The United Bermuda Party lost the election because it got distracted from the core issues says failed candidate Kenny Bascome.

And he said white voters made the difference in keeping his opponent Dame Jennifer Smith as MP for St. George's North.

Mr. Bascome, who was once a PLP stalwart, has twice failed to beat Ms Smith — this time missing out by 25 votes.

Asked why the UBP had failed to gain ground across Bermuda he said: "We lost because we didn't stay focused on the issues of the day — which are housing, education and crime. And then you deal with the economic empowerment of the majority population which happens to be black.

"We got distracted by what was being run by the media — such as the Bermuda Housing Corporation so-called scandal. I don't even speak to that because I believe in time it will take care of itself.

"In politics there are numerous occasions where you are better off if you don't respond."

But instead the party listened to the input of foreign experts and floundered.

He said the UBP had allowed the PLP to paint it into a corner — often racially. "We have not fought back."

During the campaign he recalls youngsters telling him the UBP had done nothing about providing housing in its time in power. "I had to point out to him that he was living in a home that was actually built under the United Bermuda Party."

Such developments could be found across the parish of St. George's and indeed the Island, said Mr. Bascome.

He said the PLP could successfully portray UBP policies as being racially discriminatory and draconian such as the 'three strikes and you are out' policy, even though the PLP had brought in a law mandating three-year sentences for those caught with blades in public.

"We have a period to go back to the drawing board and assess how we will be able to counter the PLP being able to play the race card.

"But I believe a number of people are going to be disheartened when it comes to the Workforce Equity Act.

"The question I would like to pose to Bermuda with your birth rates declining and your population ageing and your economy expanding and we presently have around 9,500 guest workers here now, where are we going to find the local population itself to be able to fill the top echelon of all these international jobs that are going to be created?

"I smile when I hear about economic empowerment because there only seems to be one area the Government is focusing on — North Hamilton."

The only way of overcoming the racial bogey was to help people personally said Mr. Bascome.

And he said voters weren't always toeing a racial line.

"There is a perception that the white community vote carte blanche for the United Bermuda Party. I can tell you that is not so. I have had numerous white people in St. George's tell me they would be supporting Dame Jennifer Smith."

A personal following and a large sympathy vote for Dame Jennifer helped boost that white vote which was enough to tip the balance, he believes.

Mr. Bascome said he was disappointed but not discouraged by his defeat and has not ruled out standing again despite back to back losses in 2003 and 2007.

Politics was apt to change overnight noted Mr. Bascome who said he had no race problems in the UBP and had not joined on the spur of the moment. "I weighed the options for three years before joining.

"I believe an evolution will take place and the party will grow."

Some people have written off the party but Mr. Bascome said: "I believe the United Bermuda Party will possibly be the Government again. There are still a lot of frustrated people in this country.

"No matter who is the Government there are always going to be people who don't believe they are sharing in the economic prosperity of this country."

Talk of disbanding misses the point said Mr. Bascome. "I don't believe in that because it's basically going to be the same group of people. What would be accomplished by disbanding?"