Bermuda Democratic Alliance MP Mark Pettingill says his pet dog would get elected for either of the traditional parties in their stronghold constituencies.But Mr Pettingill dismissed claims of a rift in the BDA as he outlined his party’s uphill battle convincing residents to change voting habits ahead of the next general election.United Bermuda Party deputy leader Trevor Moniz had suggested the three BDA MPs were at odds with party leadership because they realise the need to cooperate with the official Opposition to stave off a huge win for the Progressive Labour Party.Mr Pettingill yesterday declared there is “categorically no rift”, telling The Royal Gazette: “I have full confidence that Craig Cannonier has the best interest in the party and the Country.”However, he conceded last month’s Warwick South Central by-election result, when BDA candidate Sylvan Richards came last with 70 votes, showed how much work remains to be done.“Obviously I was very disappointed because I believe we had the best candidate,” said the lawyer.“It told me there’s a large portion of people still prepared to vote along party lines no matter who they are voting for, which is a sad reflection.“I could run my pet dog for the UBP and you would still have the same amount of votes for him. The same would happen if he ran for the PLP. There’s no consideration of the quality of the candidate.”At the last election, Mr Pettingill won for the UBP in its Warwick West stronghold, before quitting to form the BDA along with Shawn Crockwell and Donte Hunt.On his prospects fighting for that seat for the BDA against Jeff Sousa of the UBP, he said: “There are staunch supporters of the UBP there that would vote for an inferior candidate.“My hope is that they take into account some degree of the individual being qualified as a legislator: anything from having professional experience in a particular field to being able to make a speech.“There are quality people on all sides of the House but, in my view, there are too many people in the House that don’t have the necessary experience or background like that.“I hope people will see these by-election results and realise you have got to vote for the best people for the job. An election has not been called yet and we have time to show people why they should vote for the best candidates.”Mr Moniz and UBP leader Kim Swan say the ball is in the BDA’s court regarding collaboration to prevent the two Opposition parties splitting their vote and allowing a big PLP victory.BDA deputy leader Kathy Michelmore and adopted candidates Dueane Dill and Michael Branco have insisted there’s no chance of an amalgamation, with leader Craig Cannonier calling for the UBP to disband.