Opposition stalwart John Barritt yesterday revealed race was a factor — but not the overriding factor — in his decision not to go for leadership of the United Bermuda Party.

Mr. Barritt, who had been touted as one of the favourites for the post, said the UBP was in a no-win position over race, with white leaders potentially seen as symbols of white power and black leaders as puppets of whites.

But he backed new leader Kim Swan as having the fervour and passion to bring the change he believes people want in the party.

Mr. Barritt said he made himself available as a possible candidate until the eleventh hour and that some party members were prepared to back him. He said race was a factor in his final decision not to challenge Mr. Swan, but cited his main reason as personal circumstances, which he did not disclose.

"I didn't put myself forward. I was considering it. You might say right up to the eleventh hour I was making myself available," Mr. Barritt told The Royal Gazette.

"Then given my own personal circumstances I decided that I was not in a position to offer myself as leader of the party. I was never actually nominated, but there were people who were prepared to put me forward."

Asked whether the UBP had needed to appoint a black leader, he replied: "I'm not going to presume to know what was in other people's minds, but he (Mr. Swan) was the only nominee.

"He was the only person who put himself forward. Was race a reason why I didn't put myself forward? No, not particularly?

"Whether we like it or not, in Bermuda race is an issue in major decisions and it's sometimes a question of how people perceive you and how you believe you are seen by other people.

"In my case, inside and outside the party ... that was a factor in my decision-making. But it was not the overriding factor.

"Did I not put myself forward because I was white? No. The United Bermuda Party is damned if it does and damned if it doesn't. We know the lines around here and how they go.

"You put up a black man: he's a puppet, some white person's puppet. You put up a white man: 'See we told you the party is run by whites.'

"People are looking for change in this country, but they are looking for real change. I think that's what Kim Swan has promised in his first statement."

Giving his support to Mr. Swan, he said: "Kim is a longer serving member than I am. I'm very pleased for Kim.

"People want to remember here was a guy who was picked to be leader of the Senate under three different leaders. That in itself speaks volumes. He comes with a fervour and a passion. That makes him stand out."

On talk of disbanding, rebranding or renaming the party, he said: "I don't want to prejudge the issue. What it points to is change. Change they have already got in terms of who the leader is.

"I don't know what the future holds. I hear people say all sorts of things but I don't give them much time of day.

"I think some people have made it clear that all options are on the table but for now our overriding duty as 14 Members of Parliament, newly elected, is to provide a strong Opposition."

He dismissed a name change as superficial, adding: "A rose is still a rose by any other name."