Defeated leadership candidate Dale Butler will focus on his constituency after bemoaning the "voice of the little man" was rejected at last Thursday night's Progressive Labour Party election.

Mr. Butler, who also missed out on a place in Cabinet, threw his support behind new Premier Paula Cox's team, which he hopes will tackle social issues and help small businesses.

But on his Facebook page the former Social Rehabilitation Minister expressed grave disappointment his ream of social pledges merited just two votes — one of them his own — as Ms Cox stormed to victory with 124 votes and Terry Lister got 39.

"A working class party filled with professionals rejected the only candidate who talked about all the issues from race, entertainment, the appointment of a green Senator who would be a spiritual counsellor to the Cabinet; sailing and swimming as a third national sport. You must be kidding me," wrote Mr. Butler in the aftermath of the result.

"What is labour worth? 2 votes. What are the homeless worth? 2 votes."

He followed that up yesterday with: "The Cabinet has been picked. Let's rally behind each Minister and Senator to ensure the job gets done."

Reflecting yesterday, the Warwick North East MP told The Royal Gazette: "I will continue to work for the people of Warwick North East.

"My platform of social issues was rejected and with it the voice of the little man and business. The Government and its Ministers will now tackle both, which are in meltdown, and we all have to rally behind our Bermuda team.

"We would like to thank the many Bermudians who have been supportive and who donated canned goods for the homeless. As I stated, 'after all is said and done, let's feed the homeless'."

One Progressive Labour Party member at the conference said Mr Butler was doing well until near the end of his speech, when he said he'd appoint United Bermuda Party stalwarts Grant Gibbons and John Barritt to his team.

Another said party members were insulted Dr Gibbons and Mr Barritt could be suggested as ambassadors to the United States when there are perfectly suitable black Bermudians waiting for such opportunities.

That source added that many did not take Mr Butler's approach seriously, especially as he delivered his speech in a captain's hat.

"He was entertaining," said the delegate, before adding: "There is time for comedy, and that wasn't it."

Meanwhile backbencher Wayne Perinchief — who also missed out on Cabinet — yesterday declared his interest in the Deputy Speaker position made vacant by Dame Jennifer Smith's appointment as Education Minister; Mr. Butler and backbenchers Walter Lister and Wayne Furbert have also been mentioned as possibilities for that role.

Mr. Perinchief vowed to continue in Pembroke Central despite former Senator Walton Brown revealing his intention to challenge for that seat in yesterday's Royal Gazette.

The former Policeman, who had been touted for a possible return in Culture, said: "It's a conservative Cabinet, a very safe one. No complaints really. It looks like a strong Cabinet.

"Contrary to what might have been said in the newspaper, I'm going to continue where I am. Any thoughts that I will be leaving 17 [Pembroke Central] should be put to rest."

Asked about his role as a backbencher, he replied: "There's other possibilities. The Deputy Speaker position is going begging."