UBP Senate Leader Kim Swan has called on his party to break away from the politics of colour if it ever wants to return to power.

Speaking during the morning session of the party conference, Sen. Swan also accused the ruling PLP of playing the race card to belittle the "UBP black reformist creditability".

"As a political entity it is not good enough to expect individuals to use personal popularity to translate positively at the polls," Sen. Swan told the party membership at the Elbow Beach Hotel on Saturday.

"Collectively as a political entity we must get more involved in the lives of all Bermudians to have a fair chance of breaking down the norm that working class blacks will automatically support the PLP.

"We are often perceived as a white party, and for good reason, the white community in Bermuda is more polarised around the UBP more than the black community is around the PLP.

"However, with the 'Blacks and others' voters at 72 percent of eligible voters, it serves PLP interest to allow Bermuda to remain polarised."

He said that the party needed to educate the public on what it was doing and to fight the negative attitude of the ruling party when it comes to race.

"At some point the UBP needs to recognise and celebrate its advocates on social issues whilst they are active in politics," he continued.

"Unfortunately many a UBP advocate have been characterised as 'Uncle Toms' by the PLP. This is a ploy to weaken the UBP black reformist creditability on racially sensitive issues and within the black community.

"The PLP have continuously tried to associate 300 years of overt racism with the UBP. The time has come for us to stand up and write our own legacy. Ironically, they perpetuate these untruths when many of our early founders also played key roles integrating Bermuda.

"Today, it is our responsibility to defend their contribution whilst we continue to build a better Bermuda and regain the trust of the people."