Newly elected Bermuda Democratic Alliance leader Craig Cannonier issued a rallying cry for Bermudians to "wake up" and stop the Island falling into a volcano of social problems.

Mr. Cannonier stormed to a 157-38 victory over Myron Piper amid cheers and screams from a crowd of 325 at BDA's first party conference on Saturday night.

The East End-based businessman — who won members' overwhelming support with a preacher-style delivery pledging to tackle crime and improve education and stressing his pride in Bermuda — used his victory speech to call for the Island's leaders to stop their obsession with self-promotion.

"Bermuda stands on the edge of a live volcano. The rumblings that we are experiencing are unprecedented," Mr. Cannonier told the audience at Fairmont Southampton.

"A few days ago a man fell into [Mount] St. Helens volcano as he posed for a picture at the rim of the crater. This is a warning to all of us that these precarious times do not call for the routine photo-ops.

"We stand near the rim of the crater that could erupt. We can ill afford to ignore the rumblings of the social tensions; the unrivalled violence and the unprecedented financial problems.

"Now is not the time for political posturing or seeking photo opportunities. Listen, this man fell 2,000 feet into St. Helens volcano and had to be rescued. Who is going to rescue our current politicians who underestimate the dangers of flirting with disaster for the sake of their own self-promotion?

"Wake up folks. Bermuda must be saved. Not a politician. Not a political party. The time for grandstanding is over. The magnitude of the problems must be taken seriously."

Mr. Cannonier, who is the first non-MP to lead any of Bermuda's political parties, was well backed by family and friends from St. David's — ironically the constituency where Mr. Piper was considering running at the next General Election.

Education activist Mr. Piper vowed to stay with the party and work with Mr. Cannonier, but expressed surprise at the result and said he would take time to decide what his involvement would be.

He said Mr. Cannonier's clear support in Constituency Three would make him a likely election winner in that seat.

Mr. Cannonier's speech also called for togetherness in addressing unemployment, affordable home shortages and failing education and health systems.

"How do we ensure that the benefits of economically sound and sustainable industries are shared among all of us?" he said.

"I believe that there is a better way that calls for us to meet around the table and together share our ideas and seek solutions that are for the common good of all of us."

Echoing a constant theme since Shawn Crockwell, Donte Hunt and Mark Pettingill quit the United Bermuda Party last September to form their new party, Mr. Cannonier called for an end to the "us against them" nature of Bermuda politics.

"We have been fooled by the rhetorics that pits blacks against whites; working class against middle class; old against young; back of town against Front Street," he said.

"And now we see our young people mirroring this 'us against them' mentality another step further in the territorialism of gangs.

"Some of us have allowed ourselves to be hoodwinked into believing that it's you against me. We have been encouraged to view our circumstances and situations from a different set of lenses.

"What if we were to view our challenges from the perspective that we are all in this together? What if we were to really adopt the mindset that we are our brothers' and sisters' keepers, rather than thinking that we must compete against each other?

"What if we understood the value and importance of complimenting each other? There is a better way."

Yesterday afternoon, Mr. Piper told The Royal Gazette in a statement: "I was somewhat surprised by the results of the election and as such I will take time to reflect and decide on what's next for me.

"As chairman of the education committee for the BDA I have orchestrated the education platform and will support and endorse the release of that platform. In my opinion the BDA continues to be the only hope in transcending Bermuda into an inclusive and just society.

"It is now the responsibility as new party leader of Mr. Cannonier to hold and shape this party into the will of the people.

"While Mr. Cannonier and I are friends, we have different styles and based on the large St. David's turnout of Mr. Cannonier's family and friends I think he may want to run in Constituency Three where I believe he would in all likelihood win.

"Although my support for the party will continue, my involvement may change. A leader has to lead. We will meet in the coming week to discuss things going forward. I wish to congratulate my friend in his victory and wish him all the best, which I have already done personally."

Founding member Michael Fahy, who quit as UBP chairman along with the three MPs, was made the Alliance's first chairman after Granville Gibbons pulled out of the running in support of Mr. Fahy.

Kathy Michelmore was made deputy chair earlier last week by acclamation.