The All Bermuda Congress last night outlined a basic platform and possible election strategy.

Details emerged at a forum which attracted about 50 people interested in learning more about a group hoping to become another political party.

Forum speakers stressed that unlike the Progressive Labour Party and United Bermuda Party there would be no party whip in the ABC. Members would be able to vote on matters based on their constituents' needs or conscience — not a party line.

Community activist Sheelagh Cooper (pictured) spoke of the basic values the congress would have. Commitment to excellence in public education, accessible to all children in Bermuda no matter their ability or income, was a main aim. As was affordable housing and accessible, high quality health care for all.

Ms Cooper told the meeting at St. Paul's that the party would be committed to ideals set out in the Sustainable Development plan and ensuring Bermuda met international human rights standards and eradicated racism.

She said: "Both parties will say that these guidelines are in their platforms but realistically we have seen that this is not the case."

She added that the party did not have to indicate a stance on issues such as Independence because referendums would be used to decide such issues.

Organiser Khalid Wasi promised that the public would hear more about the party in the coming weeks and stated that the current climate was conducive to another party coming on the scene — with the public outcry against the Botanical Gardens, and polls continually showing that nearly 40 percent of people did not align themselves with either party.

When asked by a member of public if they were targeting any areas in particular he indicated that they would be looking to field candidates in constituencies that were won by a slim margin.

Approximately six percent of the constituencies were won by 25 votes or less in the last election and if 100 votes had gone the other way there could be 18 PLP and 18 UBP members of Parliament currently.

None of the speakers have announced their candidacy and Mr. Wasi said the aim was to gather support for the ABC and educate the public about aims and how the ABC differed from the main two parties. He added that the public could expect another meeting by the end of the month and information to be available online soon.

Once support was there, he said, candidates would be in announced. He added that already 15 people had expressed interest in running in the election.

Environmentalist Stuart Hayward spoke of how the two party Westminster system had not worked for Bermuda because it allowed a winner take all attitude to prevail. It allowed issues to be brushed aside, he said, because the parties worked purely in an "attack and defend mode" and constructive debate rarely happened.

He explained that with a handful of ABC or independent candidates the level of debate could rise because no one party would have a clear majority and would have to rely on those candidates to be the swing vote to pass legislation.

He said: "Just being here and asking these questions is the spark for change, people are seeing that what we have is not working. On an Island this small people can make a difference."