Shadow Health Minister Louise Jackson has angrily dismissed rumours she will give up her Parliamentary seat to make way for ousted former Opposition leader Michael Dunkley.

"No, no, no. What part of the word 'no' doesn't the Island understand?" said Mrs. Jackson when asked whether she would be resigning her Pembroke South West post to allow Mr. Dunkley a route back into politics.

Mrs. Jackson, who is in her mid 70s and is Bermuda's oldest Member of Parliament, said talk over her future was ageist and stressed she has the full support of her party.

The pensioner — who has earned a reputation as a thorn in the Progressive Labour Party's side for her vigorous campaigning on health and elderly issues — said she was among a wave of seniors capable of playing a key role in Bermuda well into their 70s, 80s and 90s.

It comes after Mr. Dunkley said he wanted to continue serving his country less than two weeks after his failure to remove the PLP's Patrice Minors from her Smith's North seat at the General Election.

Before the election, a UBP source had indicated the seat — which Mrs. Jackson won with 711 votes compared to PLP candidate LaVerne Furbert's 145 — might be handed over to another Opposition politician if the party lost badly at the polls.

Yesterday, Mrs. Jackson said: "Forget that. I don't know how many times I have said it. I don't know how many times I have to say it. No. No.

"I certainly have not worked for the last four and a half years for my constituency to do that. I certainly have not been working 24-7 for the people of Pembroke South West and for the people of Bermuda, with particular reference to seniors and healthcare, to stop now.

"I place this in the category of terrible ageism. I defy anybody to stand in front of me and get one over me intellectually or politically. This business that you are too old so you have to step aside ... people need to get real.

"They are going to have to get used to it. People in their 70s, 80s and 90s are still viable."

Mr. Dunkley has previously said no conversation has taken place regarding the future of the Pembroke South West seat.

Asked whether anybody at the party had suggested she step down, Mrs. Jackson replied: "Never. Never."

Asked if any reassurance had been made she would not be pressured to quit, she said: "I don't need any reassurance. My party is solidly behind me."

Mrs. Jackson declined to comment on the future of the UBP. Party members are due to meet early this month to discuss the appointment of a new leader among other issues in the wake of the party's 22-14 election defeat.

Interim leader Patricia Gordon-Pamplin, former leader Wayne Furbert and chairman Shawn Crockwell have all ruled themselves out of the running as new leader, with Mr. Crockwell saying every option is on the table, including the disbanding of the party.