The United Bermuda Party has named the members of its Race Relations and Economic Empowerment Committee.

Chaired by Shadow Race Relations and Economic Empowerment Minister David Dodwell, the committee also consists of Opposition Leader Grant Gibbons, Deputy Leader Wayne Furbert, Shadow Transport Minister Jamahl Simmons, Shadow Community and Cultural Affairs Minister Jon Brunson, Opposition Senate Leader Kim Swan, Sen. Bob Richards, and UBP party chairwoman Gwyneth Rawlins.

Mr. Dodwell said the committee is also working with a number of other groups within the party, as well as reaching out to the community ? small businesses in particular.

The committee is already in the process of developing a small business conference for some time in the summer to discuss the economic side of racism, Mr. Dodwell said. "I consider that a most important aspect of this."

Mr. Dodwell also said that at some point the committee will also consider the comments revolving around race which have been made during the Independence debate at many of the Bermuda Independence Commission public meetings, adding that the link between race and Independence is "something we have to address".