at 13:32]

Phil! You're messing up the game!

[true person on 05.03.04 at 20:01]

It does not matter where I am from.

But as a person of color, as a person belonging to the group, whose race was enslaved by white racist bigots and white supremacists, who not only stole our labor, and enslaved our women, but also stole the lands and committed genocide and holocaust against the yellow, brown, black, red, and Jewish peoples of the world for the last two centuries, racist white people have no right to claim that they have any moral superiority over us, the people of color, who are now 5.2 billion strong, soon to be 8 billion strong.

If Bermuda wants to be a sovereign nation and if the PLP party wants it at that, that is what it should be. Black people in Bermuda have suffered enough discrimination and bigotry, brought about by 500+ years of slavery and apartheid treatment, compounded by acts of heiounous human rights abuse, which were committed by white people in Africa, Asia, the Americas, Australia, Oceania, and Siberia during the last half a millenium.

Are racist white people saying they owe nothing to african-descended people, whose labor has made you rich? The Racist white man enslaved them and stole their labor for hundreds of years!

Even you claim that affirmative action is wrong now, because it tries to give at least something to black people, from whom white people stole for so long.

What have racist white people given in return to the black man? It was hard working black people who, with their hard work and dedication built the likes of ancient Rome, bermuda, the americas?

Do you even have a black friend? What racist thing do you talk about black people, behind their backs? Can you honestly say that you are not a racist, when you set up a discussion forum, where you blamed affirmative action for my fellow black brothers and sisters, despite the reason that it helps disadvantaged people to get a leg up and at least give them some assistance in a racist world, where white people have been enslaving black people for so long and using them as mere mere chattels to work as SLAVES in plantations, in houses as servants and cooks, as mere slaves!

Once racist white people learn to respect people of color and agree and admit to the mass injustices, which have been committed to the black, red, yellow, brown, Jewish peoples, who were all extermintated and genocided by white people in the last 500 + years and whose lands were stolen by the white race, and most importantly, once racist white people support affirmatice action, which you did not agree to, should black people learn to treat racist white people with the dignity, which the racist white man never gave to them (that is, black people).

Some racist white people even claim that black people in Jamaica and other black countries cannot even rule themselves.
Just for their information, we, the people of color had civilizations of far greater geniousness, such as Empire of Mali, Axiom, Zulu, China, Aztec, Inca, Maya, Japan, India, at a time when white people did not even know how to cook and when they lived in caves and mud huts.

We, the people of color are heirs to vast empires, such as the Zulu empire, Mali empire, San and Khoisan empire (in Southern Africa), the Mongol Empire, Aztec empire, Chinese empire, when the white man's only empire was his tiny village and mud hut!

We had great cities and civilization and granted, we lost the edge in the last 200 years, we are now coming up again and becoming strong.

Our population is increasing and we are becoming more educated and we are regaining our once greatness of the past, when the black, red, yellow, brown, and Jewish race ruled the world, with their geniousness, brilliance, and greatness.

In the greater scheme of human history, the white race has ruled the world for only 200 years (from 1800 - 2000). The last 2 centuries.

But, we the people of color (black, red, yellow, brown, Jewish races) have ruled the world for 10,000,000 years from 10,000,000 BC to 1800 AD.

We are regaining our power and soon, we the people of color (black, red, yellow, brown, Jewish races) will regain our former greatness.

We will not allow ourselves to be enslaved and herded into slave ships to become chattel to serve the white man in his plantations, farms, and factories.

That is how bermuda was built, over the backs of hard working and innocent black man and women, who paid for it's present wealth and status. Black people are the true inheritors of this great land. They are the ones who built it, with their sweat and bare hands.

[Nitjanirasu on 05.03.04 at 20:13]

*yawn**yawn* yeah, yeah "black people created everything" you've already told us about your mythology, c'mon, we want something new!

Oh, by the way, I'm not even going to bother correcting this one. Let's just chalk it up as another win for Nit.

