United Bermuda Party MP Donte Hunt has called for the public to decide whether a new party is needed as the Opposition mulls its future after a third election defeat.

His comments come hard on the heels of former leader Wayne Furbert saying the UBP was doomed and its existence only hardened Bermuda's racial divide.

The UBP got 47 percent of the vote in the December election and again picked up just 14 seats — something which has sparked calls from within the Opposition ranks for a new party to be formed.

Insiders say time is fast running out for the business-as-usual approach.

Yesterday Mr. Hunt said the UBP was not giving Bermuda what it needed right now and he urged the public to lobby Opposition MPs with ideas on what should be done.

He told The Royal Gazette: "I think people are very excited about a political shift and a change in Bermuda's parties.

"The decision whether we have a new party or not needs to be from the people. We should not operate like 'Daddy knows best'. In the past I think that is how we have operated and many countries have operated.

"Our feelers should be out there, we should speak to people across demographic and political fields and get from them what we should do. I think people are excited about change.

"I am not having people coming up to me saying how it's terrible — they are saying whatever you are, just represent the people, we don't care if it is UBP or NLP, whatever it is."

He said ideally electors wanted to get to a point where they were voting for a party based on their platform and issues.

"Right now I believe the majority of people are voting just based on legacy and other stuff that doesn't really pertain at all to the direction of this country.

"I think people are frustrated — I think whites are not comfortable voting for the UBP just because they don't want to vote for the PLP. People want to be released from this racial divide, particularly as it pertains to politics.

"That's the thing that gets everybody excited — yes let's create an opposition or political platform where race is way down on the totem poll and what is on top is issues or track record or passion."

Asked about Mr. Furbert's comments, Mr. Hunt said: "My gut feeling is we will look back at this and say it was a good thing, mainly because we really have to press on with the future of this country. Can the UBP be a viable Opposition today?

"I think Wayne is saying no, I am saying, to be quite honest, I am not sure."

"I am very optimistic in regard to us making change from within the party — I want to believe that, that's just my make up, let's really exhaust this.

"But Wayne has got to the point where he has reached his threshold, my threshold is a little greater."

Mr. Furbert claimed focus groups run by the UBP said the party's time was up. Mr. Hunt said: "I think we should heed that and really listen to that.

"I am finding people less in love with the UBP and more interested in the future of Bermuda."

Mr. Hunt, who took marginal St. George's South by 25 votes, said he had played down his UBP links while working on undecideds and he believes colleagues did the same elsewhere.

Former National Liberal Party leader Charles Jeffers agreed that the public needed to be involved in forming any new party which he said must be seen as rooted in the black community to stand a chance of getting anywhere.

"The public want change but if they decide to make a change without consultation with the public, without getting a consensus before they move on they could be in serious trouble."

"It is sad, we have to talk like this in Bermuda but there is no point going to the white people because they have got their votes anyhow.

"You have to go to the fence-sitters, who will vote either way, the swing voters and the majority of those would be black.

"You have to go to the people who used to be very strong PLP who are now backing off because they don't like a lot of things which are going on. You ask those guys, 'what will cause you to leave the PLP and be a part of something different?'

"Bermuda's best interest will be served by having two parties where the majority of people will feel comfortable."

Mr. Jeffers said MPs who were really sincere about wanting to work for Bermuda should resign from the UBP and sit as independents and look at their options about starting another party.

The next election could then be fought under a new grouping but to immediately form a new party in Parliament would be a con on the electorate, argued Mr. Jeffers.

"This is what we accused the UBP of doing. In 1963 they were elected as independents, they said they didn't believe in the party system, that it was divisive.

"After the PLP won six seats in 1964 the UBP started to form. I always say it was a coup, they took over the House.

"These guys were elected for a party, if they are not happy I don't see them simply jumping to another party, they must get the will and participation of the people."