The choice of Kim Swan as new United Bermuda Party leader has staved off a threatened defection of MPs — for now.

Before the party's crisis summit at the weekend seven MPs were discussing leaving because the party could not break its dubious image among many black voters. However one MP in the dissident faction told The Royal Gazette: "Certainly Kim Swan has our support at this stage. We are very hopeful there will be some conversations about change going forward, I see potential.

"At this stage a split isn't even a consideration in my view but it can never be ruled out totally. I think Kim is a man who listens. I feel pretty confident the concerns raised will have a hearing by Kim Swan."

Some in the UBP had predicted that any leadership choice in the election aftermath would be temporary as the party sorts itself out.

However the MP said: "He wasn't in my view elected as a temporary leader."

Yesterday Mr. Swan indicated he would be boosting the party's social policies and said the Opposition's role was more important than ever: "Because this country is wound up tight. There is polarization and hardship.

"We will speak for the people who can no longer afford Bermuda, who can no longer afford the rents, who can no longer afford the cost of living where $100 can't buy a full bag of groceries.

"We are divided by words that poison relations between people. This country needs healing, and it needs a force for healing.

"I am here today to tell you that the United Bermuda Party will be that force for healing."

In a loud and passionate address before the Island's media Mr. Swan said he believed his time had come.

Asked if the job was a poison chalice after four leadership changes in the UBP in the last four years Mr. Swan said it took courage to accept the job.

And probed on how long he might last Mr. Swan said he would give the job his full commitment and added: "If it's only meant to be a month it will be a month to be remembered."

Questions about the future of the UBP were deferred as Mr. Swan said the party had to concentrate on the upcoming Throne Speech and Budget response.

Speaking 25 years to the day that he first ran in politics as a candidate in Sandys South Mr. Swan said he had built up a track record in the political trenches by work in the branches, running as a candidate for office and serving as the party's Senate leader.

He was one of only two UBP MPs to turf the PLP out of a seat in December's election when he beat incumbent Dean Foggo by 17 votes in St. George's West.

Mr. Swan said people labeled the United Bermuda Party as a conservative party, but he didn't see it that way.

"You don't fight an election as I did in Constituency Two and come away thinking everything is fine.

"You come out of it knowing we have to change to help the people who are struggling. You come out of it thinking we must heal the wounds that exist and solve the problems that persist.

"Bermuda needs the commitment from its political leaders to understand the pain and suffering that's going on across the island.

"We need to drop the egos and the attitudes. All of us need to focus on the people. All of us need to walk in the shoes of others and get an understanding that there is a lot of hurt going on."

He said change would take time. "We need to start with the right frame of mind so that we can understand the realities that confront others.

"We need to bring love into our hearts. Love for our fellow countrymen. It has been missing for quite some time and there is plenty of blame to go around for that. So we need to make the effort to encourage our brothers and sisters — black and white — to open their hearts and minds to healing.

"You can be assured that we will keep this Government's feet to the fire on getting things accomplished for the people: education reform, safer streets, new housing, tax relief, help for St. George's and Dockyard, and more open and responsive government."

Mr. Swan said he will announce his Shadow Cabinet and Senate team over the next few days. There could be a tussle over the deputy leadership with one MP voicing frustration that incumbent Patricia Gordon-Pamplin didn't seek the leadership after Mr. Dunkley lost after saying she was too committed to work.

One MP said the deputy was expected to be in a position to step up but Mrs. Gordon-Pamplin's position was "total nonsense."