[Loquat on 05.03.04 at 21:50]

Trueperson. Being that you are not Bermudian, and have probably never visited our country, how can you possibly know what we want? As it happens, most of us have no interest in independence. The current poll is nearly 75% against, and about 19% for. This has nothing to do with race, much though certain politicians would have us believe otherwise, and everything to do with the fact that no matter what, we are completely dependent on the outside world, that we cannot manage on our own, and that our economy is a precarious balance between tourism and international business, either or both of which may desert us on a moments notice. There are other, rational reasons not to go independant, which I won't go into here.

Now, I am not proud that my ancestors kept slaves, if indeed they did. I find the idea abhorrent. Bermuda was settled by white people, and at no time were there more slaves than white people (I do not have the statistics on white indentured servants. Oddly enough, they do not seem to be available.) Taking this into account, I find it hard to believe that our country was built by the labour of blacks alone.

However, all these things are done and gone. We cannot go back and change them. True, they affect the present, but dwelling on them is going to get us no-where. Why do you obsess so over the past? And why do you talk of it as though it were some golden age, without prejudice or racism or slaughter?

The past is something we are supposed to learn from, that we not repeat it, but you tread dangerously close to doing just that. Your blatant racism is saddening and not helping anyone. And why are you so convinced that white people are the only one's capable of racism? What of the Untouchables in India? Or the burakumin in Japan? I doubt you will find members of either of these groups running their countries, as do black people in Bermuda.

As it happens, we do have black friends, and I will tell you a thing that I have never told anyone. The first guy I was ever at all attracted to was black. Before you leap to any conclusions, I have not told because I do not want him to find out, for reasons of my own which are unrelated to his race. You are trying to draw a line between people, but it is a line which can exist only in one's mind. I don't see the line. It upsets me when I meet people who do, and it upsets me more when they try to make me see it too.

I am fully aware that people are being discriminated against. Hated. That there is prejudice, and resentment, and frustration, and anger without reason. In case any of us were beginning to forget, you have made it blatantly clear again. But that doesn't mean that we have to join in.

[True person on 05.03.04 at 22:00]

Loquat, I have nothing against you. You are a white woman and hence you are an allie of the people of color (black, red, yellow, brown, and Jewish peoples).

Yes, these racist things happened in the past. But, they do happen, though not in an egregious fashion today, but in subtle forms.

Again, since you are a white educated woman, you are our allie.

But, I am angry not at you, nor at every member of the white testosterone full white man, but the right wing, racist, bigoted white man.

So, in short you are our allie, being an educated and intelligent white woman and all, and those leftist white men, who support affirmative action are also our allie. But, not the racist, greedy, rightwing, bigoted white man.

Yes, bermuda is multiracial. But I do not understand, why this fear for independence.

After all look at the beautiful, Bahamas, what a shining example of black nation it really is. Beautiful education system, great social welfare system, etc, etc. This great nation of Bahamas is run by black people and about 15% of its population in black.

Even bermuda is fully selg-governing, although external affairs are handled by Britain.

In this world of globalization and where everyone and every nation are interconnected, Bermudans should not be so strongly connected with the past, a painful past at that, that is slavery.

[White Female Bermudian on 05.03.04 at 22:44]

True person – I think we’ve heard it all before in your earlier posts. You’re not arguing anything new. In fact you are debating nothing as you have failed to respond to any points raised by the large number of people that have challenged your views. Instead you shrug them off and continue on your rampage. To completely ignore direct challenges says to me that you are unable to respond and therefore weakens your entire case.

I’ve had enough of your continual belittling of the white race and am certainly fed up with you throwing aside or ignoring challenges made to your argument. I will not be reading your comments anymore and hope that other readers of A Limey in Bermuda will do the same. While I wanted to better understand where you are coming from, you have failed to provide me and your readers with that opportunity.

