The Bermuda Democratic Alliance (BDA) was yesterday launched as the Island's newest political party.

About 35 people gathered at the House of Assembly for their first press conference since six of them quit the United Bermuda Party to form their own party two months ago, with former UBP MP Shawn Crockwell announcing: "We stand for a better way."

Mr. Crockwell said those involved share a common vision of equal opportunity, social and economic justice, fiscal responsibility, security and safety, environmental sustainability and transparency.

He said the organisation, which would ultimately be a "centrist" party, would form a more specific idea of its vision following a series of town hall meetings and constituency get-togethers, before a leader is elected and the constitution ratified at the Alliance's first conference in the New Year.

Today, Mr. Crockwell will be joined by fellow UBP defectors Donte Hunt and Mark Pettingill as the BDA's first representatives in the House of Assembly.

Construction Association of Bermuda president Alex DeCouto will be the caucus chairman with party officers including Michael Fahy, Sean Pitcher and Wayne Scott, who all quit the UBP this summer, and technology entrepreneur Michael Branco.

Others in the photo shoot included former Progressive Labour Party candidate and education activist Myron Piper, businessman Craig Cannonier, ACE Foundation executive director Ralph Richardson, cyclist and lawyer Elliot Hubbard and banking executive Granville Gibbons. Others included doctors, accountants, electricians and contractors, all ranging in age between 30 and 50.

There was also a family connection Mr. Fahy's brother Stephen, Mr. Crockwell's brother Mark and Mr. Pettingill's fiancee, Erin Fields.

Mr. Crockwell told The Royal Gazette 45 members have signed up so far, many not previously involved in politics, but some recruited from both the established parties.

A large proportion present yesterday had a UBP connection including Susan Jackson, daughter of MP Louise Jackson, Michael Swan, brother of MP Charlie Swan and former branch chair Sean Soares. Mr. Crockwell said former PLP members were currently waiting in the wings, not yet ready to make their own appearances.

Mr. Crockwell told the media: "I stand before you today, thrilled and honoured to announce the formation of Bermuda's newest political entity.

"Beside me now are just some of the dynamic men and women from across our country that share a common vision — a vision where a Government exists that stands for equality of opportunity, social and economic justice, fiscal responsibility, security and safety, environmental sustainability, transparency, honesty and fairness in government for the benefit of all of Bermuda's people.

"We stand for a better way. A way that will reject the use of race or class as a means to political success, that will be the leader in responsible and open government and that will make Bermuda relevant for all Bermudians.

"We will be guided in all of our activities by the principles of non-discrimination and equal rights for all, and by the over arching principle that all people are equal before the law.

"We are the Bermuda Democratic Alliance — BDA.

"The Alliance's first Members of Parliament, Mr. Mark Pettingill, Mr. Donte Hunt and myself have a serious responsibility in terms of representing the Alliance in the House of Assembly — however the Alliance members beside me are confident that we are up to the task of representing Bermuda and helping forge a better way.

"We look forward to sending many more Alliance members to Parliament and welcoming those who embrace and share our core values and vision to come join us."

Responding to a suggestion that the party should have announced more about its vision, he said: "It's just been six weeks. I think we have done a Herculean job thus far.

"We shared our vision with people that we know and people we believe embraced those core values, and now we are going to take it to the people."

On this point, Mr. Fahy told this newspaper policies would be developed based on the core values and established by the party as a whole.

Giving his thoughts on yesterday's roll-out, Mr. Fahy said: "I'm excited. We've had a good turnout today of people who are willing to be seen and stand by a movement and new entity for Bermuda.

"I'm confident when the people see who is here they will see their supporters and friends and they stand for something important — they will think: 'I know those people and therefore I will stand there with them.'"

Mr. Pettingill said: "Nobody in this group can deny there's something special, dynamic and exciting with regard to taking the Country forward in the right spirit.

"This group here today is a small part of the whole thing — it's representative of the spectrum of Bermuda racially, economically and professionally. That's what's most exciting."

Kathy Michelmore, the former chair of Mr. Pettingill's UBP branch, was among the group. She said: "I think Bermuda needs a change. I'm enthusiastic about the possibility of a viable new political group."

Dr. Michelmore said of her former party: "The UBP has become dated, stuck, and has an historical legacy which it can't escape and which is going to hold it back."

The Alliance's website, launched yesterday, states: "The Alliance promotes a political philosophy that is rational, liberal and progressive: rational because we base our politics on the principles of reason and free inquiry; liberal because we stand for a market-based economy and liberal democratic society; progressive because we understand our principles and values to be forward-looking and universal in scope."

For the website, visit www.thealliance.bm. BDA's Facebook page, launched on Wednesday night, had more than 250 members by yesterday evening.