Senator LaVerne Furbert last night described Bermuda Democratic Alliance leader Craig Cannonier as "just a voice crying out in the wilderness" after he questioned the Premier's choices for the Upper Chamber.

Mr. Cannonier issued a statement criticising Premier Paula Cox for failing to inject new life into the Cabinet and asking whether real change was on the cards for Bermuda.

He added: "Like you Bermuda, I too question some of our Senate appointments, especially if the conversation and divisiveness is to change in this country."

Sen. Furbert was appointed a new member of the Upper Chamber on Monday by Ms Cox, along with Cromwell Shakir and David Burt. Ministers Kim Wilson and David Burch were reappointed.

Mr. Cannonier would not expand on his remark last night when asked which Senate appointments he opposed.

"I'm not going to start naming names," he said. "It's very, very obvious. If you walk the streets you hear everybody saying what I have put in there."

Sen. Furbert told The Royal Gazette that Mr. Cannonier ought to "get his party to decide who is in fact the leader of the BDA, he or [chairman] Michael Fahy," and get elected to Parliament or appointed to the Senate.

"Otherwise, he is just a voice crying out in the wilderness," the Progressive Labour Party stalwart said. "At this point in time, Craig Cannonier really has no credibility when it comes to the politics of Bermuda."

Sen. Furbert claimed Mr. Cannonier "has no authority and, frankly, no political background to make a critical assessment of any of the appointments to the Senate".

She continued: "I've told Mr. Cannonier on more than one occasion that he has missed his calling and his statement on the new Cabinet and the appointments to the Senate by the Premier has more than proven my point.

"All three new appointees to the Senate can run circles around Mr. Cannonier without even trying. I would suggest that Mr. Cannonier use less words and more critical thinking when he responds to the media.

"But, more than anything, I would suggest that he concentrate his efforts and energy in making the BDA a 'real' opposition party.

"As far as divisiveness goes, Mr. Cannonier is well aware that this country was divided along social, race, economic and political lines long before any of the recent PLP senators were born."