Sean Pitcher is the new chairman of the United Bermuda Party after winning handsomely against Terry West, Kirby Brackstone and David Sullivan in a vote by more than 100 party colleagues on Tuesday night.

Mr. Pitcher said he intends to drive through an agenda for change to broaden the party's appeal.

He said: "Without change, we will remain in opposition and that, for me, is not good enough. We are in politics, we are members of this great party to lead this country. We are here together because we care about its future and all who are in it. We want to ensure children are given the best opportunities to live fulfilling lives and that families can provide for their loved ones."

But he said changes would not work unless they helped connect the party more closely to the interests of everyday people. Mr. Pitcher, a former deputy chairman, replaces Michael Fahy who was promoted to the Senate to replace MP Charlie Swan.

A former customs officer who is now Operations and Marketing manager at Container Ship Management, Mr. Pitcher fought the Pembroke East seat at the last election and is now tipped to stand in one of the east end marginals next time around.

He told colleagues it was time for action after all the talking and he also pledged to rebuild the branches and bring in young people.