One minister vying to become Bermuda’s next leader warned that the ruling party is on the verge of implosion while a fellow leadership contender has condemned “vitriolic” comments and rumours circulating during the campaign.

Jason Hayward, the Minister of Economy and Labour, acknowledged “division” within the party and said there was “no doubt” there were disagreements about direction.

Meanwhile, fellow Progressive Labour Party leadership hopeful Curtis Dickinson, a backbencher and former finance minister, expressed his deep concern over what his team have seen and heard during the campaign.

The origin of “hateful language” and “unsubstantiated rumours” and even threats was not specified, but Mr Dickinson called on his supporters and “all participating in the process” to better conduct themselves.

Speaking outside the Bermuda Industrial Union on Labour Day, Mr Hayward called on union members to rally behind the party.

He said: “There are wounds in our party that have been allowed to deepen and there is a danger that our internal disagreements become so consuming that we lose sight of the reason the PLP exists in the first place.

“I’m here to simply say we cannot allow that to happen. We cannot allow personal disagreements to become permanent political divisions.

“We cannot allow for ambition to overcome purpose. We cannot allow for internal battles to destroy the institution that has helped generations of Bermudians get ahead.

“And, most importantly, we cannot allow for the labour party to be disconnected from the labour movement.

“Because if the PLP weakened, it is not simply just a political organisation that is weakened. It is the voice of the people that is weakened as well.

“To my union brothers and sisters, you simply cannot stand on the sidelines, while the labour party is on the verge of imploding.

“We must remember who we are. You must, as our labour unions, remind us who we are.

“Let’s not forget, we are the party for working class people in Bermuda. We are the party that believes that government must be an instrument for opportunity.

“We believe that economic success must be shared. We believe that workers deserve dignity. We believe that families deserve security.

“We believe that our precious children deserve opportunity. We believe that our seniors deserve respect. We believe that economic development must go hand in hand with social development.”

Mr Hayward said the values of the party he joined were justice, equity, solidarity, empowerment, opportunity, dignity, democracy and progress.

He added: “Those values are bigger than any individual. They are bigger than me. They are bigger than any leadership contest we may be going through. They are bigger than any fraction. They belong to this movement and it’s our responsibility to collectively protect them.”

Mr Hayward’s comments came after Mr Dickinson took court action to block progress on a membership process he said was contrary to the party’s constitution.

This followed a proposal put forward by David Burt, the PLP leader and Premier, at a central committee meeting last month that those who publicly campaigned against the party in the past two general elections should be prevented from automatically becoming members. The proposal also sought to block those who have been party members for less than a year from becoming delegates.

In a statement yesterday afternoon, Mr Dickinson said: “Divisive WhatsApp messages, vitriolic and personal comments, unsubstantiated rumours, hateful language and, most seriously, threats have no place in the PLP. I condemn this behaviour without reservation.

“Let me also be absolutely clear; this does not represent me, my campaign, or the values upon which we are asking people to support us.”

Mr Dickinson called on everyone supporting his campaign and participating in the process to conduct themselves with “dignity, discipline and respect”.

He added: “Let us disagree without becoming divided. Let us campaign without becoming cruel. And let us remember that when this leadership process ends, we are still one PLP family.”

Mr Dickinson insisted last week that the legal action was taken “with great reluctance” and after efforts were made to find a resolution internally.

He said then: “The constitution of the PLP is the foundation of our party, reflecting the values, principles and democratic traditions that have guided generations of members.

“It must be respected. If those rules are to change, the membership must have a voice and a fair opportunity to participate in that process.”