Michael Dunkley, who is set to take over as new United Bermuda Party leader tonight, plans to win the next election on the doorstep as he lashed out at growing elitism in the Government.

Mr. Dunkley is taking a massive gamble by switching from his safe Devonshire seat to stand in the PLP seat of Smith’s North —- won by Patrice Minors last time by 123 votes.

But he firmly denies rumours he is about to back out of that bold move because he might lose — just as he vehemently refutes a theory it was a suicide mission to allow him to step out of politics.

“I have been doing a lot of canvassing — I hit the ground last summer.

“I think I am starting to get some traction with the people. I am enjoying the challenge over there. It has always been considered somewhat of a PLP stronghold.”

Mr. Dunkley said he hopes to capitalise on what he said was growing disillusionment with the Progressive Labour Party, both locally and nationally.

“They are taking care of their friends rather than the people in need.

“There’s a real disconnect between the politicians and the people — if you have that there is always an opportunity.

“When I grew up in the 1970s and 1980s politicians were on your doorstep. Many people had a real relationship with their Member of Parliament. We have lost that now.

“To some extent that has disconnected Bermudians from the political process. I want to bring that back.”

He mocked what he claimed was the rampant elitism of Premier Ewart Brown’s approach.

“I understand they have a fleet of SUVs which follow the Premier around.

“We are a 65,000 people in the middle of the ocean. Who are we? We are not George Bush and ‘Hail to the Chief’. Come on!

“That is further widening the gap between the people and the politicians. It’s out of control.”

Mr. Dunkley is expected to be elected unopposed tonight with party Finance spokeswoman Patricia Gordon-Pamplin likely to be confirmed as his number two.

It follows the resignation last week of Wayne Furbert after just over a year in charge. Mr. Furbert had been trailing in the polls and had been criticised over the handling of internal splits. Some of those close to the party have claimed some MPs felt changing the leadership was unnecessary as the party was doomed at the next election.

But Mr. Dunkley said: “I would never have pushed to make the change if we didn’t believe we had a chance to win the election.”

And some have argued any leader taking over now would be short lived if the UBP loses for the third election running.

“If we lose the next election and my head is on the chopping block and my colleagues believe I should go I have no problem with that.

“I will graciously go because it is not about me. It is all about the party and the people we serve.

“Keep that clipping because it might become pertinent sometime and I want to just show people I am a man of my word. I don’t look at it like I am in-expendable. If you are going to be successful in life you have to go and get the job done and if the chips fall against you maybe you haven’t worked hard enough, maybe you haven’t built the relationships. And if I lose Smith’s North — that’s life.”

Dunkley hoping to win election on the doorstep