The Progressive Labour Party's only white female election candidate revealed last night that she has encountered "extremely hurtful" comments from "racist" white United Bermuda Party supporters while canvassing.

Jane Correia, who is running in Smith's South, told a Progressive Labour Party meeting: "What a ride this has been. It has been incredible. I have had real highs and unfortunately some real lows.

"It's an interesting experience putting yourself out as a white candidate for the PLP when unfortunately people in this country are still not prepared to look beyond colour."

The 45-year-old mother-of-two told The Royal Gazette after the meeting at Somersfield Academy that her decision to stand for the PLP had angered many whites who were openly racist about the party when she visited their homes.

"It's been such an education for me," she said. "It's been an eye opener because I really do wonder how they would treat a black UBP candidate out canvassing. I really have had some horrible experiences and I'm actually ashamed that there are white people in this day and age that would even think and behave in this manner."

Ms Correia said many people had chastised her for running for the PLP with one woman issuing a stream of "unkind" comments which she asked to be passed on to party leadership, minus her name. She said that at a soccer game a fellow parent at Somersfield asked her: "How can a parent of Somersfield Academy be running for the PLP?" Ms Correia said the woman started laughing when she asked what was meant by the question.

She said many of the remarks had been "extremely hurtful" and that she had tried and failed to change people's minds.

"That's what I find the saddest," she said. "They are not even willing to open their minds."

She added: "I find it boggling why people should have to look at you as a race and decide which party you should run for. It should be more about what you believe in."

Former Attorney General Larry Mussenden, who is standing for the PLP in adjoining Smith's West, told last night's packed meeting: "I would like to really acknowledge to you that it takes a brave lion, a brave heart and a brave soul to do what Jane has done."

He said the PLP had never had a policy of keeping white people out and the party remained open to everyone. "I'd like to say: 'you just stick with it, sister!'," he said.

"She's going to get voted in and she will be a Progressive Labour Party MP out there and she will serve everybody in her constituency."

Ms Correia is running against incumbent Cole Simons in constituency eight. It was too late to contact him for comment by the time the meeting finished last night.

Last night's town hall meeting was also for voters in constituencies seven and nine. All three seats have never been won by PLP candidates, voters were told, but meeting chairman Roderick Burchall said the aim was to get a hat trick on December 18.

Mr. Mussenden is up against incumbent Trevor Moniz in constituency nine with the Premier's Chief of Staff Wayne Caines, a senator in the last Government, the candidate in Hamilton South battling the UBP's Darius Tucker.

The meeting also heard from LaVerne Furbert, PLP candidate for Pembroke South West, who said she regretted her decision to run. "I'm very sorry that I made that decision because (of) the lies I hear on talk radio," she said.