In March, in a formal proposal, the United Kingdom...

In March, in a formal proposal, the United Kingdom said its 13 remaining colonies must scrap the death penalty, drop laws against homosexuality and end secretive banking rules if they want the prestige and security of remaining British. The strongest reaction has been in Bermuda, where some people suggested the island might be better off going it alone. "We need a referendum to decide whether or not the country wants to be tied to the United Kingdom," former Premier Pamela Gordon said. "If not, then the only choice would be independence." Bermuda's Premier, Jennifer Smith, said she finds "nothing threatening in Britain's plan but wants to study the demand for the abolition of the death penalty". However, John Barritt, a legislator from her party, said he may have to reconsider his opposition to independence.