[citation needed] Swan favoured independence of Bermuda from Britain, however following a referendum in 1995 that overwhelmingly rejected the proposal, he resigned as Premier.

[citation needed] In 1990 he was appointed by Her Majesty the Queen a Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire (KBE).

[4] In 1986 Swan was awarded the Medal of Distinction in recognition of his humanitarian endeavours from the International Association of Lions Clubs.

[citation needed] A legislative bill was drafted to prevent Swan from establishing McDonald's restaurants on Bermuda.

Ann Cartwright DeCouto, Swan's former Deputy Premier, introduced the Prohibited Restaurants Act to Parliament to stop the proposed McDonald's.