Third party MP Shawn Crockwell yesterday said he will probably stay in Pembroke West for the next General Election — and try to oust the United Bermuda Party from one of its strongholds.

Mr. Crockwell said people in some of the constituency's most hard-core UBP areas had welcomed his idea to quit the party and start his own venture with fellow defecting MPs Donte Hunt and Mark Pettingill.

He says while canvassing ahead of Sunday night's resignation, many residents told him they were relieved at the prospect of voting for a party that is neither the Progressive Labour Party nor the UBP.

Mr. Crockwell said it is too early to decide which new party candidates will run in which seats, but as things stand he is looking toward staying in Constituency 19, where he beat Walton Brown of the PLP in December 2007.

Representing the UBP, he claimed 57 percent of the votes — and believes while he would lose support from some UBP diehards he would still get enough to retain his seat.

"I strategically canvassed in predominantly UBP areas and was very surprised at the responses from the individuals," Mr. Crockwell told The Royal Gazette.

"They seemed surprised at what I said I was doing, but also relieved. They were relieved they did not have to vote for the UBP because they also felt they could not vote for the PLP. They all pledged their support for me going forward.

"Whether or not that means they will vote for me when it matters is another thing. But to have my entire branch resign in support says a lot, and the members of the UBP and constituents in Pembroke West were not opposed with me at all.

"I would say I have demonstrated to the people I'm a quality candidate. I think the response of the past few days has been overwhelming, from people saying how glad they are this is happening."

UBP Leader Kim Swan and his remaining MP colleagues have not publicly attacked the defecting trio, but some commentators have criticised them for leaving behind the constituents who voted for them under the UBP umbrella.

The defectors argue they have received a positive reaction from constituents and have retained support from their branches — meaning there is no need for them to resign their seats.

Outgoing PLP chairman David Burt, who has previously stated the importance of defining your political opponent, has not commented to this newspaper about the development.

His party's website yesterday said it was pleased to welcome the third party but also dismissed it as a "new investment vehicle for the same, old long-standing opponents of the PLP to try and regain power".

The defecting MPs, who are joined by former UBP Senator Michael Fahy, former chairman Sean Pitcher and former adopted candidate Wayne Scott, have so far released few details about their manifesto or the people with them in the project.

Mr. Crockwell said those details will likely be revealed next week and should counter the PLP's dismissal of the group as another UBP.