You talk constantly about white people respecting people of colour, but how can you personally possibly expect to receive any respect from white people when you are as disrespectful as you are to the white commenters on this blog? You have no respect from me at all.

I am a teacher who works in a predominantly black school. Most of my colleagues are also black. My students and colleagues have my utmost respect and I demand the same of my students as their teacher.

I feel sorry for you living with such anger. What a depressing life you must lead. I am damn proud of who I am and hope that all people (black, white and green) feel that way about themselves.

[Loquat on 06.03.04 at 19:10]

Truperson, most of the reason we don't want to be independant is that we are self-governing. If Britain directed our every move, we would object. But the only time they so much as say 'hello' is when our government is about to do something particuarly stupid, in which case we are glad to have someone tell them off.

The other reason is that we reap enourmous benefits from being a 'dependancy.' For starters, any Bermudian who wants to may live and work in the European Union and the UK. Even if you only go for a few years in order to gain experience in your chosen field, this is a huge opportunity.

Secondly, it gives our country an aura of stability, particuarly in the eyes of businesmen. Because we are part of something larger than ourselves, yet self-governing, we have both the stability and flexibility to accomodate their companies.

The Bahamas gets most of their money from Tourism. Unfortunately, for a variety of reasons, our tourist trade is failing. If it cannot be revived, we will be entirely dependant on the internationsl businesses who choose to base themselves here.

And were we to do something they thought weakened our stability, if we made ourselves somehow a less perfect place to locate, they would flee like rats from a sinking ship. We are not the only place in the world suited to being base-camp for these companies, simply the best.

To be honest, I see the question of Bermuda becoming independant as being simply a matter of pride. And if people cannot take pride in one of the wealthiest, safest, most beautiful places in the world, then I don't see why they think they will be any happier with an independant, but poorer and less content version.

I suppose what I am trying to say is "If it isn't broken, don't fix it."

[Nitjanirasu on 06.03.04 at 19:38]

Addition for Loquat:
"External Affairs are handled by Britain" is a very inaccurate statement. Basically, their involvement in our External Affairs doesn't go much past being a large, rich force backing up what we say. For example, they had no involvement in our associations with Caricom and Cuba (and we haven't had much else in the External Affairs department, save for our ministers running up to the U.S.; again, no involvement from Britain).

[Anonymous Coward on 07.03.04 at 01:02]

I certainly hope that Bermuda doesn't become like the Bahamas (Nassau / New Providence anyway). I rather like the fact that my windows don't have bars on them, and that I still feel safe walking down Front St. late at night.

[big bad wolf on 07.03.04 at 11:44]

OH My God--how did I miss this big car wreck of stupidy--All the human race has been terrible at times to another tribe or race--Human brutality is well documented--On the race card issue--I just say "Ruanda and Biafra!" Independence is no big deal for Bermuda--It means we control our air landing rights and we appoint a Govenor General! Three embassies,Washington,London,Ottawa, and an agrreement with the UK that If a Bermudian gets in trouble abroad we can have thier help on a case by case bases at our cost!

[Concerned on 07.03.04 at 12:58]

big bad wolf,

Do you own property in Bermuda?

TruePerson is still hiding in school suckling his parents finacial teat and having his head filled with racial stupidity. No doubt he is studying political science being taught by left wing professors who likewise are hiding in their safe little university world.

I couldn't care less about his need to get even with white people, or even attempting to argue with him.

I am simply trying to raise my family and keep a roof over their heads.

Your simplified view of Independence on this island is just that...simplified.

I worry about the effect Independence will have on this island's economy. I know for a fact that the business community on this island is very nervous about the whole idea. If they leave property values will rapidly decline. This has a direct effect on me personally and my family.

What will happen to the Bermuda dollar? Will it be devalued?

If it is "no big deal" then why do it? So we can sing our national anthem at football games so that we can feel national pride? Nationalism is second only to religion for causing bloodshed in humanity's history. Just look at what it did to the Balkan region very recently.

