Political activist Khalid Wasi has called on the United Bermuda Party's financial backers to pull their funding and instead support an entirely new political party.

The entrepreneur and one-time Independent candidate spoke to The Royal Gazette in response to recent focus groups held by the UBP as part of a drive to reform the Opposition.

Mr. Wasi, who has also gone under the name Raymond Davis, believes the UBP is beyond reform, and asks that the party's supporters pool their resources for a new organisation.

"They've been fumbling with these issues for years," he said of the UBP's recent focus group initiative. "They're not hearing anything they haven't heard before. They've heard it from me. The financial support, and the basic support, needs to be channeled in another direction entirely. What needs to happen is people with means and resources need to invest in a whole new scheme or arrangement. People need to withdraw the funds. UBP MPs themselves are not culpable but they will continue if they've got something to go with."

Mr. Wasi said the only way to encourage both blacks and whites to vote for a new party would be for the UBP to fold.

"It would make way for a broad base of support to fill that vacuum," he said. "So long as a UBP and PLP exist, a choice of a third party doesn't work. It has nil chance."

Mr. Wasi speaks from experience, having won just 24 votes as an Independent in last December's Southampton West Central by-election, as the public voted overwhelmingly for the UBP or PLP.

He was vague as to whether he himself would be willing to lead a new party, but offered his support to those looking to set one up.

"I'm very willing to work with any people that want that," he said. "My position is, I'm reluctant to get involved with any move to create a third entity as long as there is this huge buy-in of the UBP. I think there are people on both sides of the equation that want something better. The issue is how to forge it. I'm not just talking about reforming the Opposition because it can't be reformed. It needs to evaporate. I'm calling for a whole new party, a new organisation. I don't like to say 'party' as it connotes special interest. I use the word 'congress' as it empowers people more. It's more about liberty, and less hierarchical. Right now people want to be empowered. In the system I envision, voice does matter."

Mr. Wasi did not lay all the blame for the current state of local politics on a weak Opposition.

"The PLP format excludes people you can govern without the consent of the Party, the caucus, the members, or the people," he said, referencing the recent Uighur transfer controversy. "We've had a system that serves special interests, first with the UBP and now with the PLP. It's systemic that's the way it is. The whole notion of how we sense governance and the rights of individuals needs to change. The only way that can happen is a fresh effort and a whole new vision."

He added that he "really sympathises" with Independent MP Wayne Furbert, who will face a tough decision when the next General Election is called.

"If the UBP doesn't fold and a General Election is called, it is not likely he can win a seat as an Independent," he said. "He has a choice of going home to the UBP or choosing the PLP."

Mr. Furbert hinted at the possibility of a move to the PLP in a June interview with The Royal Gazette.

Mr. Wasi called recent attempts by the Opposition, Bermudian demonstrators and four PLP MPs to oust Dr. Brown as leader "wasted energy".

"People need to focus on the creation of a new Bermuda, a new way forward," he said. "Even Dr. Brown would recognise this is the better alternative to what he is currently facing."