"You have to speak from the heart and you have to say what you believe in," declared Dale Butler last night, after suffering a crushing defeat in his bid to become leader of the Progressive Labour Party.

The former Cabinet Minister won just two votes from delegates at the annual conference at Devonshire Rec — one of them his own — but insisted he had no regrets about the way he waged his campaign or delivered his speech. "I told it like it was," he said at the end of the night. "I thought I had pricked their hearts and consciences.

"I think by far I had the best speech. I think the little bit that unravelled the delegates was when I mentioned that I felt that 'Team Bermuda' had to utilise the skills of everyone. I gave one example and said why couldn't we have ambassadors to the United States such as Calvin Smith, John Barritt and Grant Gibbons."

Acknowledging that his remarks about the UBP MPs were unlikely to find favour with party loyalists, he said he would say exactly the same thing again, as it is what he truly believes.

His speech, he said, touched on issues the other two candidates shied away from: health care, drugs, the homeless and the need to include sexual orientation in the Human Rights Act. "Mine was not based on any telephone surveys. This is really from genuine people telling me what's on their minds. It did not ring a bell with the delegates."

Mr. Butler delivered his speech wearing a captain's hat. He said he didn't know if that put off voters. "Loyalty is a key factor," he said. "The fact that I resigned (from Cabinet last year) may have been a factor."

He explained that he did not receive enough nominations to run for deputy leader, saying delegates "sent a very clear message".

Despite that, Mr. Butler said of the evening: "I enjoyed it. The decision of the delegates I respect. I know my party so I'm not disappointed. What do I take from it? That the delegates have the final say and that you move on. I always place as my priority my constituents. It's a most peculiar situation in that I have very warm, friendly, outgoing relationships with everyone in that room. I have worked with people on a variety of things."

He said the result had not left him with any resentment towards party colleagues or any less loyalty to the PLP. "I have no ill feelings towards the party as a whole. I was a member from the age of 16 and I know how the PLP works."

He admitted he would consider a return to Cabinet if offered a suitable post. "It depends on what it is. I have said I would say no to education."