Current United Bermuda Party deputy leader Michael Dunkley is poised to take over the party’s reins after the resignation of Wayne Furbert yesterday.

And high-flying shadow Finance spokesman Patricia Gordon-Pamplin is likely to be confirmed as deputy leader after ruling out a run for the top job.

In a moving speech littered with Biblical references, Mr. Furbert ended weeks of speculation yesterday by resigning as the UBP leader after 14 months in charge. His position had become untenable after a majority of UBP MPs had signed a motion of no confidence.

He said he was disappointed by the situation but he urged his supporters not to be angry, but instead to unite behind the party.

And he said he would fight again in his Hamilton West seat at the next election.

He said: “After a great deal of consideration and reflection with my friends and family, I have decided that the best way forward for the United Bermuda Party is for me to step aside.

“Therefore, I am tendering my resignation as leader of the United Bermuda Party, effective March 31.

“I want to emphasise that I take this step for one reason only: I want the best for the people of Bermuda, and with all this uncertainty it cannot happen.

“The United Bermuda Party is not perfect. But for all its faults, I believe in my heart that it offers this Island the best hope for a unified and positive future.

“Although I am disappointed by this turn of events, I am comforted by the fact that I have always put Bermuda first, that I have the support of my family and that I am guided by a higher wisdom.’’

Last night, Mr. Dunkley confirmed to The Royal Gazette he will stand for the leadership while senior MP Maxwell Burgess confirmed he will not run and will retire at the next general election.

Mr. Dunkley said: “I will put my name forward. I believe I would have majority support within the group.

“But I don’t know if someone else will come forward — that’s democracy.”

And Mrs. Gordon-Pamplin said she had been overwhelmed with messages urging her to run for the leadership from inside and outside the party. “But I am not in a position to do that,” she said. Work commitments have thwarted her ambitions but she said she will run for the number two job. Mr. Dunkley said of Mr. Furbert’s resignation: “In spite of all the difficulties and hardships he’s gone through in the last couple of weeks he’s shown the best side of people — he’s still committed and concerned about the people of Bermuda.

“I look forward to continuing to work with him to make this Island a better place.”

And Mrs. Gordon-Pamplin said it was good news Mr. Furbert was staying on to fight Hamilton West.

The area is a see-saw constituency which could have been highly vulnerable to the PLP if Mr. Furbert’s personal vote was lost to the party.

Mrs. Gordon-Pamplin said of yesterday’s resignation: “It is unfortunate it has come to this but I think the healing process is beginning.”

Some in the party had been openly talking about the next election as a salvaging operation given the UBPs public divisions.

The party has consistently lagged the PLP in the polls and currently stands six points behind. But Mrs. Gordon-Pamplin said she was “extremely upbeat” about the party’s prospects in an election which could be called at any moment.

“I walk through the streets and I hear people say this dictatorship has got to stop.”

She said the electorate had been left behind by the PLP.

“If people want more of that of that for themselves then we have the Government we deserve.”

The UBP Parliamentary group met last night following Mr. Furbert’s resignation and in a statement it said: “As a group, we salute Mr. Furbert’s magnanimous and gracious gesture and thank him for his hard work as our leader and his continuing commitment to the party and the country. In the meantime, we want the public to know that we have made good progress toward the selection of a new team at the top. At this point, Michael Dunkley and Patricia Gordon-Pamplin have secured the support of a significant majority of the elected group, as leader and deputy leader respectively.

“Nevertheless, this team will still need to be formally ratified under the Party’s Constitution.”

Party chairman Shawn Crockwell said nomination day will be on Monday. The whole process must be wrapped up within two weeks.