This is the press release, reprinted in full, issued by Gwyneth Rawlins explaining her resignation from the United Bermuda Party.

Gwyneth Rawlins, Chairperson of the United Bermuda Party today tendered her resignation as Party Chairperson to the Central Executive Committee, and also relinquished her membership in the Party, both actions to take immediate effect. Citing as chief reasons for resigning an inability to work in an environment that had become increasingly uncomfortable because of disrespect and one that did not allow her to grow politically, Ms. Rawlins was the Party’s first female Chairperson in its history.

Speaking of the Party that she has supported over the last decade, Ms. Rawlins said:

“I joined the political arena to grow and contribute in the area of public service and I assumed the position of Chairperson in July 2003, having just unsuccessfully contested a seat in the 2003 election. I had great hopes of developing a political career and with enthusiasm and excitement, I made that known to the Leader at the time. Over the last four years, I have given time and energy to my role, primarily as Party Chairperson. However, the current environment in the Party does not afford me the opportunity to grow politically. Despite paying my dues, certain actions taken have indicated their disregard of the worth and value that I bring to the Party.

In spite of their platitudes, I have wondered recently whether or not the United Bermuda Party has really changed, if indeed they are open to new and fresh ideas. But the new United Bermuda Party has not yet been conceived, let alone born. They saw me as a nice person and a polite person but they did not anticipate my strength and resolve to do what’s right and what’s fair. They did not anticipate that I could not be manipulated. Blatant disrespect of me and my position as Chairperson by previous and current leadership has been a huge challenge. There are countless examples of this occurring over the years in addition to being undermined in the presence of others and excluded from dialogue and decision making, notwithstanding that the Party Chairperson is the link between the Party and Campaign efforts to ultimately win an election. Further acts of disrespect were displayed only one week after I was re-elected for a fourth term. That business as usual attitude convinced me that I was in an environment that was not likely to change and one in which I no longer wished to remain.”Speaking of blacks who have joined the Party in recent years, Ms. Rawlins said: “A few more blacks have joined the Party and are set to contest seats in the upcoming general election. I question whether the action of bringing in additional black candidates is more to darken the external landscape rather than embracing and utilizing the talents and skills of everyone who make up a diversified group. If Blacks are not willing to play the game and adopt the rhetoric, they will eventually struggle with their own sense of value and what is the right and fair thing to do. Blacks who make it to the leadership level as I did should not be fooled into thinking that they will be in charge. The internal landscape of the Party has not changed. There is evidence of a group of people who are committed to maintaining control and will mount challenges at the mere sign of losing it.” Ms. Rawlins said that steps were taken to replace her in both the 2005 and 2006 elections of Party Officers, despite the encouragement of many of the branches to seek another term. She stated that:

“Politics is an honourable profession that needs honourable men and women.

“ We should have by now moved passed the point in our history where a person is replaced because they refuse to ignore protocol or subscribe to the manipulation and schemes that are found in politics. In my opinion, the Party has demonstrated that it is neither new nor different by seeking to replace me with someone who perhaps fits the traditional mould.

“It is still stuck in the mode of yesteryear, operating through a core group that resorts to underhanded schemes. The reluctance to respect the position of Chairperson clearly highlights the arrogance that existed in the Party long ago and sadly, still exists today.”>On the subject of whether the country is now the recipient of strong and moral leadership, Ms. Rawlins said that the tendency of the United Bermuda Party is to look at the current government with criticism. She invites the Party to look within and ask if they are indeed capable of providing that type of leadership. Says Ms. Rawlins: “The voting public is tired of the old way of underhanded schemes, back room tactics and the meeting before the meeting. They are hungry for a new way that is devoid of empty rhetoric and instead is based on sincerity, honesty, trust and a healthy debate of the people’s business. The United Bermuda Party appears to be very impressed by those who take on the demeanour of attack dogs, flame-throwers and pot stirrers. Sadly, the general consensus seems to be that that is what makes a good politician and wins elections. I now find myself in a very uncomfortable place, as I do not subscribe to any of those behaviours.

In speaking about the recent publicity concerning racism in the Party, Ms. Rawlins said: “Some call it nonsense, others consider it a travesty given the Party’s diversity. I believe that to question whether choosing one black person over another black person is racism is to detract from the real question. The real question is ‘In this new United Bermuda Party where blacks are allowed in and even reach the level of leadership, who is behind the scenes exercising the real control and orchestrating the back room tactics’?”

Ms. Rawlins says that she has been mistreated and terribly disrespected but, although stepping away, still feels that she has a great deal to offer the country:

“I must disconnect from my political involvement in order to reconnect with who I am and with my purpose. Over the next couple of months, through prayer, I will decide how to best direct my energy toward serving Bermuda and her people.