As the United Bermuda Party leadership maintains a stony silence in the wake of its decision to boot Trevor Moniz from the party fold, the news isn't causing any ripples of excitement amongst Government MPs.

But some UBP supporters are expressing some concern.

Acting premier, Eugene Cox, preferred not to make any comment on the matter when contacted by The Royal Gazette.

Andrew Moulder, an insurance executive who joined the UBP about six months ago, admitted to some concern. “To me on the outside, it looks like they're getting rid of anybody who is different. And you need to hear people who are different. If you've got a bunch of men whispering in your ear: ‘yes, you're the greatest, you're the greatest,' you're going to keep going down that road thinking that you're on track but you're not getting any perspective - that's a concern of mine.”

Progressive Labour Party whip Ottiwell Simmons said his main concern - should Mr. Moniz express an interest in the PLP - was his reputation for not being a team player. It's a label that Mr. Moniz has denied in the past, but for Mr. Simmons, it sticks.

He points to the fact that Mr. Moniz spoke out against his own leader in the debate on long term residents.

Without inside knowledge of what happened between Mr. Moniz and the UBP, he said, it was difficult to make a judgement.

“If Trevor is a team player he would be welcomed by any political party,” said Mr. Simmons.

He said there was no debate when Grace Bell crossed the floor to the PLP. “She was a team player when she was in the UBP, changed her allegiance...” and was welcomed. “I don't have the same vibe about Trevor Moniz.”

Renee Webb, Telecommunications Minister said that Mr. Moniz probably wouldn't be interested in joining the PLP but that she felt he had something to offer and would welcome him into the ranks of the Government side if he was interested.

“I think that he would have made the right choice - I always thought he was more PLP than UBP anyway,” she said when asked what her reaction would be if he expressed an interest in her party.

“But I think Trevor tends to be anti-Government which is why he had so much trouble with the UBP. So would he join us ? Probably not.”

Unlike Mr. Simmons, she's not concerned that Mr. Moniz wasn't seen as a team player in the UBP. “He wasn't a team player because he didn't feel a part of the team,” she laughed. “I'm sure if he felt a part of the team he would have been a team player.”

Asked for her dominant impressions of him as a politician, she said : “I think on some issues Trevor seems to be clear on what directions that he thinks the issue should take. And on others he seems to be confused. But maybe that's because he's not informed. But I think he has assets... All politicians have strong points and all have weaknesses... I would welcome anybody who joins the PLP.”

Ms Webb said that she didn't think that Mr. Moniz would be effective as an independent.

“At least he stuck by his guns,” added Ms Webb. “He wasn't interested in rejoining the party or he would have done what he was supposed to do. But in terms of him being a part of the PLP, if the hierarchy invited him... I wouldn't be opposed to it. But knowing Trevor, as we know him, Trevor wouldn't join the PLP. That's the last thing he would do.”

“Trevor comes from the ilk where white persons who want to get somewhere don't join the PLP, quite frankly. He's in the legal profession, he wants to get ahead, he wants to be a part of the establishment and make sure he gets all the business that he can get.

And he wouldn't get that if he joined the PLP."