First elected in 1993 in the dual-member seat of Hamilton West, Wayne Furbert became Community and Cultural Affairs Minister under John Swan and also served as Transport Minister and Minister of Health, Social Services and Housing.

He lost his seat in the 1998 PLP landslide but was re-elected to the smaller, one-member seat of Hamilton West in 2003, and became leader of the UBP in 2006.

However a year later he was replaced by Michael Dunkley.

Mr. Furbert held Hamilton West in 2007 but declared the UBP would never win again and a new party needed to be formed.

His message seemed to be supported by some less vocal members in the UBP but as they have been promoted, Mr. Furbert has been increasingly isolated.

He was further castigated when he derided the choice of Charlie Swan as UBP candidate in the Southampton West Central by-election.

An attempt to boot him out of the parliamentary party failed to get the necessary two-thirds majority.

However, upset by the lack of change, Mr. Furbert resigned yesterday.