Bermuda Democratic Alliance MP Shawn Crockwell says he was on the end of some austere remarks from disgruntled United Bermuda Party supporters when he quit his old party last year.

Some raised fears the Progressive Labour Party could pinch seats it has traditionally had no chance in because of the BDA splitting the UBP vote, Mr. Crockwell told The Royal Gazette. But he claims many of his Pembroke West constituents have said they understand his reason for quitting the UBP to "put the national interests over the interests of a party".

The lawyer has said he's likely to stay in Constituency 19 at the next General Election, which would pit him against former Opposition MP Erwin Adderley and a PLP candidate so far not announced — but he said the BDA is still carefully deciding where to field its candidates.

"Just prior to making the switch, I came out and tested the waters. I was very pleased to learn that quite a few people supported the idea," said Mr. Crockwell, who left the UBP last September and helped found the BDA in November.

"Without question there were quite a few, particularly older people who were still members of the UBP, who felt a sense of betrayal. I understand that. But I think sometimes you have to put the national interests over the interests of a party."

Asked about the feedback since then, he replied: "The reaction has been mixed. Many of the younger members seem to be more in support.

"We had a meeting three or four months ago; we invited predominantly UBP members. The primary question was the fact that I had run under the UBP banner and they wanted me to explain that.

"The other question they were very concerned about was what the three candidates would do at the next election, and if this move would ultimately give the constituency to the PLP.

"A few were a bit austere in their remarks. We had a frank discussion. I think it went very well and they understood very well that my objection is still to try to find a strong democracy in this Country and hopefully ultimately remove the Government."

Before the last election, Mr. Adderley and Mr. Crockwell both wanted to represent the UBP in Pembroke West.

The UBP is said to have picked Mr. Crockwell, then 36, over Mr. Adderley, then 67, because he represented the younger face of the party.

Opposition Leader Kim Swan last week argued Bermuda now needs experienced hands at the wheel because of its spiralling economic and social difficulties.

Mr. Crockwell told this newspaper the Alliance is weighing up how its chances would be affected in individual seats running against both the UBP and the PLP.

"We have to be smart about what we do," he said.

When this newspaper visited Pembroke West with Mr. Crockwell for this week's Up Your Street, one man called out: "Crockwell, you've got my vote."

When we canvassed in the absence of the MP, opinion was less set in stone, with one man saying: "I don't care who it is, they are all more interested in themselves," and another commenting: "They won't do anything for us here anyway."