In a story on Saturday regarding the United Bermuda Party's letter young voters it was incorrectly stated that the letter did not ask them to join the party. The letter did not ask for support but did ask them to join the UBP's "partnership''.

The United Bermuda Party has expressed surprise at the reaction of their opponents to Premier, the Hon. John Swan's letter to first-time voters.

Both the NLP and the PLP have hit out at the letter, sent to 4,000 newly registered voters aged between 17 and 24.

They claim that Government is simply seeking support from young people on the Island.

But UBP executive officer Mr. Joe Gibbons said: "We are surprised that the two other political parties have reacted so negatively.

"Far from politicking as they have suggested, the UBP is emphasising what it has always believed in -- that the vision of our future rests with our young adults.'' Mr. Gibbons accused anyone who complained about the letter of not reading it fully to clarify its contents.

"This letter congratulates our young adults for their commitment in getting registered, and asks for any ideas which they might have for dealing with the many challenges facing this country today,'' he said.

"The UBP, unlike its opposition counterparts, must have more than criticism and negatives; it must have solutions and we believe that Bermuda's young adults have the ability to be a positive force for this Island.'' He denied that the letter ever asks for support or that the questionnaire included asks them to join the party.

Mr. Gibbons said: "It asks for help in identifying the issues which concern them. The UBP lowered the voting age and has a responsibility in ensuring that as many younger voters as possible participate in the democratic process in this country.''