Independent Bermuda?

Bermuda's 42,000 voters will go to the polls on Tuesday in an election touted as a referendum on the leadership style of Premier Ewart Brown, who was sworn in October last year. 

Recent polls suggest a close race between the ruling Progressive Labour Party (PLP), in power since 1998, and the United Bermuda Party (UBP), with the PLP hoping to increase its current majority of 22 seats to 14 for the UBP.  However, despite the closeness of opinion polls (which point to a fourth term for the PLP), voters are sharply divided on race and economic lines, with 70.2% of blacks (who make up some two-thirds of the population) and only 0.9% of whites supporting the PLP.  By contrast, 76.6% of whites and 7.2% of blacks support the UBP, which also enjoys strong support among the business community.  The PLP leads strongly among voters whose household income is below 100,000 dollars.

Although Brown is credited with boosting tourism and improving transport links, a key issue in this election will be the question of independence from the United Kingdom, despite the fact that recent opinion polls continue to show that the majority are opposed to such a move.  The PLP insists that independence is a 'long-term' goal, and that the government will only pursue it if and when popular support increases.  However, the UBP claims the PLP could force through an independence bill if it wins a new term, and promises to hold a referendum on the issue should it manage to regain office.

Bermuda has one of the highest standards of living in the world, with low inflation and officially no unemployment.  However, inadequate performance in the areas of education, housing provision and discrimination remains a thorny issue, while the lack of opportunities for black youth has been blamed for a rise in crime that could make the island a less attractive destination for international business.