| Country: | Bermuda |
| Flag Year: | 1910 |
| Are you in favour of independence for Bermuda? | |
| Date: | 16 August 1995 |
| Yes: | 5,714 |
| No: | 16,369 |
| Total: | 22,236 |
| Electorate: | 37,841 |
An independence referendum was held in Bermuda on 16 August 1995 for voters to decide whether Bermuda should become an independent sovereign state or remain a British Dependent Territory. On a voter turnout of 59%, 74% voted against independence. Following the decisive result, Premier John Swan, who had been in favour of independence, resigned.[1]
After being an extension of the Virginia colony, Bermuda was made a crown colony of its own rights in 1609 and became a self-governing colony in 1620, with the founding of the Parliament of Bermuda. Following World War II, much of the British Empire was granted independence. In 1968 Bermuda gained a constitution, but the British Government determined that Bermuda was not ready for independence, and so Bermuda was included on the United Nations list of non-self-governing territories. In 1981 Bermuda became a British Dependent Territory as a result of the British Nationality Act 1981.
On 25 March 1995 the House of Assembly of Bermuda narrowly passed the Independence Referendum Bill 20–18,[2] the Senate passed the Bill unopposed two weeks later.[3] For independence to be approved, the yes vote had to be supported by at least 40% of those eligible to vote and over 50% of those who voted.
The referendum question (as set out by the Independence Referendum Act 1995) was:
The vote was originally scheduled for 15 August 1995 but was delayed to the next day by Hurricane Felix passing over the islands. Polls were open from 10:00 to 21:00.[4] The decision to delay the referendum was the subject of a public inquiry, which found the Government had acted in accordance with the law.[5]
Although in favour of independence, the opposition Progressive Labour Party, led by Frederick Wade, voted against the Referendum Bill, called for a boycott of the referendum itself and stated that independence should be determined in a general election. The governing United Bermuda Party was split on the issue, with Premier John Swan supporting independence while many of his backbenchers were opposed.[6]
During the campaign, the Committee for the Independence of Bermuda stated that if there was a 'yes' vote, independence would not come immediately. Instead, there would be a constitutional conference in London, which would lead to Bermuda becoming an independent Commonwealth realm, with Queen Elizabeth II as Head of State and the Privy Council remaining the supreme court.[7]
| Choice | Votes | % |
|---|---|---|
| For | 5,714 | 25.88 |
| Against | 16,369 | 74.12 |
| Invalid/blank votes | 153 | – |
| Total | 22,236 | 100 |
| Registered voters/turnout | 37,841 | 58.76 |
| Source: Direct Democracy |