New United Bermuda Party leader Dr. Grant Gibbons yesterday promised new ideas beyond the "old ideologies", and strong leadership to unite the community in the face of economic uncertainty.

And Dr. Gibbons, who will remain as Shadow Finance Minister, pleaded with voters to judge him on his track record in public life, not the colour of his skin.Dr. Gibbons said the Island could no longer take prosperity for granted as it had in the 1990s and now needed leadership that would unite Bermuda rather than divide it.

After he was sworn in as Opposition Leader by Governor Thorold Masefield, he said: "Bermuda is entering a time of great uncertainty. We cannot afford to take prosperity and growth for granted."Now, as never before, Bermuda needs a strong leadership and a vision that will unite rather than divide and that seeks to preserve our safety, security and quality of life.

"There was clearly a time in the late 90s before the last election, when Bermuda's economy was considered bullet-proof. (People thought) it didn't matter who was in government, but a lot of that has changed in the last year. "Talking to a lot of people in the community, my sense of what the community is looking for is strong and unified leadership with a vision as to how we can bring these issues together."We face a lot of challenges going forward and the UBP is not only willing, but able to offer unified leadership which will provide a credible alternative."

Stating the UBP was open to "new ideas and new faces", Dr. Gibbons added: "We understand that no one individual or party or interest group has a lock on what's best for Bermuda. Good ideas can come from anywhere."We are a party of moderation and balance and common sense. We are not bound by old ideologies or old labels like labour or liberal or conservative or even Front Street. We are searching for what works best for Bermuda and all Bermudians."Shadow Health Minister Kim Young admitted yesterday that MPs did consider race when selecting the leader, and decided to go for the best candidate. When Dr. Gibbons was asked if his being seen as a member of the old white establishment would hinder the party's chances of winning more black voters, he said: "The UBP believes that race is important, but so is good government, competence, compassion, sensitivity and a lot of other issues that make this country what it is."None of these attributes have a colour attached. I hope what people will judge me on is not the colour of my skin, and I hope no one gets judged by the colour of their skin, their sex or their age. I hope we are moving beyond that."I hope the ten years I have been involved in politics and in public life, my experience as a senator, responsibility for the Baselands, shadow finance minister, telecommunications and campaign chair in 1993, that people will judge me on my performance, not how I look. With these tough times, we can't afford to discard anyone in terms of how they look."