former Cabinet Minister Harry Soares.

The ex-Environment, Health, Sports and Tourism Minister told The Royal Gazette it was time for the party to take stock following Jennifer Smith's "stunning victory'' in the general election.

Mr. Soares, now retired, said the immediate prospects for his old party would be "up in the air'' until the Budget in February.

And he called on the party faithful and 14 remaining MPs to rally behind new Opposition Leader Pamela Gordon.

Mr. Soares said: "I really don't know whether or not anyone can predict what the future of the UBP is right now.

"It really comes down to how they handle themselves, how they conduct themselves.

"I think the Budget debate will be a crucial time to look at it. That gives them enough time in Opposition to get used to the idea and grow into their new role.

"Then we will see whether or not they actually come together stronger or show signs of fragmenting.

"It really is up in the air for at least three or four months.'' He said the UBP had "always been better at winning the heads but the PLP were best at winning the hearts'' of Bermuda's voters.

Political commentators are already speculating on the future of Bermuda's new Opposition, asking if it will break up like the Bahamas United Bahamian Party -- in power for years and then destroyed by a winning PLP government.

"The new Premier is doing a very good job so far,'' he said. "She has picked a high-calibre Cabinet.

"I don't think its management will be as good as the UBP's but managing the economy is only one part of leading.

"The UBP are a lot better at dealing with the head, I believe that quite strongly. But you have to capture the heart, too, and that's what the PLP have done.

"The little bit of a sad thing for me is that it's a pity we can't get the best of both together. It's a shame that it's either one side or the other side.

"I think that what the UBP needs to do is to reflect on other things that have happened in history and just see what they can draw from that.'' Mr. Soares, who spent Election Day campaigning for the UBP, said there were "valid reasons'' for concerns about the new PLP Government.

But he added: "I have a different view from most people. It was their time -- the time was right.

"The people were ready. When you are in government, you tend to think you have all the good answers and all the right answers.

"But there are no right answers, just different ways of doing stuff.

"Sure, there are going to be some things that people won't like. But there's no need to rant and rave and scream and shout. This is just a country evolving.'' He said he was "grateful'' for the PLP's majority -- "so the Premier can get on with the job''.

"I don't have the feeling that the sky's falling in,'' he added. "This is another phase of our life. It's not all doom and gloom.

"Look at what's going on in some other countries in the world. Look at the physical tragedies some of them have. Look at their political injustices.

"Our young people, especially our young blacks, really feel part of something now. Look at the turnouts our new Premier has had. The young see a renewed hope in everything. From a morale point of view, the change in government has boosted so many people.'' Ex-Minister turns to home decorating: Page 9