United Bermuda Party leader Grant Gibbons has defended his party after former leader Sir John Swan branded it white, elitist and out of touch with voters.

Dr. Gibbons reiterated his party's commitment to building an organisation that represents all Bermudians and said his party would tackle race head on.

He said: "Ever since the 1998 election, the United Bermuda Party has recognised the need for substantive change.

"We rebuilt our party, adding many new faces and many new candidates. We are proud of the diverse new United Bermuda Party team that fought the last election.

"It's important to remember that 48 percent of the electorate supported our efforts and voted for integrity, diversity and inclusion."

He said the United Bermuda Party's (UBP) would seek to break the shackles of the past and speak to the needs of the average Bermudian.

"We also seek to become an honest broker on difficult issues such as race.

"Well over a year ago, the new United Bermuda Party committed to addressing the unfinished business between black and white Bermudians, and the recent election has demonstrated that tackling the issue of race is crucially important, not just to the United Bermuda Party, but Bermuda as a whole.

"Since the opening of Parliament this year, we have taken positive steps to end the politics of racial hatred through the introduction of a Parliamentary code of conduct for political communication.

"In fact, actively addressing the issue of race, and working constructively to break down some of the racial barriers in our community will be a major focus of the United Bermuda Party in 2004.

Dr. Gibbon said changing public attitudes towards race and politics would not happen overnight.

"It takes time and effort to change hearts and minds, but the new United Bermuda Party will not waver from its commitment to tackling the real issues of race in Bermuda."

Sir John had questioned the ability of the black candidates chosen to represent the party in July's election and said more needed to be done to get real black talent into the UBP.

However Dr. Gibbons said: "The comments made by Sir John, which dismissed the collective talents, intellect and ability of members of the United Bermuda Party, were unfortunate and don't move the process of change forward.

"It remains our goal to break down racial stereotypes wherever they occur, in politics or in the larger Bermudian community.

"It should also be noted that Sir John is not involved in the day-to-day operations of the party and may not be fully aware of the discussions and activity underway since the election."

However Sir John's comments drew support from several party members including former deputy leader Erwin Adderley.

After losing his seat Mr. Adderley has withdrawn from being an approved candidate as he assesses his political future.

He said: "Sir John Swan has made valid points, we have to be more inclusive."

The party now had a white leadership with Dr. Gibbons at the top supported by deputy Michael Dunkley, said Mr. Adderley.

"It's obvious we lost, what has to happen right now is we have to look at those people who lost, are they the best candidates for the party in those district's going forward."

Just as he was reassessing his future so should other losing candidates said Mr. Adderley.

Party supporter Toppy Cowen said Sir John had been right to point out the Opposition's malaise.

He said the Senate was weak and consisted of people who had been rejected by the electorate, some of them several times.

He said: "This should not be a training ground for would-be politicians or those who occupy a seat to keep it warm.

"Since they could not muster up a strong opposition in the house, the Senate should be their place of strength. At the moment it appears they are like toy soldiers and not really capable of tackling Government head on."

Former Smith's South branch chairman David Tavares said he had resigned from the party after working hard for it for more than 20 years after being denied the right to challenge Cole Simons to stand in the redrawn seat of Smith's South.

He said the party had a constitution which allowed for primaries to decide candidate selection but he had been told unseating a black professional would not look good so had been barred.

He said: "I don't agree with the basic fundamentals of the party. It should be about rights and freedom of opportunity."

There were around 2,000 members in the party but decisions were taken by a cabal of 60 people while the grass roots were ignored, said Mr. Tavares.

"The party need restructuring, there's definitely something which isn't right."