A shattered Michael Dunkley last night vowed to rise today and "go back to work" to help Bermudians try to bridge the gaps created during seven weeks of the most volatile election campaign the Island has seen.

"Nasty must work," the defeated former United Bermuda Party leader told The Royal Gazette. "I was confident ... obviously it didn't resonate. I wish Patrice Minors all the best."

And, in a speech to bitterly disappointed party members at the Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute last night, he told Premier Ewart Brown: "You've been given the tremendous responsibility of leading this island. People expect you to serve with honour and integrity. I wish you all the best in doing that."

Mr. Dunkley's shock defeat to Ms Minors after ten years in Parliament leaves the battered Opposition without a leader.

When he took over the party leadership from Wayne Furbert in April, many agreed that Mr. Dunkley, with his years of experience in Parliament and his formidable record as a politician, was the most dynamic leader the UBP has seen in years — and one of the few who could give the equally-dynamic Dr. Brown a run for his money.

However Mr. Dunkley took a massive gamble by switching from his safe seat in Devonshire East to the hotly-contested Smith's North. That decision, the clearly devastated former politician agreed, turned out to be disastrous.

"Going in today I felt comfortable in this seat," he said. "I was wrong. It didn't work out."

In an interview with The Royal Gazette he insisted that the reason he switched from his safe seat to do battle with Patrice Minors in Smith's North was simply: "We needed the seat".

"I haven't even thought about tomorrow. It's very difficult, especially when you thought you'd succeed, it's probably more difficult for the people working hard with me.

It was too early, he said, to speculate on why Smith's North chose Patrice Minors over him, though he admitted: "I have my suspicions."

It was also too early to speculate on the future leadership of the United Bermuda Party. "Right now," he said, "I want to spend time with my family and get a good night's sleep."

After coming through a "very difficult election period", he told dejected UBP supporters: "Tomorrow we have to wake up as Bermudians and put our lives back in order, and try to bridge some of the gaps that we've created over these last seven weeks.

"Tomorrow we'll wake up and go back to work ... we'll rise tomorrow ready to fight another day."

During his career Mr Dunkley served continuously in the Shadow Cabinet with responsibility for Labour, Home Affairs and Public Safety, and for Health and Family Services. He was proud of his years in office, saying simply: "I work hard and I care."

The only thing he'd change, he admitted with the first smile of the interview, was "this result".

"I'm not going to change the way I work — I believe in taking the high road, it's how I was brought up. "I'm not saying we wouldn't change what we did but we wouldn't work dirty. You can't second-guess democracy."

Deputy UBP leader Patricia Gordon-Pamplin paid tribute to her colleague. "There are times when the selflessness of an individual shines through," she told mourning party members.

"Michael gave up what he created as a safe constituency and moved in to another that he had to fight very hard to win. We fully respect the democratic process: The people have spoken and we respect that. We will be there tomorrow in Parliament, a good strong Opposition."

Other colleagues also paid tribute — and insisted that the party will move forward without Michael Dunkley as leader.

"I don't even know what to say," admitted David Dodwell, who also lost his seat last night in another shock defeat. "I'm disappointed. I'm a little worried about Bermuda going forward — but the people have spoken.

"The organisation will go forward and, like others, will have to adjust, regroup, and set a new direction," said incumbent Cole Simons, who held on to his seat.

"Michael was a good leader, he had a vision. He took a gamble, we all took a gamble. It didn't work out ... but we respect the people's decision. I just hope that in five years they can say their lives are better ... because it hasn't happened over the last five years. But we'll fight."

By midnight Mr Dunkley appeared exhausted, paying tribute to other UBP veterans who also fell from grace: David Dodwell and Suzann Roberts-Holshouser.

When audience members shouted a reminder that Shawn Crockwell had also gained a seat, he cried: "Crockwell made it to the House? Oh man! We're much better off!"

"I am proud to be a Bermudian in Bermuda, the best place in the world to live," he finished. "We have a strong democracy and we must continue to ensure that democracy prevails."