Bermuda needs a new political system which combines the abilities of the best leaders from all party backgrounds, political commentator Stuart Hayward said yesterday.

Under an ideal system, individuals would be elected into subsequently appointed leadership posts based on proportional representation, Mr. Hayward told The Royal Gazette.

He said the current system of Progressive Labour Party and United Bermuda Party candidates clashing in dozens of one-on-one battles served to reward the toughest fighters rather than the most competent public servants.

Mr. Hayward was responding after the PLP picked up 52.35 percent at Tuesday's General Election — yet under the first past the post scheme secured 22 seats and will occupy 61 percent of the House of Assembly.

Asked if he thought Bermuda was operating the fairest system, Mr. Hayward replied: "No. The current system splits our scarce resource of leaders and pits them against each other rather than for the common good. It also rewards the most pugnacious, rather than the most able.

"We would make better use of resources if entry by individuals into elected and subsequent appointed leadership posts was in proportion to their respective public support."

Mr. Hayward, joint leader of the Voters' Rights Association, said Bermuda should also adopt a system which suits its small size.

"The size of the Island and its population doesn't make it any less complex to govern," he said. "We would do better to evolve to a system that made better use of the entire complement of MPs — every elected leader should have structured work to do.

"Several small island states have been reviewing their governance structures. There is much work already being done in this vein that Bermuda could benefit from.

"Visionary leaders would seek international help in evolving a system of governance that suited our size, makeup, history and economy, particularly with independence hovering on the horizon."