of Independent MP Mr. Stuart Hayward.

Mr. Hayward has pledged to continue to fight for green principles in Bermuda -- after taking a long-awaited vacation.

He was picking up the pieces, yesterday, after tumbling to last in the poll in Pembroke West Central, which was taken by the United Bermuda Party.

But he believes his four-year term of office has made a lasting mark on Bermudian politics.

Mr. Hayward said: "I am feeling tired. I have gone through feelings of rejection and hurt and that kind of thing.

"When I look back over the past four years I believe I have made a mark in history of which I, and other people, can be proud.

"The two major parties have already responded to the environmental thrust that I began. The UBP has, over the past four years, included environmental issues in their activities and releases.

"The Progressive Labour Party gave the environmental job to their most eloquent debater, Mr. Julian Hall.'' Mr. Hayward expressed his disappointment that Shadow Environment Minister Mr.

Hall and Environment Minister the Hon. Mr. Gerald Simons were not re-elected.

He said: "Despite his fiery nature, Mr. Hall was an excellent debater and Mr.

Simons had tried valiantly to reform Bermuda's education system.'' Also expressing sorrow at the demise of National Liberal Party leader Mr.

Gilbert Darrell, he said: "Gilbert Darrell was one of the more reasonable voices in Parliament. The Chamber will be poorer for his absence.'' Mr. Hayward added: "I think that both major parties felt threatened by the notion that independent members might spread. That representation was a threat to the domination of Parliament by both parties. I was seen as a threat to the system.

"I was disappointed at the strong return to the climate of polarisation. I had hoped that Bermudians would be more resistant to the lure of confrontational and negative politics.'' He spoke of "negative treatment'' he claims he received in the print media, particularly editorials in The Royal Gazette , which he hopes will change in the near future.

Mr. Hayward refused to go into any great detail about his future, only that he will sit down with his team after taking a vacation.

He said: "I am going to take my first vacation in two years. I have been on election alert for 18 months and I could not take a vacation because I could have missed half of the campaign.'' On his return he will be making the finishing touches to the revisions of his book `Bermuda's Delicate Balance'.

This will keep him at the environmental forefront.

He said: "The whole issue of international business here with Bermuda already having problems with population density must be addressed.

"While we think about expanding the economy we need to think seriously about what we are going to do with people, what we are going to do with traffic, and the sewage and how to catch enough fish.

"Stuart Hayward is out of Parliament but he is not out of it.'' STILL SMILING -- Mr. Stuart Hayward and his supporters put on a brave face in defeat.