Supporters of the United Bermuda Party (UBP) are breathing a sigh of relief at the news that Trevor Moniz has been readmitted to the party whip.

But there are some doubters that the good will will last.

Robert Pires, a Moniz supporter, said the party will have to show that it now represents the "core values" that Mr. Moniz and others have stood for.

"It must be acknowledged that the exclusion of Mr. Moniz from the UBP came about by way of a battle for core values within the UBP," he said.

"Specifically Mr. Moniz and the 'Parliamentary Five' stood firmly against Independence and firmly against McDonald's - values supported by the majority of Bermudians irrespective of party affiliation."

He pointed out that Mr. Moniz is the only one remaining of the rebel UBP MPs of that period.

"The question now stands as to whether the core values for which Mr. Moniz stands will be incorporated into the UBP's platform as well as in its Parliamentary initiatives... If the UBP does not incorporate such values, I see little point in Mr. Moniz attending caucus or being readmitted to the UBP's Parliamentary group.

Members of the Opposition party's Parliamentary group have declined to make any comments on Mr. Moniz's readmission, instead referring the media back to the party's official announcement.

Mr. Pires also refers to that statement which said that the group had "recommitted" itself to following "internal party guidelines".

"This may refer to Mr. Moniz's dogged determination, against the wishes of his Parliamentary colleagues, to set up a registry of MPs business interests," Mr. Pires said.

"Most Bermudians agree that such a registry is essential to monitor conflicts of interest and is a first step to preventing graft and corruption in Government and amongst politicians.

"In my view the UBP must incorporate high moral standards similar to this if it is to recover the moral high ground leading into the next election."

He added that if following internal party guidelines meant that the MPs had committed to 'shutting up and doing what we tell you', then Mr. Moniz' readmission to the UBP Parliamentary group is unlikely to be successful.

But Toppy Cowen, community activist and leader of a campaign to draft former Premier Sir John Swan back into politics, says in a Letter to the Editor that bringing Mr. Moniz back was a "wise bit of political maneuvering at a time when most needed".

Mr. Cowen says that the UBP should go "one step further" and bring Sir John back.