Still reeling from another drubbing at the polls UBP insiders were talking about rebranding the party yesterday but acting leader Patricia Gordon-Pamplin says the party needs to takes stock as she again ruled herself out for the leadership role.

In the meantime, the swearing in of the Cabinet will take place today after Premier Ewart Brown met with Governor Sir Richard Gozney yesterday morning at Government House to confirm his Progressive Labour Party has a majority of the seats in the House of Assembly. (see story below).

Mrs. Gordon Pamplin is acting leader after Michael Dunkley lost his risky gamble to take Smith's North off the PLP but last night Mr. Dunkley said he had yet to decide whether it was time to quit politics.

Asked if the UBP would re-brand or disband after it picked up 14 seats to the PLP's 22 seats on Tuesday, Mrs. Gordon-Pamplin said: "We need to do a post mortem. We haven't had the opportunity to do that.

"We have just lost our leader and we need to meet and assess what we need to do better in the sober light of day.

"The campaign has been tremendously fatiguing and we fought a tremendous battle and right now we are battle scarred. We need to rest for a day or two."

Asked about whether she was ready to replace Mr. Dunkley permanently she said work commitments meant she was unable to take that role.

The UBP's share of the popular vote fell about one percent to 47.2 percent to the PLP's 52.3 percent.

Mrs. Gordon-Pamplin said the campaign had been dirty from the PLP side.

In reference to comments made by new PLP MP Lovitta Foggo who will now have to give up her job as a school teacher, she said: "I absolutely resent anyone telling me we wanted to go back to the plantation.

"Thank God that person is in the House of Assembly and not teaching that kind of vitriol."

A tired looking Michael Dunkley said he was still assessing whether he had a political future.

Yesterday new UBP MP Kim Swan urged Mr. Dunkley to take his vacant spot as Opposition Senate leader.

Mr. Swan said: "He earned the respect of the people in Devonshire East and was assured of being returned but he moved. He led by example."

Mr. Dunkley was still coming to terms with his defeat last night.

"I never thought I would lose. I felt if I worked I would be all right."

Now he is talking with his distraught family about what to do next while colleagues assessed the damage to the party from its third straight defeat.

New MP Mark Pettingill said: "Obviously it is time for reflection and I intend to take my time."

One UBP insider said: "We need to become a completely different entity. The philosophy does not need to change as far as I am concerned."

Asked if the UBP would always lose under a white leader in Bermuda's race based political system, the source said: "I don't think that makes any difference."