Following the decisive result, Premier John Swan, who had been in favour of independence, resigned.

[5] The decision to delay the referendum was the subject of a public inquiry, which found the Government had acted in accordance with the law.

[6] 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.

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.