Community activist Eva Hodgson is urging the Progressive Labour Party to stop focusing on personalities and concentrate on helping an underclass which has emerged under its watch.

As a third leadership contest in seven years approaches — and with young PLP members hoping to force veteran MPs out of the House of Assembly — Dr. Hodgson is frustrated her party has taken its eye off the ball.

"I'm concerned that their emphasis is once more on personalities rather than on issues," she told The Royal Gazette.

"Whether you are young or old, what are the issues you are going to address? One of our biggest problems at the moment is the emergence of what Larry Burchall called an underclass.

"The underclass exists because from the beginning the PLP never addressed the inevitable economic disparity which arises from Bermuda's history."

Dr. Hodgson says that before party politics began in the 1960s, people fought single-mindedly for social justice, with the Progressive Group dismantling segregation in a matter of days.

However, since the PLP and United Bermuda Party formed, she says the Island's leaders have seemed more interested in internal bickering and courting votes than creating change.

And after its historic election win in 1998, she says the PLP has been distracted by a succession of power struggles, from the ousting of Dame Jennifer Smith immediately after the 2003 General Election, through Ewart Brown's toppling of Alex Scott in 2006, to almost constant threats of leadership challenges during Dr. Brown's tenure.

Already a number of names have cropped up as contenders to replace Dr. Brown this October, while according to 28-year-old Makai Dickerson about 25 young members are ready to push for seats at the next election.

Meanwhile in some corners of the Island homelessness continues to grow and families are living in increasingly overcrowded conditions, with swarms of young black males out of work and gang violence escalating.

"With all the various programmes we have seen, there's never been a definitive policy of addressing the economic disparity," said Dr. Hodgson.

"It's a disaster that it's under the 11 years of the PLP Government that an underclass has emerged."

She describes relief for senior citizens and economic empowerment zones as "bits and pieces" which have not benefited the entire community, while the workforce equity bill has disappeared from the forefront.

"When they came to power they had the chance to introduce a minimum wage and affirmative action. They didn't do it," said the race campaigner.

"The white community will resist anything that we attempt to bring about justice, but once it happens they will accept it, like they did with the end of segregation."