I feel pride knowing my children are fed and well educated. THAT is what I am worried about.

[Ken on 18.04.04 at 08:07]

"Denied that opportunity [to work in the UK and EU] there's a real danger that Bermudians will find it even harder to gain the kinds of skills that would make them competitive in the global marketplace and would benefit Bermuda if brought home."

Huh?? There are loads of Australians, New Zealanders and South Africans working in London. Okay, many have dual citizenship (as Bermudians would, presumably, be allowed to have), but many don't. It reall is a case of the Empire striking back.

"Granted, UK let most of her colonial possessions go, unlike France, which is still holding on to them like there is no tommorrow [sic]."

Rubbish. Does France still rule Senegal? Madagascar? Vietnam?

The reason why Martinique, Guadeloupe, French Guiana, Reunion are still French is because they WANT to be. They became integral parts of France as Overseas Departments in 1946, not because of the government in Paris, but because that's what they WANTED.

Compare that with how the Brits treat St Helena, which doesn't even have an airport, and whose people are treated like dirt.

"Where would the Falklands have been without
Britain in 1982?"

Prior to 1982, the Foreign Office was busting its gut to lease back the Falklands to Argentina Hong Kong-stylee. If the junta hadn't invaded, there'd be a sky blue and white flag flying over those islands.

Our good friends in the FO, in case you didn't notice, have also been screwing the people of Gibraltar, in spite of a 98 per cent referendum result AGAINST sovereignty with Spain.

[Tiger Bay on 25.05.04 at 09:36]

From Cayman Islands news:

UN cries freedom to contented Caribbean colonies
Monday, May 24, 2004
UNITED NATIONS: Unable or unwilling to play an effective role towards regime change in Iraq, this week the United Nations launches a week of "Solidarity with the Peoples of Non-Self-governing Territories" in a drive to "liberate" them.

The UN has sworn to make the world’s 16 remaining colonies independent whether their inhabitants like it or not. Describing colonialism as "an anachronism in the 21st century," UN Secretary General Kofi Annan said, "Decolonisation is a UN success story but it is a story that is not yet finished. We must see the process through to its end."

More than 80 nations formerly under colonial rule have become independent since the UN was formed in 1945.

"The decolonisation efforts of the United Nations derive from the principle of equal rights and self-determination of peoples," the UN says.

But the problem for UN purists is that most of the colonies are either too small to be viable, or are populated by people who do not want to be independent.

Almost half of the 16 remaining colonies are in the Caribbean region and the UN list includes the US territory of the Virgin Islands and the British territories of Anguilla, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Montserrat, and the Turks and Caicos Islands.

Some could not function without hefty subsidies from the administering countries but Bermuda is one of the exceptions in that it is economically sound and the 65,000-strong population of Bermuda enjoys one of the highest living standards in the world.

In Bermuda there is disagreement among the parties over independence. Earlier this year Prime Minister Alex Scott backed the UN’s call for decolonisation. He said that the Progressive Labour Party (PLP) had long favoured independence "and that position has not changed".

But opposition leader Grant Gibbons said that the UN had no business "telling the people of Bermuda what’s good for us. We are a sophisticated and mature people and it’s a matter for Bermudians to decide when and how we wish to move to independence".

[ricwine on 22.03.05 at 22:08]

WOW come on guys

just invade England. Scotland got its Parliment, Wales has the assembley and Ireland is still a disater. So storm the beaches of England and Claim Asylum !!. Free Housing , Health Care and pensions but importantely.............moan moan moan. The English 'the most racist people on earth' . Lazy easy living westerne scum ( straight from the mouth of many a bone idle scheming 'Asylum Seeker )

hang on............just duck down in my trench and avoid the incoming fire........YES YES we need them the UK is in economic decline. So the bosses need more cheap labour which has being solved easily by turning a blind eye to half the worlds 'tortured masses' jumping on the English Isle as if there asses ( black and white ) are on FIRE !

ricwine