Trevor Moniz is the new Deputy Leader of the Opposition.

Mr. Moniz, MP for Smith's West and Shadow Labour and Immigration Minister, steps into the position vacated by Cole Simons on Friday.

His nomination was unchallenged and United Bermuda Party Leader Kim Swan said his appointment represented a working consensus on "the need for change".

Announcing Mr. Moniz's elevation to the deputy leadership, UBP chairman Michael Fahy said it would also help to strengthen the Party by addressing internal reform.

Mr. Moniz was a member of the Way Forward Committee which formed after last year's general election to find ways to broaden Party support. Its subsequent The Way Forward review aims to help the Opposition become electable again following three defeats at the polls.

"This is an exciting development because Mr. Moniz has been on the sharp-end of the need for reform," said Mr. Fahy.

"After months of discussions, I am looking forward to working with him on a programme for change."

Mr. Swan said: "We are joining hands to move this Party and the country forward. Trevor is a strong voice on the need for change. I have listened to him in meetings and I know he is committed to providing Bermudians with the most effective representation possible."

He described Mr. Simons as "a great team player". "The fact that he stood aside for a new Deputy Leader speaks volumes about his sense of duty, his self confidence and his belief in the team," he said.

Mr. Simons, MP for Smith's South and Shadow Environment Minister, said he stood aside to advance the agenda for change.

"This is about unity and change to strengthen the United Bermuda Party and its appeal to voters," said Mr. Simons.

"Politics, for me, has never been about self; rather it is about my team, my colleagues and doing what is right for our constituents. That is the spirit which led me to remove my name from the affirmation process."

The UBP's constitution requires the Deputy Leader to be reaffirmed by the Parliamentary group each October. Mr. Simons's popularity recently dropped, according to a Research.bm poll this month. The survey showed nine percent of people had a 'favourable impression' of Mr. Simons, compared to 15 percent three months ago. The same survey showed Mr. Swan's approval rating had also fallen, from 36 to 30 percent.

Mr. Moniz is currently off-Island, but in a statement he said: "I want to help the Party embrace change. With the support of my colleagues I will do whatever I can to help the Party broaden its appeal and its base of support.

"All of us are committed to this mission and I'm looking forward to the work. We've absorbed the lessons of the last election and we are looking forward."

In the 2007 election, the UBP saw its share of the vote slip by around one percent to 47.2 percent. It gained 14 Parliamentary seats - the same as in 2003.

The Party is said to be split between reformist MPs, who have at times called for a name change and for a new party to be formed, and those who want to retain the current structure.

Mr. Moniz – who is considered a reformist, was first elected to the House of Assembly in 1993 and is an advocate for transparency and accountability in government.