Corporate lawyer Michael Fahy, best known for his prolific contributions to the letters page of The Royal Gazette, is the new chairman of the United Bermuda Party.

Mr. Fahy, 32, takes over from Shawn Crockwell who has had to stand down because he was elected as an MP in the December election.

The new chairman has vowed to broaden membership as the party recovers from its third straight defeat after 30 years in Government.

Surrounded by new deputy chairmen Wayne Scott, Alvin Wilson and Sean Pitcher, who all unsuccessfully fought seats in the last election, Mr. Fahy said: "I know I speak for the team today when I say that all of us are in this for the long haul.

"It has been said that: 'sometimes one has to fight the same battle more than once to win it'. That quotation, as far as I'm concerned, speaks to our resolve and commitment."

Asked about a possible name change for the UBP, Mr. Fahy did not rule it out. He said: "I think we can say we are going to look at all options. It would be crazy not to at least investigate the options we have. We will canvass our members to see the best way forward."

Mr. Fahy, who works at IAS, said the party was planning to reform its constitution so it was more democratic and involved more people.

Recently there has been criticism about the way leaders are selected by just the 14 MPs.

And Mr. Fahy said there is also a commitment to attract new, younger members to carry forward the party's message of "inclusiveness, unity, respect, compassion, and responsible management of the economy".

Mr. Fahy said the party will try to reclaim it reputation which he said had been sullied by the PLP.

UBP leader Kim Swan said Mr. Fahy had impressed people with his hard work while serving as deputy chairman for the past year.