The United Bermuda Party yesterday tabled a motion of no confidence against Premier Ewart Brown.

MPs are now preparing to vote on whether Dr. Brown should be kicked out because of his "reckless, autocratic and unaccountable" leadership style.

Opposition leader Kim Swan said the Premier's actions over the Guantánamo Bay affair — in which he failed to consult with the Governor or UK before bringing four Chinese Muslim prisoners to the Island — was just another example illustrating why he must be removed.

Eighteen votes will be required to pass the motion of no confidence, which the UBP hopes will be debated in the House of Assembly next Friday.

That would mean 13 UBP MPs and five others from the Progressive Labour Party or independent MP Wayne Furbert.

The UBP will hope for support from former Premier Alex Scott and former Cabinet Ministers Randolph Horton and Wayne Perinchief, who last month led a backbench attack on the Premier at a PLP caucus meeting, amid reports constituents have lost faith in him.

Other PLP MPs including Patrice Minors have refused to back his bill to allow gambling on cruise ships, while yesterday backbencher Ashfield DeVent was one of a host to speak out against his Guantánamo Bay move.

Backbenchers Dennis Lister, Neletha Butterfield and Michael Scott have all been axed from Cabinet by the Premier at some stage, while Dr. Brown was instrumental in ousting Premier Dame Jennifer Smith immediately after the PLP's General Election victory in 2003.

Dr. Brown's potential successor, Deputy Premier Paula Cox, who has confirmed she is interested in the leadership but not stated when, yesterday told the House she felt "politically neutered" by the events of the past few days.

Tabling the motion yesterday, Mr. Swan told the House: "I raise to introduce a motion of no confidence that this House has no confidence in the Government led by Premier Ewart Brown."

Mr. Swan added in a press statement: "Why have we moved a motion of no confidence?

"The public affairs of Bermuda are increasingly subject to the politics of one man rule under the Premier, Dr. Ewart Brown. We consider this unhealthy and not in Bermuda's best interest.

"This is not just about Uighurs in Bermuda, though that issue typifies a style of leadership that is reckless, autocratic and conducted with no sense of accountability to the people or, indeed, to Bermuda's Constitution. "The motion reflects concerns held by the general public but also our long-standing concerns about a host of public issues that have not been well managed.

"What we are seeking with this motion is a change of leadership for Bermuda — not necessarily a change of Government at this time — but a change that can get this Island back on a steady course, where we no longer are distracted by the antics of one man, where we can collectively get together, roll up our sleeves and start working on solutions that are best for Bermuda."

Veteran Opposition MP John Barritt said the UBP had tried to debate the issue yesterday, but were turned down by Speaker Stanley Lowe as it is conventional to wait two weeks before motions are debated. He said the party would try again next Friday.

Mr. Barritt told The Royal Gazette: "In circumstances like this, where we have called into question the authority of the leader, it should be put to a vote at the earliest opportunity."

He said if the motion is passed he would expect the Premier to tender his resignation, with Governor Sir Richard Gozney appointing a replacement. "This move is unusual and rare in Bermuda historically, but in the circumstances it is the appropriate measure to put down," added Mr. Barritt.

The Premier's Press Secretary Glenn Jones ignored our request for a comment yesterday, but Dr. Brown wrote on his Facebook page, under the headline 'UBP sinks to a new low': "Imagine how the poor, innocent stateless refugees feel right now.

"Even though they're innocent, a venomous political opposition is spewing ire toward them and making them feel unwelcome with their angry attacks.

"We know that this wasn't a popular decision but we also believe that acting morally and being humanitarians are neither indictments nor are they reasons for conviction. The UBP is using the PLP Government's humanitarianism to try to bring down the Government. When others turned their backs on these innocent refugees, Bermuda extended a helping hand.

"This selfless act shows what a compassionate and humanitarian Government this is. The UBP is attacking a humanitarian gesture to indulge their thirst for power.

"The UBP acknowledges the importance of maintaining good relations with Washington. Yet, they're using a gesture of good will that strengthened our relationship with President Obama and his administration at a critical time as a reason for a vote of no confidence!

"It was the Obama administration that praised Bermuda for this humanitarian gesture saying that they were 'extremely grateful' to us and that they 'commend the leadership' Bermuda has demonstrated on this issue.

"It's sad that Kim Swan, Trevor Moniz and the rest of the UBP believe that compassion, humanitarianism and stronger relations with the Obama Administration are grounds for a vote of no confidence."

His Facebook friends gave a mixed response, including: "Thank you, I agree,"; "This link needs to be renamed 'Premier Brown sinks to a new low'"; and "The low here is yours Dr. Brown."

¦ Thirteen years ago, United Bermuda Party Premier David Saul was humiliatingly censured by the House following a vote pushed through by rebel MPs angry over the McDonald's issue.

The group of Government dissidents dubbed 'The People's Five' won by 21 votes to 16 in the first censuring of a member of the House since the 1968 Constitution.

United Bermuda Party rebels Jim Woolridge, Clarence Terceira, Ann Cartwright DeCouto, David Dyer and Trevor Moniz sided with the then Opposition Progressive Labour Party to pass the motion.

Constitutionally, Dr. Saul was not affected by the censure, but his position was weakened and he later resigned.

The motion against Dr. Saul came after Government's controversial decision to approve a bid by Grape Bay — whose principals include former Premier Sir John Swan — to operate McDonald's restaurants in Bermuda.

Dr. Saul was accused of failing to protect Bermuda's restaurants and lunch wagons by backing a change in policy.

In addition, he was charged with failing to act on an anti-franchise petition and not appreciating the degree of public unease over the issue.