Arrow-right Camera
The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Votes For Independence Come Up Short In Bermuda

Paul Egan Associated Press

The sun of the British Empire won’t be setting over Bermuda just yet.

Voters in this mid-Atlantic island colony overwhelmingly rejected independence from Britain. Premier John Swan, who supported independence, kept his promise and stepped down Thursday as leader of the governing party, and will soon be replaced as head of government as well.

With all 22,236 ballots from the Wednesday voting counted, 74 percent opposed independence and 26 percent favored it. Voter turnout was just 54 percent in the referendum, which was delayed a day because of Hurricane Felix.

Sen. Gary Pitman, chairman of the governing United Bermuda Party, said a search for a successor to Swan will begin with a party caucus today. Swan will quit as premier when one is chosen, probably later this month.

Swan has led Bermuda for nearly 14 years. His party, in power since 1964, took no position on independence.

Tourism Minister C.V. Woolridge, an opponent of independence, was a strong contender to succeed Swan. He said Swan’s quest for independence made Bermuda “the laughing stock of the world.”